The Commandments of God

Revelation 14:12

Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus

When God gives a commandment, we should keep it, right? That is the question. What is the answer?

Without regard for any context, without taking anything else into consideration, most Christians would answer, “Yes, we need to keep the commandments of God”

Does that mean we should keep ALL the commandments of God? Why not? If God commanded men to do (or not do) something, then we should do whatever God said. One is not allowed to pick and choose “which” commandments of God we want to keep, refusing some, while keeping others. IF it is a commandment of God, we should certainly keep it…. Right?

This is the kind of discussion you will hear from a Christian (?) who is confused concerning the two covenants, and cannot distinguish between the Old Law and the New Law of Christ. In fact there are many who object to the very idea that some would even try to distinguish between the “law of God” and the law of God. Their view is that if it is indeed written in scripture… and it is the “law of God”, it is eternal and will always be the law of God (that is, unless it is the ceremonial law of Moses; which they will grudgingly admit has been annulled).

Why do we have these kinds of discussions? Why labor to discern the answers to such intense questions (they are very “serious” questions to some, even today)? We struggle to set forth truth in order to help those who need help understanding which commandments of God we have to keep today.

You would think that a simple illustration that shows the importance of “context” would suffice to demonstrate that NOT every commandment from God is for every person:

Genesis 6:13-14 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

Genesis 22:1-2 And it came to pass after these things, that God did prove Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham. And he said, Here am I. 2. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and get thee into

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the land of Moriah. And offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

No one would seriously contend that Christians today are obligated to keep these commandments of God, commands that were given to Noah and Abraham (respectively). And yet, they are indeed the “commands” of God. Why are these commandments not eternal?

Context. To whom did God give the commandment? THAT is the key to understanding which commandments of God are required today? Context.

Without a proper understanding of the context of a command, even the covenant under which it was given, one will become confused as to who is obligated to keep what commandments. THAT is the problem that exists today among those who do not distinguish between the Old Testament… and the New Testament. Further, the problem is compounded when believers point to Jesus and say that we should follow His example in keeping the commandments of God. After all, we are Christians and we should follow Jesus… right?

The truth is that Jesus lived UNDER the Law of Moses. Even though He is Our Savior and has given us a “new covenant”, Jesus lived UNDER the old covenant. When he spoke, many times his teaching would anticipate the “coming” dispensation when all who believe would be in the church. But, his life was lived under the old covenant.

Let us examine first of all how this problem affected the first century church, as well as how it was resolved eventually through God’s revelation.

I. Circumcision & the Law

A. Lessons learned from Acts 15

1. As the gospel expanded geographically… from Jerusalem, into Judea and Samaria… unto the uttermost parts of the earth

2. It also spread from an all Jewish base of believers, and came to embrace the other nations and peoples of the world.

a) there was the conversion of Cornelius and his family (Acts 10) b) Acts 11:20-26 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who,

when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that

believed turned unto the Lord. 22. And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was

in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch: 23. who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he

exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord:

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24. for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

25. And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; 26. and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to

pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

3. However, the question arose concerning whether or not the Gentiles would be required to “keep the commandments of the Lord”

a) the implication here is whether the non-Jewish Christians would be compelled to keep the Jewish law (the Law of Moses)

b) this would include all the Jewish commandments, even to the point of being circumcised… according to the commandment God gave to Abraham

4. Thus, in Acts 15 the brethren will address this issue. a) note – when confronted with a controversy, the path to resolve it was to

appeal to the Word of God b) there is NO other way to resolve any issue wherein there is disagreement

5. Acts 15:1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

a) Some early Christians mingled the OT commands of God with the gospel of Christ

b) A natural mistake for zealous Jews who had embraced the gospel c) The Jewish Christian:

• Knew that the Law of Moses was from God• They had kept the OT commands all the days of their lives• They believed that the Gentiles who became Christians should ALSO

obey the Law of Moses in order to be SAVED• Acts 15:2 this idea caused considerable “dissension”, controversy – an

uproar

6. the issue defined a) Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who

believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses

b) Is a Christian obligated to:– Receive circumcision?– Keep the Law of Moses?

7. The Gentiles & the Gospel• The Gentiles had received the gospel

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• Acts 15:3 They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren

• Acts 15:7-9 And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8. And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; 9. and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

8. The Gentiles & the Law of Moses• IT is obvious that the Gentile Christians were NOT observing

the OT commands• This was the point of the controversy• Some Jewish Christians insisted that the Gentile Christians

SHOULD keep the law of Moses• The apostles were insisting that they did NOT have to keep the

OT Law – vs. 10-11 Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11. But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.

9. God’s Will Revealed• Symeon spoke – vs. 14-21

14. Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16. After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up: 17. That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, 18. Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old. 19. Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God; 20. but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

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21. For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

• His (inspired) judgment – vs. 19– “that we trouble not them that from among the

Gentiles turn to God”– vs. 20 “but that we write unto them, that they abstain from

the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood”

10. God’s Commands for Christians• but that we write unto them:

– that they abstain from the pollutions of idols– and from fornication– and from what is strangled, and from blood

• The apostles, elders, church… sent men with THIS message – vs. 22-30 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23. and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: 24. Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment; 25. it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26. men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29. that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.

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30. So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.

• Those who were insisting that Christians were obligated to keep the Law of Moses were NOT commanded to do so – vs.24

Note – rather, they were causing TROUBLE

11. No Greater Burden• Acts 15:28-29

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29. that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.

12. Lessons to be learned:1. Confusion on this matter troubles the church and subverts the souls of

Christians2. The Christian can keep the commands of God WITHOUT observing the

Law of Moses – or keeping circumcision• All these things are commands of God• But, not all these commands are for Christians• Thus it is not an innocent problem

3. The solution to this problem is found in the Word of God• Properly understood and applied

II. SABBATH KEEPING

A. Making the application: Are Christians obligated to keep the Sabbath?

• Some today insist that in order to be faithful to God, all believers MUST keep the Sabbath because it is a command of God

• While they admit that the Law of Moses was nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14), they insist that the Law of God is still in effect

It has been suggested that there is a distinction to be made between the Law of Moses and the Law of God

Note – it is interesting that when we seek to make a legitimate distinction between the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ, we are told that BOTH are the Law of God. But, when asked about the various ordinances found in the Law of Moses… we are told that the Law of God is eternal, while the Law of Moses was different

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THE LAW OF MOSES What was alongside the ark of the covenant Deut. 31:9 And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the

sons of Levi, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and unto all the elders of Israel.

Vs. 24-26 And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, 25. that Moses commanded the Levites, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, saying, 26. Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of Jehovah your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

THE LAW OF GOD What was put INSIDE the ark of the covenant Deut. 10:1-5 At that time Jehovah said unto me, Hew thee two tables of

stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood. 2. And I will write on the tables the words that were on the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark. 3. So I made an ark of acacia wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in my hand. 4. And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which Jehovah spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and Jehovah gave them unto me. 5. And I turned and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they are as Jehovah commanded me.

Are Christians obligated?

• To keep the Ten Commandments?• That which was written on the stones?

Nine of the ten commandments are commands of Christ – they are part of the Law of Christ

Galatians 6:2 Nine of the ten commandments are commands of Christ – they are part of the Law of Christ

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 Corinthians 14:37 If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

Exodus 20:1-2 And God spake all these words, saying, 2. I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

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Deuteronomy 5:1-6 And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and observe to do them. 2. Jehovah our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. 3. Jehovah made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day. 4. Jehovah spake with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, 5. (I stood between Jehovah and you at that time, to show you the word of Jehovah: for ye were afraid because of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying, 6. I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Nehemiah 9:9 And thou sawest the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red Sea,

vs. 13-14 Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments, 14. and madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them commandments, and statutes, and a law, by Moses thy servant,

Ezekiel 20:10-13 So I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness. 11. And I gave them my statutes, and showed them mine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live in them. 12. Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am Jehovah that sanctifieth them. 13. But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they rejected mine ordinances, which if a man keep, he shall live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

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