The 10 Commandments were not a new law given only to Israel but codified moral rules already understood. While their moral code influences many nations, the Law of Moses was specifically given to and binding on Israel alone. The Law could not provide salvation or remove sin - it served as a tutor to bring people to Christ by whom the Law's power is abolished. Jesus fulfilled, not destroyed, the Law and its obligations were removed through His work on the cross.

1. MISCONCEPTIONS
ABOUT THE
10 COMMANDMENTS

2. Misconceptions

I want to put the 10 Commandments in
their proper place in the Bible

We must clear away many false ideas
about the 10 Commandments and the Law
of Moses

Misconceptions will lead to false doctrines

3. Not Really New

Law of Moses was a written form of what
was already the law

Patriarchs gave the law orally to their
extended family

The law codified what was already known
and understood

Some question – Sabbath law may the
only exception to this

4. Not Really New

Exodus 19:7-8 7 So Moses came and
called for the elders of the people, and laid
before them all these words which the Lord
commanded him. 8 Then all the people
answered together and said, "All that the
Lord has spoken we will do." So Moses
brought back the words of the people to
the Lord

5. Not Given to all Nations

Many nations today base their law on the
moral code of the 10 Commandments

But the original law was given to those
who came out of Egypt – the nation of
Israel

Exodus 20:2 I am the Lord your God, who
brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of
the house of bondage

6. Not Given to all Nations

Deuteronomy 5:2-3 2 The Lord our
God made a covenant with us in
Horeb. 3 The Lord did not make this
covenant with our fathers, but with us,
those who are here today, all of us
who are alive.

7. Not Given to all Nations

Romans 2:14-15 14 for when Gentiles,
who do not have the law, by nature do
the things in the law, these, although not
having the law, are a law to themselves,
15 who show the work of the law written in
their hearts, their conscience also bearing
witness, and between themselves their
thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

Gentiles were not under the Law of Moses

8. No Salvation

The Law of Moses could not save

Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the
grace of God; for if righteousness comes
through the law, then Christ died in vain."

Galatians 3:24 Therefore the law was our
tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be
justified by faith

9. No Salvation

Study 2 Corinthians 3:6-17

Hebrews 10:3-4 3 But in those sacrifices
there is a reminder of sins every year. 4
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls
and goats could take away sins.

Animal sacrifices could not save. If one
kept every detail of the law, they would still
be lost without the blood of Christ.

10. No Salvation

Christians are moral in their lives

But not all moral people are Christians

Look at Cornelius (Acts 10)

A Christian is one who:

Obeyed the gospel

Was added to the church

Worships in spirit and truth

Lives faithful to the NT

11. Jesus did not “destroy” the
Law of Moses

Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I came to
destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not
come to destroy but to fulfill

Learn the meaning of “destroy”

Greek word translated “destroy” = to totally
annihilate, to erase as if it never existed

12. Jesus did not “destroy” the
Law of Moses

Ephesians 2:15 having abolished in His
flesh the enmity, that is, the law of
commandments contained in ordinances,
so as to create in Himself one new man
from the two, thus making peace,
Greek word translated “abolish” = to unplug,
to remove its force or power

13. Jesus did not “destroy” the
Law of Moses

Jesus did NOT come to annhilate the law

Jesus DID come to remove its power

John 1:16-17 16 And of His fullness we
have all received, and grace for grace. 17
For the law was given through Moses, but
grace and truth came through Jesus
Christ.

14. Learn These Lessons

God has rules.

The basic moral code has not changed
since creation.

In every age – Patriarchal, Law of Moses,
and Christian Age:

God requires us to obey the rules that
apply to us.