What functions do the Commandments play in the New Testament?

 

There are three different lines of thought regarding the commandments in the New Testament.

1.  The Commandments were all done away when Jesus died and rose again.

2.  The Commandments still all function in the New Testament.

3.  The Commandments are still all operational in the New Testament except the

     fourth one which is supposed to be changed to the first day of the week (Sunday)  

One of the most commonly used phrases out of Paul’s letters consists of just six words “not under law but under grace”.  This is generally used to launch and promote a doctrine which teaches that the phrase “not under law” is sufficient evidence to suggest that the commandments are now obsolete. Verses are carefully selected from Romans and Galatians that would be complimentary to this line of thought and intentionally omitting those verses that are not. Verses such as Romans 3 v 28 are included, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law”. Verses such as Romans 3 v 31 are omitted, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid, yea we establish the law”. This document should show some light on these conflicting ideas.

Up until the time of John the Baptist there was the Law and the Prophets. Since John the Baptist, the good news of the kingdom has been preached - Luke 16 v 16.  Jesus said in Matthew 5 v 17-19 “think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets, I am not come to destroy but to fulfil, for verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled.” Jesus also said: “If you love me keep my Commandments” John 14 v 15.  Jesus said to the man who was healed at the pool of Bethesda, “sin no more lest a worse thing come upon you”, John 5 v 14. In the teaching of Jesus in the New Testament, if anyone claims to love him they have to keep his Commandments and not sin any more. This is all supposed to have changed when Jesus was crucified and rose again from the dead. Below are a few verses which would suggest otherwise.

There are a number of useful references in Paul’s writing:

Romans 3 v 28

Paul writes that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 3 v 31

Do we then make void the law  through faith? God forbid, yea we establish the law.

Romans 7 v 7         

I had not known sin but by the law

Romans 7 v 8         

without the law sin was dead

Romans 4 v 15

where no law is there is no transgression

1^st John 3 v 4         

sin is a transgression of the law

Romans 6 v 15       

shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace, by no means

Romans 13 v 8-10

Here Paul is recognizing the list of commandments contained in “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” and by keeping them Paul regards  it as fulfilling the law.

James 2 v 8-11:      

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture – Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself ye do well: but if ye have respect of persons ye commit sin and are convinced of the law as transgressors.  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.

1^st Corinth 7v19

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God.”

1^st John 3 v 3-4

And hereby we do know that we know Him if we keep his commandments. He that saith I know Him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him.

1^st John 5 v 2-3

By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous.

Rev 14 v 12

Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

Matt 23 v 37-40

Jesus said “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”.  The second is like unto it “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

These are the condensed form of all Ten Commandments.

It should now be clear that sin is a transgression of the law i.e. breaking one or more of Gods commandments.  It will be useful to bear this in mind any time sin is mentioned in the New Testament.  In 2^nd Corinthians 12 v 21 Paul says “and lest when I come again my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.”  1^st Corinthians 15 v 34 – “Awake to righteousness and sin not, for some have not the knowledge of God, I speak this to your shame”.  In Galatians Paul is dealing with law and grace and, as in Romans, the believers are justified by faith in Jesus Christ.  Galatians chapter 2 verse 17 states, “If while we seek to be justified by Christ we ourselves also are found sinners”.  Is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid” and verse 18 says “for if I build again the things which I destroyed I make myself a transgressor”.

In Galatians chapter 4, writing to those who have believed and afterwards had turned to the beggarly elements of the world observing days, months, times and years, this verse is often used as criticism for those who keep the Sabbath day.  God’s law is holy and just and good – Romans 7 v 12. The law is also spiritual - verse 14 - and not to be confused with the beggarly elements of the world. Observers of times in the Bible are always listed with pagan activity such as making children pass through fire, witchcraft, charmers, etc. Deuteronomy 18 v 10-14.   In Galatians 5 v 19-21 there is a list of behaviours that exclude the participants from entering the kingdom of God, and according to this list these are a breach of most of the commandments. Again in Ephesians Paul warns people about unacceptable behaviour that will also exclude them from the kingdom of God, Chapter 5 v 3-6 - “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness let it not be once named among you as becometh saints, neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting, which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetousness man who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience”.

In Colossians Paul gives another warning against sinful behaviour, chapter 3 v 3-9 and again in 1^st Timothy 5 v 20, “them that sin rebuke before all that others also may fear”.  Hebrews 10 v 26, “For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins”.  James 1 v 14-15 “but every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed, then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death”.  1^st John 2 v 1 “My little children, these things I write unto you that ye sin not.”  1^st John 3 v 6 “Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not, whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him”.

It is quite clear by the phrase (not under law) and associated scriptures that the free gift of salvation is available to us by (Grace) and not law. 

It should also be clear from the Scriptures and the Scripture references in this document that nothing can be taken from God’s law of commandments.  Not only do the commandments have to be obeyed in the new covenant but a far higher standard of behaviour is required, for example Matt 5 v 27-28 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery, but I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart”.  Verses 17-48 of Matt Ch 5 give lots more teaching on this particular subject.