CIVIL RIGHTS- Basis for civil rights is grounded in the impartiality of God (Deut 10:7-18; Acts 10:34; cp. Luke 20:21), in the created order by which all persons are made in the image of God (Gen 1:27-28; 9:6), and in the redemptive work of Christ (Gal 3:28).      Mosaic law distinguished between sojourners (non-Israelite residents of the land of Israel) and foreigners (persons who were not resident in Israel). Sojourners were subject to the same laws as were Israelites (Exod 12:49; Num 15:15-16; cp Deut 10:18-19), but the rights of foreigners were somewhat restricted (Exod 12:43; Deut 15:3; 17:15).

Both the OT and NT acknowledged the practice of slavery in the ancient world and held that the rights of slaves were to be protected to a degree greater than was typically found among neighboring cultures (Exod 12:44; Lev 25:39-55).

The NT recognizes the fundamental equality of all who are in Christ (Gal 3:28) and advocates the voluntary subordination of individual rights for the benefit of others (Luke 22:26; 1 Cor 8:9-13; Phil 2:4-8).