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    In Context

    What Does the Bible Say About Racism — In Biblical Context

    The Bible teaches that all humans are one race made in God's image, that God shows no partiality, and that Christ unites people of every ethnicity.

    Quick Answer

    The Bible teaches that all humans are one race made in God's image, that God shows no partiality, and that Christ unites people of every ethnicity.

    "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth." — Acts 17:26 (KJV)

    The Biblical Context

    Scripture provides the strongest possible foundation against racism. All humanity descends from one couple (Acts 17:26: 'hath made of one blood all nations of men'). Every person is made in God's image (Genesis 1:27). God 'is no respecter of persons' (Acts 10:34). Peter learned this lesson dramatically when God sent him to the Gentile Cornelius, declaring 'What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common' (Acts 10:15). Paul proclaimed that in Christ 'there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free... for ye are all one in Christ Jesus' (Galatians 3:28). Revelation pictures the redeemed from 'every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation' (Revelation 5:9) worshipping together. The Bible condemns favoritism (James 2:1-9) and calls believers to love their neighbors regardless of ethnicity. Racism contradicts the Bible's fundamental teachings about human dignity and divine love.

    Where It Sits in Scripture

    The core passage for this question, Acts 17:26, sits inside Acts 17. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.

    "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth."
    — Acts 17:26 (KJV)

    Supporting Passages

    Galatians 3:28
    "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
    James 2:9
    "But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors."

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