Final answer:
Onesimus was a slave during the time of the Roman Empire; he later became a Christian missionary.However, Onesimus himself was not a slaveholder.
Step-by-step explanation:
Onesimus was a slave during the time of the Roman Empire. He is mentioned in the Bible, particularly in Paul's letter to Philemon, where Paul describes him as a beloved brother and a fellow believer. Onesimus later became a Christian missionary.
In the context of the Roman Empire, it is important to note that slavery was prevalent, and many slaves converted to Christianity due to the religion's promise of forgiveness, love, and eternal life. However, Onesimus himself was not a slaveholder. Instead, he was a former slave who became a missionary.
The individual referenced in the question is Onesimus, who was historically a slave. Onesimus was not a missionary, one of Jesus' disciples, or a slaveholder. His story is connected to early Christianity, particularly through the Apostle Paul. Onesimus is mentioned in the Christian Bible, in a letter written by Paul to a man named Philemon, wherein Paul appeals for kind treatment and possibly the freedom of Onesimus, who had become a Christian and was useful to Paul's ministry.