I was watching a video on YouTube titled “The Real Reason Slavery Died.” In this video, the creator claimed that a British politician named William Wilberforce was the real reason slavery died. 😂
Wilberforce Was a Protestant, But Not the Source of Abolition
William Wilberforce was a Protestant, specifically an evangelical Anglican. He became a devout Christian after a profound conversion experience, which influenced his abolitionist activism. I am not saying he had nothing to do with helping to end slavery, but we must acknowledge that Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, already taught us how to end slavery in Scripture.
Jesus Christ Already Gave the Command That Ends Slavery
Mark 12:28-31
28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord.
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. That is what destroys slavery. The problem is that in early Christianity, especially under the Catholic Church, Scripture was suppressed, and common people could not read the Bible for themselves.
Biblical Ignorance and Twisted Scripture Are Not New
People failing to read or understand the Bible is not new. People twisting Christ’s words to serve their agenda is also not new. Even in 2025, there are “Christians” trying to sanction homosexual marriages, even though Scripture clearly defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
If you want a same sex life partner, that is your choice, but Biblical marriage is defined by God, not modern culture. Biological realities remain self-evident.
The Protestant Reformation Made Abolition Possible
The Protestant Reformation, while imperfect, accomplished something vital, it gave COMMON PEOPLE the ability to read the Bible for themselves✝️📖🙏🕊️. Before that, Christian leaders controlled access to Scripture and censored interpretation.
Wilberforce repeated the teachings of Jesus Christ. He did not originate them. Christ had already laid the foundation for abolition nearly two thousand years prior.
Jesus Spoke Truth in a World Where Truth Could Get You Killed
In Mark 12, Jesus angered the Jewish establishment by teaching in parables and exposing hypocrisy. Speaking truth in those days could get you executed. People today romanticize the Roman era instead of understanding its harsh reality.
Mark 12:12-17
12 And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
People marveled because nobody spoke like that before Jesus. People were raised to obey systems without questioning them. Jesus showed that the establishments of that era were spiritually cursing the young.
The Old Testament Prepared the Way, Christ Revealed the Kingdom
The Old Testament shows God preparing His people for the coming Kingdom. Christ revealed that God’s people, including the Jews of that era, were a vessel to show the world that voluntary devotion to God brings eternal reward.
The command that destroys slavery is exactly what Christ taught, Love thy neighbour as thyself.
Christ Ended Slavery, Not a Politician
Wilberforce helped amplify the teachings of Christ, but he did not originate them. Jesus Christ is the true author of abolition. Lincoln did something similar, framing truth in ways the culture would accept, a method Christ used long before them.
Final Encouragement
We must promote liberty, freedom, and property rights because these principles help us magnify the glorious name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.
Consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today.