Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12
Scripture Reading: Psalm 89:1-8, 27-37
Memory Verse: The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. Psalm 111:7-8
Introduction:
These lessons have assumed that the Ten Commandments are in effect today. What does Scripture tell us about their permanence? How do we know that they are intended for all time, including under the New Covenant? Why do some Christian denominations use Scriptures to say they are not now in effect?
Let us look at arguments some use to say the Ten Commandments are not in effect today. Colossians 2:14 is used to say that the law of Moses, including the Ten Commandments, was “nailed…to the cross” with Christ. Hebrews 1:1-2 is quoted to say that God now speaks to all men through Christ, whereas in the past God spoke to Israel through the Law of Moses and lump the Ten Commandments with the laws of Moses. Some say that nine of the laws found in the commandments are part of the New Covenant and must be obeyed today as part of the New Covenant. However, they argue that the Sabbath commandment was for the Jews only and since it was a memorial of God delivering them from Egypt, it lost its significance under the New Covenant.
Are these arguments correct? How do you refute these points? First, did the Ten Commandments need to be updated under the New Covenant? Absolutely not! Jesus said that He did not come “to destroy the Law or the Prophets,” (Matthew 5:17) which is what we call the Old Testament. Instead, He taught their deeper spiritual application. When asked which commandments were the greatest, He did not say that they were being replaced. Instead, He summarized the 10 as loving the LORD and loving your neighbor. In Matthew 19:17, when the rich young man asked what he must do to have eternal life, Jesus said to keep the commandments, referring to the Ten Commandments.
Paul describes the permanence of the Ten Commandments. In Romans 7:7, he says that he would not have known sin if not for the law. In Romans 3:20, Paul says that through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:31 says that we do not overthrow the law by our faith. Instead, we uphold it. In Romans 4:15, Paul says that where there is no law there is no transgression. 1 Corinthians 7:19 says that keeping the commandments of God is what matters. These verses were not speaking just to New Testament laws.
This lesson reviews why the Ten Commandments remain in effect today and why it continues to be the standard of righteousness for God’s covenant people.
Lesson Questions:
- Take a moment to reflect on your experiences with other views of the 10 commandments. What Scriptures were used to support those other views?
- Did the Ten Commandment law exist before Mount Sinai? Genesis 4:7; 13:13; 18:20; 26:5; Romans 4:15; 5:13-14
- Did Moses write the Ten Commandment law? Exodus 24:12; 31:18; 32:16
- What does Moses mean when he says that God added no more to these? Deuteronomy 5:22. Was a distinction made in Deuteronomy 4:13-14?
- What did Jesus mean when He said He did not come to destroy the law? Matthew 5:17-19
- Was James referring to the Ten Commandments law in James 2:10-11?
- What law is indicated in 1 John 3:4-6 when John says, “sin is lawlessness”?
- What law was Paul referring to in Romans 3:20 when he says, “by the law is the knowledge of sin.”? Romans 7:7-12
- How does Hebrews 4:9 demonstrate that the Sabbath commandment is still in effect today? Note: The Greek word for “rest” in this verse is “sabbatismos*” which literally means “a sabbath rest.” Many modern translations use the words “sabbath rest” here.
- What does Paul mean when he says we are “not under the law”? Romans 6:14-15; 1 Corinthians 9:20; Galatians 5:18. How can that statement be misunderstood?
- Considering the context of Colossians 2:6-17, what was nailed to the cross in Colossians 2:14? Explain why Colossians 2:16-17 do not refer to the Sabbath commandment.