The Ten Commandments
The Truth about the Ten Commandments
Question 1: Where are the Ten Commandments found in the Bible?
The Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5.
Question 2: What does the Bible say is the definition of sin?
Sin is the transgression of the law, unfaithfulness, and ignoring righteousness.
1 John 3:4 — Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Romans 14:23 — for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
James 4:17 — Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Question 3: What does God say is the whole duty of man?
Obedience to His Law
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 — Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Question 4: What is the only part of the Bible written directly by God Himself?
The Ten Commandments are the only part of the Bible written directly by God Himself. Everything else in the Bible, He inspired His prophets to write. But the Ten Commandments, God wrote with His own finger in stone.
Exodus 31:18 — And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Exodus 32:16 — And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
Question 5: What blessings does God promise to those who obey His Law?
Happiness, peace, long life, protection, and knowing God.
Proverbs 29:18 — Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Psalms 119:165 — Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Proverbs 3:1-2 — My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Deuteronomy 6:12-14, 17-18 — Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you…Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee. And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,
Psalms 119:117-118 — Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
John 14:21 — He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
1 John 2:3 — And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
Question 6: What is the standard God will use to judge us by?
His Ten Commandment Law.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 — Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
James 2:8-12 — If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
Question 7: Can the Ten Commandments ever be changed in any way, or abolished?
No, God’s Ten Commandment Law can never change, because God never changes.
Luke 16:17 — And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Psalms 89:34 — My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
Psalms 111:7-8 — The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
Malachi 3:6 — For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Question 8: What is God’s Law a transcript of?
The Ten Commandments are the transcript of God’s character. You can no more do away with the Ten Commandments than you could do away with God Himself. Everything in the Bible that describes God Himself, also describes His Ten Commandment Law. Each of the characteristics below have two Bible verses: one that describes God that way, and the other that describes the Ten Commandments that way as well.
God and His Law are both:
Good - Luke 18:19, 1 Tim. 1:8
Holy - Isaiah 5:16, Romans 7:12
Perfect - Matt. 5:48, Psalm 19:7
Pure - 1 John 3:2-3, Psalm 19:8
Just - Deut. 32:4, Romans 7:12
True - John 3:33, Psal, 19:9
Spiritual - 1 Cor. 10:4, Romans 7:14
Righteous - Jer. 23:6, Psalm 119:172
Faithful - 1 Cor. 1:9, Psalm 119:86
Love - 1 John 4:8, Romans 13:10
Unchangeable - James 1:17, Matt. 5:18
Everlasting - Gen. 21:33, Psalms 111:7-8
Question 9: What law was nailed to the cross and abolished?
It was the ceremonial law that was nailed to the cross and abolished, not the Ten Commandment Law. The presence of the Sabbath before the fall of man shows the presence of the Ten Commandments before the fall. Thus, the Ten Commandments cannot be the law that was added because of sin. It was the law of Moses, the “handwriting of ordinances that was against us,” that was the law added because of sin, that ended at the Cross.
Colossians 2:14-17 — Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Ephesians 2:14-15 — For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Deuteronomy 31:26 — Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
Question 10: Are we saved by grace, or by obedience?
We are saved wholly of grace.
Romans 3:20 — Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Ephesians 2:8-10 — For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Question 11: What, then, is the proof of our love to God??
Just as we prove our love to our spouses by not cheating on them, by doing things that make them happy, we prove our love to God by doing what makes Him happy: loving obedience to His Ten Commandment Law.
John 14:15-24 — If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Ezekiel 20:12, 20 — Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them…And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
Question 12: What list the foundation of the Ten Commandment Law of God?
Love is the foundation of God’s Law and government. Love runs through every single one of the Ten Commandments, hence why James says when we break one, we break them all.
Matthew 22:36-40 — Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Leviticus 19:18 — Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Deuteronomy 6:5 — And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Romans 13:10 — Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Question 13: What happens to those who refuse obedience?
Eternal death.
Romans 6:23 — For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isaiah 13:9 — Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
James 2:10 — For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Revelation 21:8 — But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Question 14: Why is obedience so important?
It is our duty to obey God. The Ten Commandment Law of God also shows us what sin is, and who Jesus is.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 — Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Romans 3:20 — Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
1 John 3:4 — Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
John 14:15-24 — If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Question 15: Did Jesus break the law as many accuse Him of, or did He obey the Law?
Many accuse Jesus of breaking the law, because of the pharisees accusing Him of breaking the Law. However, this claim is without foundation. Jesus Himself said He kept the Law. Thus, if He broke the Ten Commandments in any way, He would be both a liar and a sinner. The Bible also commands us to walk (live) as Jesus walked.
John 15:10 — If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
1 John 2:4-6 — He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Question 16: What is it that enables us to obey God’s Law?
The New Covenant experience, grace, the power of the Holy Spirit, and love for Jesus.
Zechariah 4:6 — Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Hebrews 8:10 — For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
John 14:15 — If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Ephesians 2:8-10 — For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Titus 2:11-14 — For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Question 17: But doesn’t Paul teach that we are free to disobey?
No, Paul constantly upheld the Ten Commandments. He taught that we are not under the legalism and condemnation of the law if we truly follow Jesus.
Romans 6:14-15 (CJB) — For sin will not have authority over you; because you are not under legalism but under grace. Therefore, what conclusion should we reach? “Let’s go on sinning, because we’re not under legalism but under grace”? Heaven forbid!
Romans 3:31 — Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Romans 6:1-2 — What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Question 18: Are all Ten Commandments repeated in the New Testament?
Yes, they are.
Matt. 4:10; 1 John 5:21, Acts 17:29; 1 Tim. 6:1; Matt. 24:20, Hebrews 4:4, 9, 10, Rev. 14:6-7; Matt. 19:19; Romans 13:9; Matt. 19:18; Romans 13:9; Romans 7:7
Question 19: Why does Satan hate the law of God?
It identifies who God’s people are, and shows that God’s grace really works to help us obey His Law.
Revelation 12:17 — And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 14:12 — Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Question 20: Is loving obedience part of the Gospel?
Yes it is. The Bible defines the Gospel in prophetic terms in Revelation 14:6-12. One of these aspects of the Gospel is to “Fear God,” which is connected with obedience to His Law.
Deuteronomy 5:29 — O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
Deuteronomy 6:2 — That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
Revelation 14:6-7 — And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
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