"As you approach a town to attack it, you must first offer its people terms for peace. If they accept your terms and open the gates to you, then all the people inside will serve you in forced labor. But if they refuse to make peace and prepare to fight, you must attack the town. When the Lord your God hands the town over to you, use your swords to kill every man in the town. But you may keep for yourselves all the women, children, livestock, and other plunder. You may enjoy the plunder from your enemies that the Lord your God has given you."
(Deuteronomy 20:10-14)

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free."
(Ephesians 6:5-8) NLT

"All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching."
(Timothy 6:1) NLT

why can't i have a slave although the bible clearly says i can?

This post was edited by rawwwrr on Mar 1 2011 10:03am

Just because it describes a what was going on at a time in history, doesn't mean it perscribes it.

For example, if you were caught stealing a sheep, you would have to return two sheep...

If you couldn't pay back the two sheep, then you were auctioned off as a slave to work until you could pay off your crime. (Instead of being jailed)

Someone in your family could come and "Redeem" you if they paid off your debt.
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So therefore, we see that there was a reason for it.

This post was edited by Torm1 on Mar 1 2011 10:20am

We are no longer under the old covenant or its laws so lets focus on the verses from the new testament.
They no where say it is okay to have slaves, they are telling slaves to serve for jesus, just as we should do all things for his glory.