What are the Ten Commandments?

Question:

I would like to understand the full ten commandments and know exactly where they are in the 
bible. I have read the book "Exodus" but I was unclear as to what were the exact 10 
commandments that most people speak of... 

Submitted by SJ on June 16, 1999.

Answer: (Given by Bro. Brian Tipton)

The Ten commandments as they have been called were ten specific items that were delivered to Moses on Mt. Sanai. These commandments were given to the nation of Israel. Let's look at Deuteronomy 5:1-3, 

"Moses summoned all of Israel and said, Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today.  Learn them and be sure to follow them. The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. It was not with our fathers that the Lord made this covenant, but with us, will all of us who are alive here today." (Deuteronomy 5:1-3)

Before we look in Exodus at the Ten Commandments I thought this would be an important point to make. The above verse says that the Ten Commandments, as well as the rest of the Law of Moses, was given to only the nation of Israel. Up until this point God had spoken directly to the heads of different families (Abraham, Isaac, Noah, Adam, etc.). Now he is establishing with the Nation of Israel a national law. This time period is often referred to as the Mosaic Age. This age lasted from the time
of the giving of the law to the death of Jesus on the Cross. Keep in mind that the Law of Moses was given only to the nation of Israel. 

The Ten commandments can be found in Deuteronomy 5:6-21 and Exodus 20:3-17. They are: 

1. You shall have no other Gods before me. 
2. You shall not make for yourself any graven images (idols, etc) 
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. (Use it as a swear word, etc.) 
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. 
5. Honor your father and mother. 
6. You shall not murder. 
7. You shall not commit adultery. 
8. You shall not steal. 
9. You shall not give false testimony (lie, etc.) 
10. You shall not covet (envy, greed, i.e., be content with what you have) 

These ten commandments formed the foundation of the Jewish law. They are all self-explanatory for the most part. If you have question about a particular one, let me know and I will attempt to clarify it for you. 

I would like to go on to say, that many people today feel that they must follow the ten commandments just like the children of Israel did. This is not the case. 

In Colossians 2:12-15, Paul writes, 

"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (14) 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; (15) And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (16) ¶ Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: (17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." 

This passage gives us several bible truths. They are: 

1. Jesus blotted out the old Law (handwritten ordinances) (Colossians 2:14) 
2. Jesus nailed the Law to the cross (Colossians 2:14). 
3. We are not under the old law (Colossians 2:14-16). 
4. We do not keep the Sabbath day (Colossians 2:16). 

The laws purpose was to bring us to Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:24,25). After Christ came, there is no need for the law (Galatians 3:25).  Therefore, we must live by what the New Testament says. We cannot go to the Old Testament for our religious practices. 

I would love to study more with you on this very subject. If you would like to continue this study please let me know. 

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