Jesus and His Ten Commandments.
If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15
If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15
The world is becoming a dangerous place and the main reasion is because people have rejected the Ten Commandments of God. Even Christians have turned their backs on God's holy law and now we are finding our world is falling apart in sin.
This study we will look and see if the Ten Commandments are still relevant in todays world and if so should we obey God's law?
This study we will look and see if the Ten Commandments are still relevant in todays world and if so should we obey God's law?
Two tables written with the finger of God on stone:
And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God. Exodus 31:18
Then the Lord delivered to me two tablets of stone written with the finger of God,...
Deuteronomy 9:10
And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God. Exodus 31:18
Then the Lord delivered to me two tablets of stone written with the finger of God,...
Deuteronomy 9:10
JUDGED BY WHICH LAW?
The Bible says very specifically that “... by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20 and that “where there is no law, neither is there any transgression.” Rom.4:15
The problem is to discover what laws Christians should or should not keep today.
Since law defines sin and the “wages of sin is death” Rom. 6:23 it is very important to know exactly by what law we are going to be judged.
The Bible says very specifically that “... by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20 and that “where there is no law, neither is there any transgression.” Rom.4:15
The problem is to discover what laws Christians should or should not keep today.
Since law defines sin and the “wages of sin is death” Rom. 6:23 it is very important to know exactly by what law we are going to be judged.
A WHOLE LAW TO BE KEPT
There is a whole law to be kept:
James 2:10-12 “For whoever shall keep the whole law (Gr. oλov τov voμov) and yet stumble in one point he is guilty of all. For He who said, 'Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder’. Now if you do not commit adultery but do murder you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.”
This law contains:
• Do not commit adultery
• Do not murder
ie. The Ten Commandments which were written on stone by the finger of God and placed inside the Ark.
It has been called by Christians the Moral Law and most churches believe they should keep it.
There is a whole law to be kept:
James 2:10-12 “For whoever shall keep the whole law (Gr. oλov τov voμov) and yet stumble in one point he is guilty of all. For He who said, 'Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder’. Now if you do not commit adultery but do murder you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.”
This law contains:
• Do not commit adultery
• Do not murder
ie. The Ten Commandments which were written on stone by the finger of God and placed inside the Ark.
It has been called by Christians the Moral Law and most churches believe they should keep it.
The Ten Commandments were placed inside the ask along with Aaron's rod and a pot of manna.
The Law of Moses was in a Pocket outside of the ark of the covenant.
The Law of Moses was in a Pocket outside of the ark of the covenant.
“Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God... Deuteronomy 31:26
And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke; and you shall put them in the ark. Deuteronomy 10:2
Then I turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark... Deuteronomy 10:5
And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke; and you shall put them in the ark. Deuteronomy 10:2
Then I turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark... Deuteronomy 10:5
A LAW NOT TO BE KEPT!
Gal. 5:1-3 tells of a “whole law” (Gr. oλov τov voμov) not to be kept.
This law contains:
• Circumcision
ie. The Law of Moses which was written in a book by Moses and placed outside of the ark.
It has been called by Christians the Ceremonial Law and is not kept by Christians.
Gal. 5:1-3 tells of a “whole law” (Gr. oλov τov voμov) not to be kept.
This law contains:
• Circumcision
ie. The Law of Moses which was written in a book by Moses and placed outside of the ark.
It has been called by Christians the Ceremonial Law and is not kept by Christians.
THE TWO LAWS
When a person living before Christ sinned the ceremonial laws told them what animal sacrifices they had to make to earn forgiveness. But these ceremonial laws finished with the blood and sacrifice of Jesus.
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30
When Jesus died, forgiveness now came through His blood and sacrifice and these ceremonial laws were finished. Paul had to emphasize to the Jews that they could no longer be saved by any such “works of the law”. Salvation was only in Christ. He was the “end of the law” that had given them forgiveness, now they had to accept it by faith in Him, Rom 10:4
But Jesus was not the end of the commandments. Paul summed it up: 1 Cor 7:19 “Circumcision is nothing ... but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.”
The commandments point out sin and show the sinner his need of a Savior. True Christians keep them:
When a person living before Christ sinned the ceremonial laws told them what animal sacrifices they had to make to earn forgiveness. But these ceremonial laws finished with the blood and sacrifice of Jesus.
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30
When Jesus died, forgiveness now came through His blood and sacrifice and these ceremonial laws were finished. Paul had to emphasize to the Jews that they could no longer be saved by any such “works of the law”. Salvation was only in Christ. He was the “end of the law” that had given them forgiveness, now they had to accept it by faith in Him, Rom 10:4
But Jesus was not the end of the commandments. Paul summed it up: 1 Cor 7:19 “Circumcision is nothing ... but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.”
The commandments point out sin and show the sinner his need of a Savior. True Christians keep them:
KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS:
Matt. 19:16,17 “if you will enter into life keep the commandments.”
1 John 2:3-4 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him and does not keep His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him.”
I John 5:2-3 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we keep His commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. Rev. 12:17 “...who keep the commandments of God”.
Rev. 14:12 “...here are those who keep the commandments of God.
Jesus’ invitation to us, is:
John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
Matt. 19:16,17 “if you will enter into life keep the commandments.”
1 John 2:3-4 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him and does not keep His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him.”
I John 5:2-3 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we keep His commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. Rev. 12:17 “...who keep the commandments of God”.
Rev. 14:12 “...here are those who keep the commandments of God.
Jesus’ invitation to us, is:
John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
TO KEEP THEM OR NOT?
Watchtower publications often quote the Ten Commandments. Nine of which they teach very literally. Members can be disfellowshipped if they break them.
But there is a problem with the fourth commandment. They do not want to keep the seventh-day Sabbath! The Society alters its attitude towards this Law and now teaches it was only given to the Jews. The texts which show the ceremonial laws finished with Christ’s death, are now used to teach we are no longer under the Ten Commandments.
With the Ten Commandment law gone with its Sabbath, they then work to show the other nine are still to be kept literally by Christians. The Sabbath is re-interpreted to be kept spiritually. (See topic on the Sabbath)
Watchtower publications often quote the Ten Commandments. Nine of which they teach very literally. Members can be disfellowshipped if they break them.
But there is a problem with the fourth commandment. They do not want to keep the seventh-day Sabbath! The Society alters its attitude towards this Law and now teaches it was only given to the Jews. The texts which show the ceremonial laws finished with Christ’s death, are now used to teach we are no longer under the Ten Commandments.
With the Ten Commandment law gone with its Sabbath, they then work to show the other nine are still to be kept literally by Christians. The Sabbath is re-interpreted to be kept spiritually. (See topic on the Sabbath)
The only reason we have major problems in today's world
is because people walk all over God's Ten Commandments?
Finally they conclude:
“... even though we are not under that law today, the divine principles behind it are still of great value to us. By studying and applying them we will grow in appreciation for the great Lawgiver Jehovah God.’ You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, p. 207
However can one appreciate the law of the great Lawgiver, and apply the principles of His commandments yet still refuse to literally keep all His commandments?
No wonder John wrote so strongly in 1 John 2:3-4 and 1 John 5:2-3. He sums up the situation perfectly.
“... even though we are not under that law today, the divine principles behind it are still of great value to us. By studying and applying them we will grow in appreciation for the great Lawgiver Jehovah God.’ You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, p. 207
However can one appreciate the law of the great Lawgiver, and apply the principles of His commandments yet still refuse to literally keep all His commandments?
No wonder John wrote so strongly in 1 John 2:3-4 and 1 John 5:2-3. He sums up the situation perfectly.
WHAT WAS NAILED TO THE CROSS OR STAKE?
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14 NKJV
Furthermore, though YOU were dead in YOUR trespasses and in the uncircumcised state of YOUR flesh, [God] made YOU alive together with him. He kindly forgave us all our trespasses 14 and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decree and which was in opposition to us; and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake. Colossians 2:13-14 NWT 1984
Colossians 2:13-14 NKJV
Furthermore, though YOU were dead in YOUR trespasses and in the uncircumcised state of YOUR flesh, [God] made YOU alive together with him. He kindly forgave us all our trespasses 14 and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decree and which was in opposition to us; and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake. Colossians 2:13-14 NWT 1984
A certain law of ordinances was nailed to the cross. This was the ceremonial law of types and shadows that pointed forward to the death of Jesus and that had no further meaning beyond the cross.
This is why Paul said it was contrary to the Christian.
Therefore let no man judge YOU in eating and drinking or in respect of a festival or of an observance of the new moon or of a sabbath; 17 for those things are a shadow of the things to come, but the reality belongs to the Christ. Colossians 2:16-17. NWT 1984
This is why Paul said it was contrary to the Christian.
Therefore let no man judge YOU in eating and drinking or in respect of a festival or of an observance of the new moon or of a sabbath; 17 for those things are a shadow of the things to come, but the reality belongs to the Christ. Colossians 2:16-17. NWT 1984
GOD’S TRUE CHURCH:
Revelation 12:17 and Revelation 14:12. God has a people in the last days of earth’s history who keep the commandments of God. Yes! All of them!
Revelation 12:17 and Revelation 14:12. God has a people in the last days of earth’s history who keep the commandments of God. Yes! All of them!
GOD IS THE LAW IS
Good Luke 18:19 1 Timothy 1:8
Holy Isaiah 5:16 Romans 7:12
Perfect Matthew 5:48 Psalms 19:7
Pure 1 John 3:2,3 Psalms 19:8
Just Deuteronomy 32:4 Romans 7:12
True John 3:33 Psalms 19:9
Spiritual 1 Corinthians 10:4 Romans 7:14
Righteousness. Jeremiah 23:6 Psalms 119:172
Faithful 1 Corinthians 1:9 Psalms 119:86
Love 1 John 4:8 Romans 13:10
Unchangeable James 1:17 Matthew 5:18
Everlasting Genesis 21:33 Psalms 111:7,8
Did Jesus abolish God's law while He was here on earth?
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law. … I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. … Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17, 18).
Good Luke 18:19 1 Timothy 1:8
Holy Isaiah 5:16 Romans 7:12
Perfect Matthew 5:48 Psalms 19:7
Pure 1 John 3:2,3 Psalms 19:8
Just Deuteronomy 32:4 Romans 7:12
True John 3:33 Psalms 19:9
Spiritual 1 Corinthians 10:4 Romans 7:14
Righteousness. Jeremiah 23:6 Psalms 119:172
Faithful 1 Corinthians 1:9 Psalms 119:86
Love 1 John 4:8 Romans 13:10
Unchangeable James 1:17 Matthew 5:18
Everlasting Genesis 21:33 Psalms 111:7,8
Did Jesus abolish God's law while He was here on earth?
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law. … I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. … Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17, 18).
Does the Watchtower believe we should keep
God's Ten Commandments?
In the Watchtower dated January 1st, 1963 it read that Christendom does not keep God's Ten Commandments.
See page 14 below
“Anyone today who is familiar with the Bible and the life of Christ can clearly see the profound difference between what Jesus and the early apostles did and what the clergy of Christendom are doing.
Nineteen hundred years ago Christians were strong in faith. Where is that faith today in Christendom?
God’s book, the Holy Bible, is considered by many as a fine piece of literary work but the Ten Commandments are just to be read, not something to live by.”
WATCHTOWER, JANUARY 1, 1963. Page 14
The Watchtower printed this book called "Enemies in 1937.
Below are quotes about the Ten Commandments.
I personally own this book.
“Therefore God gave His law through Moses to the Israelites and which applies to all who want to do right, and the first in order and first in importance of His commandments or fundamental law is this, to wit:
20:I And God spoke all these words, saying,
20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house
of bondage.
20:3 Thou shall have no other gods before me.
20:4 Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in
heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
20:5 Thou shall not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a
jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
20:6 And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
ENEMIES, Page 94
These quotes are found in the Bible. Exodus 20:1-6
The law of God never changes, because God never changes. (Malachi 3:6) His law points out the way to everlasting life. No creature will ever be given life everlasting who willfully, that is, intentionally violates God’s law. If man chooses another for his God, Jehovah will not grant to that man life. For a man to violate the fundamental law of God means that that man puts himself on the side of the Devil, who therefore leads him to destruction. For the benefit man, then, God provided in his law that man should have no other god before Him, because God alone is the source of life.”
ENEMIES, Page 95
In the 1975 Yearbook on page 169 they quote Exodus 20:6 so by doing this proves the Ten Commandments remain.
READ BELOW:
I personally own this book.
“Jehovah’s witnesses respect the flag, their Biblical obligations and relationship to God strictly forbid them to salute any image. To Jehovah’s servants this would be an act of worship contrary to the principles set forth In the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:6)”
Yearbook, 1975, Page 169.
Again the Watchtower points to the Ten Commandments and tell people we should keep them.
Read Below their quote from the 1978 Awake magazine.
I personally own this copy.
“In all parts of the world, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not take part in such ceremonies as the saluting of the flag and the singing of national anthems. Why not? Because to them this would constitute an act of
worship in direct violation of the first and second of the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:3-5.
AWAKE! - SEPTEMBER 22, 1978 page 5
The truth that leads to eternal life. 1968.
Another quote from the Ten Commandments below.
I personally own this book.
“Is the use of images, for example, worship “with spirit and truth”? Does it please God?
At Exodus 20:4, 5, in one of the Ten Commandments, God Himself says: “You shall not make yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything in heaven or on earth.” THE TRUTH THAT LEADS TO
ETERNAL LIFE, PAGE 25.
Answer: No, indeed! Jesus specifically asserted that He did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill (or keep) it. Instead of doing away with the law, Jesus magnified it (Isaiah 42:21) as the perfect guide for holy living. For example, Jesus pointed out that “You shall not murder” condemns anger “without a cause” (Matthew 5:21, 22) and hatred (1 John 3:15), and that lust is a form of adultery (Matthew 5:27, 28). He said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
Will people who knowingly continue to break God’s commandments be saved?
“The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
“He will destroy its sinners” (Isaiah 13:9).
“Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).
Answer: The Ten Commandment law guides us into holy living. If we ignore even one of the commandments, we neglect an essential part of the divine blueprint. If only one link of a chain is broken, its entire purpose is undone. The Bible says that when we knowingly break a command of God, we are sinning (James 4:17) because we have refused His will for us. Only those who do His will can enter the kingdom of heaven. Of course, God will forgive anyone who genuinely repents and accepts Christ’s power to change him or her.
“The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
“He will destroy its sinners” (Isaiah 13:9).
“Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).
Answer: The Ten Commandment law guides us into holy living. If we ignore even one of the commandments, we neglect an essential part of the divine blueprint. If only one link of a chain is broken, its entire purpose is undone. The Bible says that when we knowingly break a command of God, we are sinning (James 4:17) because we have refused His will for us. Only those who do His will can enter the kingdom of heaven. Of course, God will forgive anyone who genuinely repents and accepts Christ’s power to change him or her.