There are many commandments in the Old Testament. Some sources declare there are 613. I have found, 
after my own attempt in counting them, that it depends on the counter and his criteria for what actually is considered to be a commandment from God.
Although, my count is only in the 300’s, and others have counted 603 and 613, we all have to agree that there are more than ten commandments that God has given men. Yet, the number ten somehow sticks in the mind of most people; and they think, along with their other misunderstandings of God’s Old Testament commandments, that they are only responsible for some of those that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai.
Here are several truths about the Ten Commandments:
- Obedience to these ten commandments is necessary in order for all men to live together in unity. They are the moral laws that God has given man. If they are not followed, there will be problems in society. If the sixth commandment is not honored, then anyone can kill anyone for any reason. When the seventh commandment is ignored, then families will be destroyed by rampant adultery. If the eighth is not enforced or taught, then there will be no inhibititions preventing anyone from stealing what they want. On and on society will degrade, as it has today, because the basic moral commandments are not universally followed in society.
- Following these commandments will not guarantee anyone Heaven. So many, when asked if they are bound for heaven, declare they are because they obey the ten commandments. Surprisingly, few even know what they are and are shocked that there are actually over 300 of them. We are in a different time; a different dispensation. We are not under God’s law, we are under God’s grace. The way to heaven is trusting in Christ’s payment for our sins; not anything we can do. The law was only intended to give Old Testament believer’s a glimpse (a shadow) of how the perfect worship would one day be.
“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” Hebrews 10:1 - These commandments give us an idea of what God likes and does not like. The desire of all Christians should be to please God. The commandments clearly show us the preferences and wisdom of the Creator.
- Some say there are over 600 Old Testament commandments. It is nearly impossible to know all of them, let alone keep them all.
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10
Galatians 3: 24. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Ephesians 2: 8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 3: 10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6: 23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 10: 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10: 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
John 14: 6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 1: 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
2 Corinthians 5: 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this excellent blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
The structure of heavenly culture based on God’s law is beautiful.
Enjoyed this much today, as well as the past comments.
It’s amazing: You can ask people to name 5 celebrities, or name 5 brands of alcohol or cigarettes, and they’ll name them off in seconds, but ask somebody to name 5 of the 10 commandments and most can’t name but 2 or 3 of them!
Hey Bro Doug! Good to hear from you again. I was asking about you a couple of days ago.
Yes, he was missed………
So many moan that they are not missed in church, etc., but when you are not consistent and faithful, a person will not be missed as others just assume they are missing on purpose — again. But, when a faithful person drops out of sight for even a short time, he presence is missed. Doug was missed because he faithfully writes most mornings.
Bro Brinkworth,
You are an educated man, maybe you know this….? Theologians have divided the old testament law into several categories…. like civil (things that have to do with their society at the time of Moses and the prophets, but dont appply now), and life protecting (prohibitions against eating pork, fish without scales, etc..), and moral/legal ( the ten commandments). Are you familiar with that?
Now the reason that is important as I recall, is that it helps us separate those things that just dont apply to us, and were never meant to, from things that are life and death to us, and also categorizes some things that were given as rules to the israelites, but still are good advice today (not eating pork for example).
Are you able to comment on that?
I believe your are referring to what is called “dispensations”; ways that God treated people for a time, that He no longer does now. One example is the early church did not have the complete Word of God so He gave them sign gifts to prove His will and way; that is one dispensation. Today is another. We have the complete Word of God, and our to live by faith, not sight, so He does not send His miracles to prove His will and way; that is another dispensations. There are other dispensations of different times. Many dispute what they are.
Thanks Brother, I have heard of that as well.
Even if one is not saved I think it is good they have enough common sense to keep the 10 commandments because that way they are living right and maybe they will get saved too . I also think some of the laws from the old testament still applies today or it should because it can help people to live right . Yes one gets saved by the Grace of Jesus dying for us but one still needs to live how the laws teach us .