What Does the Bible Say About Race and Ethnicity?
What Does the Bible Say About Race and Ethnicity? The Bible teaches that all humans are created in God's image, descended from one blood, and equal before Him regardless of ethnicity.
Key verse: Acts 17:26 (KJV)
The Bible teaches that all humans are created in God's image, descended from one blood, and equal before Him regardless of ethnicity.
The Bible teaches that all humans are created in God's image, descended from one blood, and equal before Him regardless of 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)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
Scripture is clear that all humanity shares common origin and equal dignity. Acts 17:26 states that God 'hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.' Every person is created in God's image (Genesis 1:27), establishing inherent worth regardless of ethnicity. Galatians 3:28 declares, 'There is neither Jew nor Greek... for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.' The early church deliberately crossed ethnic barriers — Philip preaching to an Ethiopian (Acts 8), Peter going to Cornelius (Acts 10), and the multicultural church at Antioch (Acts 13:1). Revelation envisions heaven as including 'all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues' (Revelation 7:9). Racism contradicts the Bible's consistent teaching that God shows no partiality (Romans 2:11).
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Racism?
What the Bible teaches about racial equality, prejudice, and the unity of all people in Christ.
Key Scripture References
"And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth."
"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."
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
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Deep Dive Commentary
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Acts 2:42 Commentary
In-depth study • Early Church Life
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Acts. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Acts on day 309 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Race and Ethnicity?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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