Jesus said His mission was to release the captive and free the oppressed. (Luke 4:16-21)

 

We can trace the end of open and legal slavery to specific people. Most of these abolitionists were faithful Jesus-followers who spoke out against slavery using Jesus's own words: love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)

 

They freed thousands of slaves through the Underground Railroad, a network of safe places, mostly churches and homes, where escaped slaves could find refuge on their journey north to freedom.