[Pastor Ralph]

Q1. In the New Testament world, what class of humans were freed by payment of a redemption price or a ransom? Why do you think that Jesus, Peter, and Paul used this analogy in this week's theme verses. What about the Christian life does it help explain? Exposition

[Darleen Nelson]

In the New Testament world the humans who were freed by payment of the redemption price of ransom were slaves or prisoners of war. The use of the analogy made it easier to the people of these times and also of today, to see the relationship between the way these people were given freedom and the freedome from sin avialable for those who accept it. Those who were redeemed could have remained in slavery or as prisoners if they had not accepted their freedom. Likewise a sinner must accept the freedom Christ has provided or he will remain in his sin and cut off from God.

[Omie]

+ Slaves were owned, with no rights, and considered as property. A husband could be sold to one owner, his wife and children to another. Children that were born to slaves were slaves also. It was a perpetual inheritance. There was no escape.

+ The Jews understood slavery, Romans were aware of the horrors of it also. The analogy was that slaves could not escape, neither can we escape. Paul in Romans 7:21-25, writes how sin is a habit in him, one that can't be broken, nor is there any escape. He cries out, in his misery - then thanks God for Jesus, his and our Redeemer.

+ I (and you) are like Paul, neither can we escape sin's hold on us. We too are slaves to sin. Only Christ the perfect lamb's death can save us from ourselves.

[Bernard Baker]

It seems the slaves of sin were the ones that were freed and since all of us were born sinners, that includes all. Jesus, Peter and Paul understood what a great price or gift had been paid to set us free and to become servant of God. About the Christian life and explaining it, maybe as we look at the world situation, perhaps we haven't got it yet. "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved (douleuo) by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another." (Titus 3:3)

About the question of who the ransom was paid to? Wasn't it perhaps paid by th Father to His Body the Church?
In His Love, Bernard Baker

[jaunita]

In the New Testament world, what class of humans were freed by payment of a redemption price or a ransom? Why do you think that Jesus, Peter, and Paul used this analogy in this week's theme verses. What about the Christian life does it help explain? The New Testament speaks freely about something, we, living in a free country, have not witnessed, for a long time...This being slavery. People could be sold into slavery, or even born into slavery because of family debt. These would stay in slavery, either all their lives or until the debt was paid in full. The book of Hosea in the old testament, has always been a favorite for me, God tell's Hosea to take a wife, from among "The children of whoredoms", her name being Gomer. She, Gomer, proved to be an adulterous wife, which caused grief for Hosea because of his great love for her. Gomer ends up a slave, on the auction block in heart-felt misery. God sends Hosea to purchace her back. God used this example, of slavery, in speaking of Israel's back slidding & their playing the harlot. Just as God had Hosea purchace his wife, back from slavery, Jesus, because of His great love for us, has "Purchased us!", by His shed blood upon the Cross! We, who were once, slaves to sin, now can say we are free! We who once lived in darkness, are now called the children of light!...Praise His Wonderful Name!...

[photobug]

We are all born sinners. That malkes us slaves to sin. Jesus paid a price for our sins a gift to us No longer slaves to sin

[Kris Ann]

Quote

Q1. In the New Testament world, what class of humans were freed by payment of a redemption price or a ransom? Why do you think that Jesus, Peter, and Paul used this analogy in this week's theme verses. What about the Christian life does it help explain?

Slaves were very common in Jesus time. There were many ways in which one could be forced into slavery. The only way out was for someone to make purchase of a slave for the purpose of setting them free. I expect that this redemption price or ranson was most often provided by family members.

Since slavery was so prevalent in the days of the New Testament, Jesus, Peter, and Paul used the analogy of setting slaves free to explain how/why we need to be set free from sin by God. It was something they could relate to and understand.
[*]Just as they became slaves, serving the needs of others, through societal expectations that they could not overcome-
We all become slaves, serving the needs of society which often expects us to sin in order to remain socially acceptable.
[*]Just as so many of them became slaves, seemingly through no fault of their own-
It is all too easy to sin, often with excuses of good intentions and protective nature.
[*]But just as a family member would be willing to pay ransom for someone who was sold into slavery simply for being in dept or being a victim of war-
GOD is willing to pay the ransom for our sins.

Not only that, but He is willing to pay the ransom for sins of everyone. For in God's eyes, all sin is the same. All sin causes us to be separate from Him. Whether it be that we owe an unpaid dept to our neighbor, or that we committed murder without reason.

The Christain life is something that requires constant focus and prayer. It is too easy to wander from the path of God. But when we do, God is there to help us get back; to relieve us of the pain that we have brought upon ourselves, to bring us the love and joy and peace that He wants us to have.

Father God, just as you freed the slaves, please bring peace among the nations of today.

[Heather Lindwall]

Hello Everyone

In the New Testament world, what classes of human were freed by payment of a redemption price or a ransom?

During the lifetime of Jesus, most of the world He knew and traveled was ruled by the Romans. I am not a historian by ANY means, but I believe all of these lands came to be under Roman rule because of its aggressive acquisitiveness. The people in these conquered lands than became the slave property of the Romans.


Although these conquered peoples could fight to win back their sovereignty as nations, the classes of people freed by payment of a ransom or redemption price, were more likely the common poor who had fallen on hard times. For example a man whose crop had failed and who couldn’t pay his debts may well be jailed and need someone to pay his debt before he could be freed. A person might even lease himself for a period of time to redeem himself for debt owed. A person born into slavery, aspiring to become free, could himself save an agreed upon amount of money or goods, and pay for his own freedom, or someone else could also pay his ransom.


Why do you think that Jesus, Peter and Paul used this analogy in this week’s theme verses?

The people of that time period would quickly understand the idea of a payment being required for freedom, since slavery and harsh laws were well known to them. Although it was a new concept, the idea of their redemption through Christ’s blood as a sacrifice for them, had to be a very powerful idea, and used in analogy, it was more quickly understood.

What about the Christian life does it help explain?

I believe that I see more clearly that there was no way for me to ever pay the high cost of my own freedom from sin. It helps explain that Jesus was the only sacrifice that was precious enough to pay the debt. It helps explain the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the fact that we as Christians NO LONGER BELONG TO OURSELVES. 1 Corinthians 6: 19 and 20 says it best: “ Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.” This extraordinary gift of God’s Holy Spirit is only given to those who accept Christ as their Savior. It is now our responsibility, as fully redeemed souls to live for God, our Redeemer.

Peace and Love..............Heather

[leo]

Jesus, Peter and Paul used the analogy of slavery to illustrate our bondage to sin and the gravity of the price that Jesus had to pay to set us free from that bondage. The concept of slavery is a perfect analogy because we too, like the slaves that lived during their time, were born to slavery. We did not choose to be bonded to sin and the price that we had to pay for being sinners. When we were born, we were not given the choice whether or not we should live as a person bonded to sin. The slaves during their time too were mostly born as slaves because their family have been slaves for quite some time. We were only freed from that bondage primarily when Jesus Christ gave up His life for us on the cross and finally when we accepted Him as our Lord and Savior.

[Linda Stanley]

Pastor Ralph, on Feb 22 2003, 08:57 PM, said:

Q1. In the New Testament world, what class of humans were freed by payment of a redemption price or a ransom? Why do you think that Jesus, Peter, and Paul used this analogy in this week's theme verses. What about the Christian life does it help explain? Exposition

Slaves were the class of humans that were freed.Of the many diffrent ways becoming a slave warfare seems to be the most comon.This was slavery in the ancient world.
The theme verses used in this analogy was to let you know how precious the blood of Christ is,a lamb without blemish or defect.Silver and Gold will perish.The blood of Jesus Christ is giving you life forever,as christians we become free,free from the slavery of sin through Jesus Christ our saviour.We are know longer in bondage.

[nelda huffman]

Slaves were redeemed by payment of a ransom price. Jesus paid the debt to free us from our sins and what a Ransom price He paid to die upon that old rugged cross for all of our sins, so that we can be free of them. He made the sacrifice of his life so that ours can be released from the blemishes of sin and made whiter than snow.

[Helen Spaulding]

There were many in slavery in the time of Jesus. They could be redeemed, or bought, if the price could be raised that the master asked for them. However, Jews refused to see themselves as slaves except those who were bound in slavery until the year of Jubilee, when they had to be set free. In connection to slavery to sin, they could only be set free by the blood of a perfect lamb sacrifice. But an animal's blood could only cover the sin. Jesus, God's perfect lamb sacrifice for us, shed His blood for us to redeem us from our sin! Only He is perfect! Only He could do this--and He did it willingly! I can't begin to thank Him enough for His loving care that sets me free--for service He directs as well as eternal life with Him! I couldn't pay the price for my freedom from slavery to sin! Only He could free me! Thank you, Lord!

[Bob Wardrop]

Lesson 3:
Ques. 1 & 2: All humans who will enter into fellowship with Jesus are freed or better, are "emanicapted." It is the life of Jesus, His life of holiness and service, which emancipates our souls. As a Christian, we should be aware of the price paid and if we are aware, our service to life will reflect this fact.

Ques: 3: All who don't believe as well as those who claim to believe but fail in their belief are the slaves. One can be enslaved by a multitude of things. It was Jesus' self-sacrifice which will save His followers-if they accept His offering. We really don't knowwhy the slave-ransom isn't spelled out for us in Scripture. However, there are many other concepts that are also not spelled out. God, when we are ready, will spell out for us just what He knows that we can handle.

Ques 4: Actually we are not set free or released from slavery until we believe and accept Jesus as our Redeemer. When we do accept, then we are free but only as long as we continue to believe in Him. We need the Holy Spirit to help us keep this freedom because it is via tghe Holy Spirit that we are talking with God (Gen. 1:2). In Acts 5: 1-4, we find that the apostle Peter made it clear that Ananias did not lie to man, but to God. The person he lied to was the Holy Spirit; conclusion is obvious: the Holy Spirit is God!
Shalom.

[Mike Dickinson]

#3 Q1. In the New Testament world, what class of humans were freed by payment of a redemption price or a ransom? Why do you think that Jesus, Peter, and Paul used this analogy in this week's theme verses. What about the Christian life does it help explain?

Peter’s verses seem to point towards the Old Testament practice of paying a material price in order to redeem one’s life from the penalty of sin. An example of this is seen in the Old Testament laws where it was stated that if a man’s bull persistently gores people to death, the animal is to be stoned and the owner must be put to death. However, the owner of the bull may ‘Redeem’ his life by paying whatever is demanded. (Exodus 21:29-30) I’m not sure what is meant by ‘What Class’ of people because as I see it ALL were sinners and therefore All could be redeemed. Sure enough, the Jewish people who were adherents of the old traditions would be more familiar with the token offerings made to the temple for their sins. However, their former traditions, as Peter points to held no permanent solution for redeeming them from the eternal consequences of their sin. "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." (1 Peter 1:18-19) Only Jesus could be our ‘Propitiation’. The only acceptable sacrifice to God that would appease His Holy demand for justice. The metaphor of God redeeming His people from out of the land of Egypt and slavery into the wonderful promised land paints the perfect picture of Jesus redeeming us from our life of slavery to sin into the wonderful freedom that salvation brings to all who confess, repent and accept the atoning sacrifice paid through the precious blood of Jesus.

I’ve just spotted an interesting point. Earlier on in Exodus 21:5-6 we read about the rights of servants and how if they choose to remain their Master’s servant, even though they had earned the right to go free, they could remain so, but, they would need to have their ear pierced. Isn’t there a startling resemblance to the servant hood of Jesus here. The fact that He was pierced for our transgressions and His words, “And surely I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20) reminds me that Jesus is still serving His people today.

The greatest lesson in all this must be in Jesus’ own words "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35)

[Julie]

Slaves were the class of humans freed. This analogy was used to help us understand that this bondage is just as much a part of life today as was in the past. It helps explain that the power of Christ is the only hope for those in spiritual bondage. Satan enslaves men to his will. Only Christ can end that enslavement.

[wayfarer58]

Greetings All!

a. Slaves or prisoners of war were those freed by ransoming.

b. I think that Jesus and the New Testament writers used this analogy because it was one that everyone could see and understand. Slavery was a way of life in NT times. And it wasn't the type of slavery which was a part of early American life. This type of slavery, especially among the Jews, had certain rules. Redemption was one of those rules.

c. I think it helps explain why we do what we do, especially before we've been redeemed. While it is tru that , once redeemed, we are no longer 'bound' to sin to do sin, old habits die hard and the idea of having been a slave to sin helps explain why it is so difficult for us to completely give up our old way of life.

Dave

[shadylady]

Those who had been taken as prisoners through war, trade, debt or their descendants, all these needed to have a price paid for them, needed their debt paid - they remained as slaves forever until they had been paid for. I think New Testament writers and teachers used slavery illustrations as they were relevant for the people of the time - it must have been their worst nightmare to get into debt, or captured as slaves because there was no way out, except full payment or their own death. These illustrations help us today to understand the work of the Holy Spirit in setting prisoners of sin, sickness. etc. totally free & see Jesus for the Redeemer he is.

[gail m]

In the New Testament world, what class of humans were freed by payment of a redemption price or a ransom? Why do you think that Jesus, Peter, and Paul used this analogy in this week's theme verses. What about the Christian life does it help explain?

1. Slaves
2. Because we are all slaves to sin
3. It explains that Christians have been "Bought" and that God owns them. We are property of God..Amen

[retired]

The class of people question is somewhat confusing. Jesus set all people free. It is true that in Jesus' time that slavery was prevalent. When he died on the cross he not only set the slaves free but all of us. Those who were slaves, remained slaves to their masters, but they were free in Christ. Today we still have the bondage of sin. But if we truly believe in Him we are free.

[bjcollin]

Pastor Ralph, on Feb 22 2003, 10:57 PM, said:

Q1. In the New Testament world, what class of humans were freed by payment of a redemption price or a ransom? Why do you think that Jesus, Peter, and Paul used this analogy in this week's theme verses. What about the Christian life does it help explain? Exposition

Slaves were the class of humans that could be freed by payment of a redemption price. Jesus, Peter, and Paul used slave analogies because there were a lot of slaves at the time. The verses help explain a lot about the Christian life in that we as humans by our nature are many times knowingly or unknowingly slaves to one or more masters. As a Christian, we have been set free from that by the blood of the Lamb.