The MILK OF THE WORD: A Bible Study On Moral Truth

The MILK

THE WORD

(A Bible Study On Moral Truth)

Happy Riches

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to every person who has wanted to know the truth about life but does not know how and could not

find a teacher.

However when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak

(John 16:13)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The LORD GOD Creator of Heaven and Earth without Whom nothing would be possible.

The Father for His loving kindness.

Lord Jesus Christ for His last will and testament in which He granted us the right to inherit eternal life.

The Holy Spirit Who proceeded and came forth from the Father and the Son and through Whom we are able to have fellowship with our Father and Lord Jesus in the bond of love.

Pastor William Bonner (M.Th.) for his suggestions.

Unless otherwise indicated, Bible quotations have come from the World English Bible. Public Domain. The name World English Bible is trademarked. The Ten Commandments from Exodus 20:1-17 unless indicated are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

CONTENTS

	Preface	Pg 8
	Introduction	Pg 14
1	First Commandment	Pg 37
2	Second Commandment	Pg 41
3	Third Commandment	Pg 53
4	Fourth Commandment	Pg 58
5	Fifth Commandment	Pg 63
6	Sixth Commandment	Pg 67
7	Seventh Commandment	Pg 72
8	Eighth Commandment	Pg 95
9	Ninth Commandment	Pg 99
10	Tenth Commandment	Pg 108
11 12 13 14	Baptism The Table Of The Lord The Power Of Prayer You Will Know Them By Their Fruits Notes	Pg 111 Pg 117 Pg 122 Pg 126 Pg 130

Preface

This Bible study came about from a suggestion that it would be good for people to have this in book form so that they could also study the Scriptures privately as well as in a group; how-ever, small group Bible Study is more fruitful.

The benefits that people have obtained from studying the Ten Commandments in a group certainly warrant the publication of this book. Indeed, we gain most from Bible Study when we meet together and share our experiences and understanding of how the Scriptures have influenced us.

The World English Bible (WEB) has been chosen for the Bible quotations because it is easier to read than the King James Version and it is in the public domain. However, occasionally other translations have been used for purposes of clarity. In fact, it pays to use other translations to help elucidate the fullness of what is meant within these powerful concepts from the mind of God that are contained in the Bible.

The reason this is called The Milk Of The Word is because the knowledge within constitutes the milk of the word. The early Christians understood the Ten Commandments as the milk of the word. Moreover, unless we Christians understand the Ten Commandments, we are not able to interpret the Bible correctly; hence, the many different interpretations. The Ten Commandments are the gold standard when it comes to hermeneutics, because they alone were written by the Finger of God (Exodus 20:1-17). The rest of Scripture was inspired by God and is known as plenary inspiration. In The Origin of the Bible, J. I. Packer states: "Scripture is not only man's word, but also, and equally God's word, spoken through man's lips or written with man's pen."[1]

It needs to be noted that Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets, and this He did; but, Heaven and Earth will pass away before one iota or one dot of the Ten Commandments will pass away. Such is the importance of these Ten Words over and above the words of the prophets.

This study is not as comprehensive as the book The Only Words Written By The Finger of God, but there is still plenty of depth that goes beyond a superficial understanding of the Ten Com-mandments; in which case, participants will be richly rewarded as each one makes his or her own contribution.

Once when doing a house to house survey in a residential suburb, what became evident to me was the lack of under-standing people have of a basic knowledge of right and wrong. Most of the people thought they knew the Ten Commandments; but when asked what they were, they had difficulty identifying more than two. Yet everyone interviewed in the survey believed the Ten Commandments were important, irespective of whether they went to church or not.

As yet, I have not met one person who can quote the Ten Commandments in their entirety from the book of Exodus, chapter twenty, verses one to seventeen (Ex. 20:1-17). Some quoted abbreviated versions to me, but usually misunderstood what they mean; especially the first five commandments. And when it comes to the next five commandments, there is one well-known preacher on record telling a non-Christian that he lusts after women in his heart, but he has never committed adultery. This preacher tells everybody that they need to know the Ten Commandments because they are true morality. Not understanding what the seventh commandment truly means is not this particular preacher’s only shortcoming. He also mis-construes the first, third and fourth commandments as well. This is why all who do this study will benefit greatly by reading The Only Words Written By The Finger Of God.

Following the Ten Commandments is a study on baptism, which looks at what the Apostle’s did and taught concerning the practice and why it was instituted as a means for fulfilling all righteousness. Some may find what the Bible actually teaches on baptism objectionable. However, we either abide by the Apostle’s teachings or we reject what the Bible states.

Communion is a rite that has numerous views associated with its validity and frequency of practice (ranging from daily to yearly). A chapter has been devoted to a brief study beginning with its typology in the tabernacle of Moses.

Growing in the truths of God is not about doing academic exercises and then regurgitating what we have stored in our memory banks. Speed and acquisition of knowledge is not what Bible Study is about. Bible Study is about under-standing how God works in the hearts of believers. This only comes from engaging other believers in understanding what God is doing in their lives. This is because the Word of God has to be nurtured through prayer, meditation and fellow-ship around the truth. Psalm One tells us that the blessing is upon those who meditate the Law of God. Indeed those of us who meditate the Law of God will prosper and bear fruit in season.

A Bible study on prayer is included in the final two chapters. Understanding how to pray is important. Many people think that prayer is merely a matter of submitting requests to God, whether for personal needs, the needs of others, or divine approval for what is about to be undertaken. Praying for per-sonal needs is understandable, but many think that this is often unnecessary and selfish. Praying for others is thought to be charitable and commendable. Praying for divine approval is thought to be truly noble. Divine approval is praying for travel-ing mercies and protection for troops as they head off into war. However, the aim of the short prayer study is to highlight the importance of seeking the mind of God on matters. This is just a primer and after completing this study, two books are recommended for further reading How To Hear God’s Voice and Prayers that Heal the Heart.

The final chapter concerns what is expected of us if we are to continue in the Word of Life; for if we have repented of our sins and are truly saved, we will bring forth fruit in our life that is evidence of our salvation. Those of us who are not saved cannot bring forth fruit befitting salvation; those of us who are truly saved bring forth fruit that glorifies God. There are four categories of fruit that are identified: the fruit of lips, the fruit of the Spirit, the fruit of righteousness, and the fruit of light.

This is not an exhaustive study on fruit, but a primer. It is up to the student or the leader of the study to do their own medi-tation and reflection upon what these texts mean as they grow in the knowledge of Lord Jesus Christ. A follow up text might be the book You Will Know Them By Their Fruits (which looks at the different types of fruit and presents insights into how they manifest in each one’s lives and what they mean for our walk and growth in God).

It should be noted that fruit reproduces from its seed; how-ever, leaves do not, for they are representative of the gifts of God. For we learn in the Book of Revelation (22:2) that the leaves are for healing.

While it might be beneficial to elaborate more on this subject matter in a lecture format, the aim of a Believer’s Fellowship Bible Study is two-fold. Firstly, the Bible Study should be run to get discussion happening and encourage people to open up to each other around the Word of God. Secondly, a group study should create an atmosphere where people are keen to delve into the truths of Scripture, so participants might grow spiritually from an application of the truth within their own lives. Those who lead ought to think of themselves as facil-itators and servants rather than superior saints when compared to the other members of the group.

My experience and observation of Christians is that the truths of God tend to be “caught rather than taught”. Indoctrination, while seemingly productive in producing people who can regurgitate information, does not produce fruitful Christians who walk by the Spirit of God. Indoctrinated individuals are more inclined to argue about what they think they know, rather than seek to understand where the other person is coming from and what is his or her spiritual need. Proverbs 18:2 sums this up well, by stating that a fool delights not in under-standing, but rather in expressing an opinion. In 1 Corinthians 4:18-20, the Apostle Paul says that he wants to investigate not just the mere knowledge people claim they possess, but the power of God in their lives (i.e. the moral excellence within that causes their lights to shine among their fellow human beings, for whom Jesus Christ died also).

This is not an exhaustive Bible study, yet one that is designed to impart a sound foundation for those seeking the truth and desiring to do the will of God. Some references and comments may seem too lofty. Some references and comments may seem too raw. Some Scripture may seem unnecessary.

In the days of Pentecost and the early church, before the New Testament was written, the Old Testament was the sole source of instruction. Some of the texts taken from the Old Testa-ment may seem a little difficult to explain; but this study is not about exegesis, rather the initial realization that the texts exist and, in recognizing this, how they affect the reader from a devotional point of view. In other words, we are seeking to find what does the text mean to the reader when they read it. This Bible Study is about what does the reading of the Scrip-tures mean to the reader; although, if the leader of the group feels the need to clarify certain points, this is the prerogative of the leader, who should do some prior research, for all Scripture is profitable for our education and edification.

The aim of this Bible Study is to encourage people to prepare for the return of the Lord. We are about to see the last world-wide revival (Matthew 13:39) before the great apostasy and our Lord’s return (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4). We really ought to be getting excited about this momentous event and not be num-bered among the foolish virgins mentioned in the book of Matthew, chapter twenty-five.

Bible Study leaders will benefit from reading How To Have An Effective Bible Study, which was written to complement this study and has proven helpful for all who have read the book and followed the methodology—it really works!.

May God bless you richly as you feast on the words that lead to life and have your prayers answered as a fruitful worker in the Eternal Kingdom.

Happy Riches

November 2022

Introduction

This Bible Study actually begins here with the Introduction. Therefore, it is well worth working through this at the pace of those in attendance and reflecting upon the Scriptures and points raised. In so doing, a better outcome is gained for all who desire to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy multiplied peace and grace in their lives.

The aim of this Bible Study is to lay a firm foundation of the basics of what we need to know. As a result, this is a very simple Bible Study, yet one that can be a very deep. The aim is for all participants to work though the study of Scripture at a pace that enables every text to be discussed thoroughly to the satisfaction of all present; this way optimum value will be ob-tained from meeting together and discussing these Scriptures from a devotional view (applied to oneself).

In the book of Hebrews, we read about Jesus having been designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchezidek. Then the author says that there is much to learn about this, but it is impossible for the people to progress in their understand-ing because they have not grasped the basics.

The writer says, “For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God” (Hebrews 5:12-6:1).

These are strong words, and not to be dismissed. Yet in all likelihood Christians (and most people claiming to be) are not really aware that these words are directed at them.

Hebrews 5:12 For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of God.

“The rudiments of the first principles” is a translation of the Greek “stoicheia stoicheia” which is a double emphasis and means the very basics that form the foundation of knowledge, so that we have the tools to understand and interpret the truth. In other words, unless we know how to add, subtract and multiply, we will not be able to do division when it comes to arithmetic, let alone algebra or geometry. Similarly, unless we know the alphabet, we will not be able to spell or read and write in our own language, let alone another language (Arabic, Chinese, etc.). In like manner, unless we understand the Ten Commandments, we cannot interpret and fully understand the truths of God in the rest of the Bible. The very basics is line upon line, row upon row, like learning how to count with our fingers, using all our digits.

When putting a jigsaw puzzle together, if we are wise, we first line up the perimeter, which forms the outline that frames the picture. This makes for an easier understanding of the picture (the context) into which the other pieces of the puzzle fit. Otherwise, because of similarities, we can easily misconstrue where the pieces belong and tend towards twisting various pieces (Scripture texts) to make them fit a certain view (eisegesis) rather than (exegesis) forming the picture as originally intended by the designer of the puzzle—in respect to the truths of life and the Bible, we are talking about what our Heavenly Father desires for us.

Isaiah 28:9-10 Whom will He teach knowledge? To whom will He explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts? For it is precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little.

Hebrews 5:12 …You have come to need milk, and not solid food.

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow….

It is very difficult for new Christians to realize the need to become a baby in their thinking regarding the spiritual realm. Everyone of us needs to become a baby. Unless this is under-stood, regardless of what we might think we know, we will be unable to walk in the righteousness of God. We will find ourselves unable to be overcomers of the world. We will not receive the complete inheritance that Jesus has bequeathed us —pride will be our stumbling block.

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.

Ephesians 1:18 Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.

Ephesians 5:5 Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.

Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.

Colossians 2:6-8 As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in Him, (7) rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving. (8) Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.

From the above, we ought to realize that there is a need to be enlightened about spiritual realities, if we are to know the truth.

Hebrews 5:13 For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.

Matthew 11:25 At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.”

Matthew 18:3-4 And said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. (4) Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

John 3:3-7 Jesus answered him, “Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew he can’t see God’s Kingdom.” (4) Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” (5) Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom! (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Don’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’”

We cannot see the Kingdom of God from afar, unless we are born again—born from above—for only when we are born from above are we able to see the light in the distance, even though we are still in darkness and have to find our way to our eternal abode, so that we may enter through the door.

Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for those who are full-grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

2 Timothy 2:15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

2 Timothy 3:15-16 From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. (16) Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.

The Scriptures are essential for us to grow in the knowledge of the truth and understand the mind of Christ.

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection.

Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; (26) that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, (27) that He might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without defect.

1 John 2:6 He who says he remains in Him ought himself also to walk just like He walked.

1 John 3:8-9 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that He might destroy the works of the devil. (9) Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because His seed remains in him; and he can’t sin, because he is born of God.

God is perfect and He is doing a perfect work within us, so that we might be presented to Lord Jesus Christ, pure, holy and full of joy, not lacking in anything. We who are born of the Word of God are a new creation because God Himself is now dwelling within us. That which is of God within us no longer commits sin, even though we might sin, we will have no desire to continue in that sin. This being the difference between being a new creation and what we were before being regenerated.

Hebrews 6:1 ….not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God.

Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins….

Hebrews 9:14 How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, (20) idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, (21) envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.

Romans 3:20 Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in His sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin, except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting, unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins.

Hebrews 10:39-11:1 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul. (11:1) Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Colossians 2:6-8 As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving. Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.

The Bible is written so people can continue to grow in the knowledge of the truth. Contrary to what many seem to think, we grow in the knowledge of God’s truth only one lesson at a time and this only happens once we understand the previous lesson. It is easy to think otherwise because people have been known to memorize much of the Bible; students of the Torah have been known to quote the five books of Moses verbatim; others have even been said to have memorized the complete Old Testament; however, this does not guarantee understanding the truths of the Word of God. This can be compared to people who can read but not comprehend, or a savant memorizing the names and addresses and telephone numbers in an entire city, yet not knowing one of the residents in person. Growing in the knowledge of the truth requires experiential understanding, not mere conceptualizing, or academic philosophizing.

For us to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, this has to be of a devotional nature—experiential and heart-felt. This is why, when we read the first verse in chapter six of Hebrews, we discover it informs us about repentance from dead works. We cannot repent from dead works unless we genuinely regret what we have done, and feel sorry with a contrite heart. We are directing our attention towards the Lord God, and expect to have the assurance of forgiveness given to us. This is experiential, very real and not theoretical. Salvation is experiential and the reason why we read that we need to have our faculties trained, through practice, to distinguish right from wrong.

Jesus said that we need to become like children to enter the kingdom; nor will we learn the truths of God unless we become as babes.

Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the middle of them, and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:2-4).

At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal Him.”

(Matthew 11:25-27).

What this means is that Jesus searches the hearts of every person to see who is acceptable to Him. Only those who are willing to be humble and acknowledge that they are in need of a teacher, to teach them the truths of life, are acceptable.

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Unless we realize that just like little children (babes), we are not able to run until we have first learnt how to stand and stay balanced on our feet, there is no way we are going to understand the truths of God. Understanding the only Ten Words written by the Finger of God is essential for us to grow in faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our faculties have to be trained by putting these truths into practice.

Nobody learns skills overnight. Everyone learns skills by actually practicing what is required to become proficient in those skills. Most skills are made up of many micro-skills that are not often taught as such, but are essential to learn before a skill can be recognized as having been mastered.

Running requires balance, but in order for us to be able to run we have to be able to walk, to see and to hear. We also have to learn how to move our feet, legs, hands, breathe correctly, and have our muscles strengthened and the skin on our feet toughened. There are at least ten prerequisites needed before we are able to run: 1) Move hands, 2) move legs, 3) move feet, 4) strengthen muscles, 5) eyesight, 6) crawl, 7) hearing, 8) stand, 9) walk, 10) toughen souls of feet.

We need to become like little children and learn how to walk in the truths of God, if we are to be able to run in the spiritual realm. Paul said that there is no condemnation to those who walk in the Spirit. This does not mean lying on the ground in the Spirit, but walking upright. Many claim that Romans, chapter eight, states that the law is death and the Spirit is life. However, you will notice that those who set their minds on the flesh do not understand the law, because it is spiritual, and those who walk according the flesh set their minds on that which belongs to this world and do not submit themselves to the law. Therefore, they are hostile to God. They cannot please our Heavenly Father (Romans 8:4-8).

The Ten Commandments are the milk of the word, the beginning of our moral and spiritual life. Unless we know what they are, we can never know when we are doing wrong. The more thoroughly we understand them, then the more competent we are to walk in the spiritual realm.

The Ten Commandments are said by many people to be outdated, superseded and done away with; therefore, they are no longer relevant or applicable today. Little do such ignorant people realize the Beatitudes are the Ten Commandments interpreted.[2]

If the Ten Commandments are no longer applicable, does this now mean that it is acceptable to murder and steal? Do you like people stealing from you? Would you like somebody to murder someone you loved?

“You shall not murder” and “You shall not steal” are just two of the Ten Commandments. These two commandments are just as applicable today. This being the case, the other eight commandments must also be applicable. Furthermore, they also provide an explicit outline regarding life’s requirements.

The first thing a Christian needs to understand is that the law is spiritual. Too many people think the Ten Command-ments are not spiritual. They think that they are just some rules that a man wrote which have no genuine spiritual value. This could be because many people claim that simple commonsense tells us that it is wrong to murder someone or to steal from somebody else. Where is the spiritual value in what is basically a matter of ethical human behavior?

Unfortunately, many Christians reading the Bible will tell you that the law is of no value, because, today, Christians are spiritual and not carnal. Yet Paul, the very Apostle whom most of these Christians claim states that the law has no value, says that the Law is spiritual—an undeniable fact, unless Scripture is twisted to fit some other agenda that is not of God.

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual….

In fact, Paul even states that the Jewish nation possessed the embodiment of knowledge and truth[3] within the law that was given by God through Moses (Romans 2:20).

However, there is a distinction to be made between the term “the Law” being a reference to the Ten Commandments, and when the Law refers to what is known as the “ceremonial law”, or when the Law is a reference to both the Ten Command-ments and the ceremonial law. The Law is also a reference to the whole Mosaic Covenant (including the Ten Command-ments and the ceremonial laws) and statutes like not eating off a tree until the fourth year (Leviticus 19:23). In addition to this, the Law can refer to the entire thirty-nine books of the Old Testament which are divided into twenty-four books within the Jewish canon.

The Law can refer to:

1. The Ten Commandments (Matthew 19:17)

2. The ceremonial laws of sacrificial offerings

(Hebrews 10:1-8)

3. The statutes (1 Corinthians 9:9)

4. The Prophets (1 Corinthians 14:21)

5. The complete Old Testament canon [4] (Romans 2:20)

All that God gave to Moses and the Prophets has significance for us today. However, what God gave to Moses has greater significance than many people realize. In order to interpret the Scriptures correctly, we need to understand what is written in the five books of Moses. This includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Nevertheless, when Moses was on Mt Sinai, he was not only told by the Son of God (Galatians 3:19-20)[5] what to do, he was also shown what our Lord God Almighty has ordained in Heaven.

Hebrews 8:5 They serve as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make the tabernacle, for He said, “See, you shall make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.”

If we are to understand the Heavenly things of God, we need to understand the Mosaic Covenant. If Moses was given a copy of what exists in Heaven then it is to our advantage that we learn what they are. Don’t you agree?

Many people say that there is no need to look into the Old Testament. What do you think?

Many Christians claim that since Christ died once for all, the Old Testament is finished and is of no value. Could this be false?

For whatever was written in the Old Testament was written for our instruction Do you accept this? If so, why do you accept this to be the case?

Read the following: “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

When Paul was writing to Timothy about the Sacred Writings, he wrote: “But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:14-15)

To what Scripture or Sacred Writings was Paul referring? Could he have been referring to the book of Revelation or the Gospel of John, or the book of Acts, or the Epistle of Peter, or Epistle of Hebrews, or the Egyptian Book of the Dead, or the Hindu Upanishads? Or was he referring to the Jewish Old Testament, that is, the five books of Moses and the Prophets?

The following Scriptures are not from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, or from The Vedas, or from The Bhagavad Gita, or from The Koran, or from What Confucius Says. When you read “it is written”, where do you think what is being referred to as “it is written” is to be found?

The New Testament quotes below have the references to where they are found in the Old Testament at the end of the verse quoted.

1 Corinthians 1:19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.” (Isaiah 29:14)

1 Corinthians 1:31 As it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love Him.” (Isaiah 64:4)

1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.” (Job 5:13)

1 Corinthians 4:6 Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another.

1 Corinthians 6:16 (ESV ) Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it for the oxen that God cares? (Deuteronomy 25:4)

1 Corinthians 9:10 Or does He say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope. (Pr. 20:4; Is. 28:23-30)

1 Corinthians 10:7 Don’t be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” (Exodus 32:4-6)

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened to them by way of example, (note 2 Tim. 3:14-17) for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. (Psalm 102:18)

1 Corinthians 14:21 In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear Me,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 28:11)

1 Corinthians 15:54 But when this perishable body will have become imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (Isaiah 25:8)

2 Corinthians 4:13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore also we speak. (Psalm 116:10)

2 Corinthians 8:15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” (Exodus 16:18)

2 Corinthians 9:9 As it is written, “He has scattered abroad, He has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.” (Psalm 112:9)

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.” (Deuteronomy 27:26)

Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” (Deuteronomy 21:23)

Galatians 4:22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman. (Genesis 16:2-4,15; 21:1-2,10)

Galatians 4:27 For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break out and shout, you that don’t travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband.” (Isaiah 54:1-5)

Hebrews 10:7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do your will, O God.” (Psalm 40:7-8)

Luke 4:8 Jesus answered him, “Get behind Me Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve Him only.’” (Deuteronomy 6:13-15)

Deuteronomy 30:10 You will obey Yahweh your God’s voice, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law; if you turn to Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul.

Psalm 1 is often quoted by people insisting that you need to meditate the Word of God. You will find that these people will often claim to be NEW TESTAMENT Christians. They are not Old Testament Christians. They belong to the New Covenant. The Old Covenant has been done away with. But God does not change (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8).

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; (2) but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On His law he meditates day and night. (3) He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.

Yes, the old covenant of sacrificial offerings has been done away with, once for all. This is very clear. Jesus himself became the sacrificial offering and has covered us for our sins. Jesus died once on behalf of all. When He died, He who knew no sin actually became sin, so that He might bequeath to us His life. This was a very legal transaction that took place, whereby, the pre-existent Son of God lived on Earth and then bequeathed His inheritance to us when He died. When the human Son of God died on our behalf as a sin offering, He died on behalf of the human race to redeem mankind from the reign of the Evil One. As a consequence of this, the ceremonial offerings of the Law were nailed to the cross along with all the accusations against mankind, and the nation of Israel was no longer required to learn about faith towards God through the ceremonial rites. A new covenant was instituted. However, this new covenant did not mean that sin ceased to exist. This new covenant was the fulfillment of what the old covenant could not do, which is to make atonement for sin. Once atonement for sin had been made, and the death of the righteous Jesus established, His will was then made known to all of Creation.

The will of Jesus reads like this:

I, Jesus, born of a virgin, Mary, have allowed the Devil to capture Me and agree to take my life as a ransom for every human being who has lived, and will live on this Earth, under His reign. Upon my death, I, Jesus, Son of God, bequeath my right to live forever to all who desire to know Me personally, because they believe that I am greater than the Devil and have been raised from the dead; for I am the Lord of lords and the King of kings.

As already noted, in the book of Romans we read that in The Law exists the embodiment of knowledge and truth; that is, the knowledge of true reality and eternal truths.

Romans 2:20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth (ESV).

Hebrews 10:1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near (AMPC[6]).

Note what Romans 7:7 says: What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin, except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting, unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

Romans 3:20 Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in His sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:20 (AMPC) For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character].

Two things are evident in the previous Scriptures:

1. The Law is not some natural thing; it is spiritual and comes from God.

2. The Law leads to salvation through faith in the Son of God, Lord Jesus Christ.

For the Jews, just like so many people today, identification was a very important issue. Male circumcision was the means by which the men liked to identify themselves as being distinctly separate from the heathen. This was a sign given to Abraham that he was circumcised of heart. However, it was a sign that every male descendant originating from Abraham was required to possess. Any male not offspring, who indentified with those who worshipped the God of Abraham, was required to possess this sign of identification also. In respect to Abraham and his male offspring, circumcision became the identifying mark of being chosen of God and not Sabbath-keeping. Circumcision is indisputable. A person is either circumcised or he is not. With circumcision, there is no argument over whether anyone worked on the Sabbath day by rescuing an animal in distress or benefitted from the services of someone else’s labor.

Genesis 17:10-14 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your offspring after you. Every male among you shall be circumcised. (11) You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between Me and you. (12) He who is eight days old will be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the house, or bought with money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring. (13) He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant will be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. (14) The uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people. He has broken my covenant.

Genesis 17:23-27 Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money; every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the same day, as God had said to him. (24) Abraham was ninety-nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. (25) Ishmael, his son, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. (26) In the same day both Abraham and Ishmael, his son, were circumcised. (27) All the men of his house, those born in the house, and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircum-cision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Matthew 5:18 For most certainly, I tell you, until Heaven and Earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.

Isaiah 8:20 Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.

One point that needs clarification is the curse of the law. This brings so much confusion when it comes to understanding what has been done away with regarding the law, and what is still valid; what is an attempt at salvation by works and what is faith producing works—the fruit of faith.

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

In this context, the Apostle is talking about all the Law that was given to the Israelites, which included the ceremonial practices as well as the statutes (commercial, civil, religious, governmental), commandments, charge, judgments, etc.

Deuteronomy 27:26 Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them. All the people shall say, “Amen.”

While there is a curse that came with the Law that was given to Israel, there was also a promise of blessing.

Jeremiah 11:2-5 Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem; (3) and say to them, Yahweh, the God of Israel says: Cursed is the man who doesn’t hear the words of this covenant, (4) which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so you shall be my people, and I will be your God; (5) that I may establish the oath which I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is today. Then answer-ed I, and said, Amen, Yahweh.

The Apostle Paul is not saying that the Ten Commandments, written with God’s Own Finger, are done away with, but the covenant that was made with Israel has been annulled, because the new covenant is that of the Spirit of God, not the written code. No longer is the priest’s butcher-culture required.

Evidently, nobody was able to keep all the requirements of the covenant. Two reasons stand out:

1. As soon as a person sinned by violating one of the Ten Commandments, that person had been condemned by the standard required for a perfect relationship with God.

2. The sacrificial offerings that were required for recon-ciliation did not actually appease the just requirement of the law. They were ineffectual—merely the blood of animals. Only through faith was a person justified, even when performing the rituals (symbolic works) of the Law.

Today people are still justified by faith, but the new covenant has done away with the requirements of a priest (possessing the skills of a butcher) to prepare the sacrificial offerings of animals, so that people may believe that what they are doing is what God requires. Now we have to demonstrate that we are walking in the Spirit of God and producing the fruit that reflects the nature of God, because a circumcision that is without hands occurs. Therefore faith without works that does not produce the fruit of repentance is dead. Understanding the Ten Commandments enables us to set our sights on what is right and exercise faith towards God, otherwise, we will be living a life of cheap grace, thinking that we are saved, when, in fact, we are still caught in sin.

The Holy Spirit sanctifies us and intercedes on our behalf, as does Lord Jesus Christ, who searches for the genuine of heart.

Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. (27) He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

The best way to gain the most out of this Bible Study is for participants to work through the Scriptures at a pace that is acceptable to all the members of the group. Everyone ought to be given the opportunity to present how he or she sees the Scriptures, so a greater understanding can be gained. There are no accolades from God for being the first to finish anything, only for humility (Phil. 2:1-8; Prov. 22:4).

A Note to The Leader

When leading this study, it pays to at least read the introduction and also to read and be conversant with the context of the texts; as well as the broader implications of what they may mean. This way you are able to serve the other participants with better guidance. It is imperative to the success of each fellowship group that those leading understand this is about upholding the Royal Law of God and not human legalism. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Indeed, blessed are the merciful.

As you continue in this Bible Study, take your time and prayerfully seek the truth of the Milk of God’s Word. Every person, who takes this study to heart and completes it in a group is truly fortified within. Indeed, when we become stronger in the spiritual realm we find it easier to stand against the wiles of the devil. This study takes around twenty-six meetings of two hour discussion in groups of three to six.

Ephesians 6:11-18 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; (16) above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (18) with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit.

The more people that are helped to become strong in the basics of their faith towards God through Lord Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, the sooner the number of the Gentiles that are to be saved will be accomplished. The Amplified Bible (Classic Edition) reads:

Lest you be self-opinionated (wise in your own conceits), I do not want you to miss this hidden truth and mystery, brethren: a hardening (insensibility) has [temporarily] befallen a part of Israel [to last] until the full number of the ingathering of the Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:25 AMPC).

Lord Jesus is going to bring this massive revival about through people like you and me, who grow in faith and allow the Holy Spirit to reign in our lives, as we learn the truths of Scripture and have our faculties trained through practice to discern right from wrong, good from evil, and not be deceived, because we possess the truth of God in our hearts and minds.

First Commandment

Exodus 20:1-3

God spoke all these words, saying,

“I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” (WEB)

The salient points of this commandment are:

1. God speaks (Mark 12:28, 29).

2. God states who He is: YHWH the deliverer.

3. YHWH delivers from the temporal land of Egypt

(Gen.15:13-14).

4. And the house of bondage or slavery, (which signifies being in bondage to sin).

5. You are to have no gods before YHWH your Savior.

Galatians 4:8-9 (WEB) However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods. (9) But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles [demonic-familiar spirits of the world system], to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?

Ephesians 2:1-3 (WEB) You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, (2) in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; (3) among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (WEB) Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish; (4) in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.

Ezekiel 32:2 (ESV) Son of man, raise a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: “You consider yourself a lion of the nations, but you are like a dragon in the seas; you burst forth in your rivers, trouble the waters with your feet, and foul their rivers”.

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Proverbs 28:15 (ESV) Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people [slaves].

Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and His angels were thrown down with him.

Revelation 11:6-8 (ESV) [Two Witnesses] They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. (7) And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, (8) and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that spiritually is called Sodom [wickedness—personification of sin] and Egypt, [type of the world] where their Lord was crucified.

Matthew 2:13-15 (ESV) Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." (14) And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt (15) and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son".

Deuteronomy 4:35-37 (ESV) To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him. (36) Out of heaven He let you hear His voice, that He might discipline you. And on earth He let you see His great fire, and you heard His words out of the midst of the fire. (37) And because He loved your fathers and chose their offspring after them and brought you out of Egypt with His own presence, by His great power.

[N.B. The Lord God speaks (Ex. 20:1) “And God spoke all these words, saying,…” (Hear, O Israel)]

Hebrews 3:7 (ESV) Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear His voice.”

Hebrews 3:15 (ESV) As it is said, "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."

Hebrews 4:7 (ESV) Again He appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts."

Revelation 3:20 (ESV) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.

John 10:27 (ESV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

[Everybody is born into a world (Egypt) that is controlled by Lucifer (Pharaoh), the god of this world system. The God of the Universe rescues those who seek Him out, who hear and obey His Voice, and then learn to trust Him as Lord and Savior—this is the First commandment. It uses typology and symbolism and sets the precedent for the other command-ments in that they need to be interpreted correctly by using Scripture.]

Psalm 14:2 (AMPC) The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understood, dealt wisely, and sought after God, inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him [of vital necessity].

Second Commandment

Exodus 20:4-6

This commandment has two distinct parts.

Part 1

You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: (5) you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate Me, (6) and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love Me and keep my commandments.

You Shall Not Make Any Image (Rom 1:22,23)

In an interview with The Guardian newspaper in April 4, 2011, Tim Flannery laid out some of the beliefs of a new climate religion, including his conception of 'Gaia' in very human terms: For the first time, this global super-organism, this global intelligence will be able to send a signal, a strong and clear signal to the earth. And what that means in a sense is that we can, we will be a regulating intelligence for the planet, I'm sure, in the future ... And lead to a stronger Gaia, if you will, a stronger earth system. It's not the first time Flannery has made religious statements about 'Gaia'.

When appearing on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Science Show in January 2012, Flannery said: ‘This planet, this Gaia, will have acquired a brain and a nervous system. That will make it act as a living animal, as a living organism, at some sort of level.'—From the website of The Institute of Public Affairs (Australia), an independent, non-profit public policy think tank, dedicated to preserving and strengthening the foundations of economic and political freedom since 1943. [Gaia was the great mother of all: the primal Greek Mother Goddess; creator and giver of birth to the Earth and all the Universe—now the scientific image of God, originally proposed in the late 1960s by James Lovelock.]

You shall not bow down before them and

You shall not serve their images (idols)

Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest you lift up your eyes to the sky, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the army of the sky, you are drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which Yahweh your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole sky.

Deuteronomy 17:3 And has gone and served other gods, and worshiped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the stars of the sky, which I have not commanded.

2 Kings 17:16 They abandoned all the commandments of Yahweh their God, and made molten images for themselves, even two calves, and made an Asherah, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served Baal.

2 Kings 21:3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he raised up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel did, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served them.

2 Chronicles 18:18 Micaiah said, “Therefore hear Yahweh’s word: I saw Yahweh sitting on His throne, and all the army of heaven standing on His right hand and on His left.”

Ezekiel 14:4-7 Therefore speak to them, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Every man of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart, and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and comes to the prophet; I Yahweh will answer him therein according to the multitude of his idols; (5) that I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from Me through their idols. (6) Therefore tell the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Return, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. (7) For everyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live in Israel, who separates himself from Me, and takes his idols into his heart, and puts the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and comes to the prophet to inquire for himself of me; I Yahweh will answer him by myself.

Colossians 3:4-6 When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with Him in glory. (5) Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; (6) for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

1 Peter 4:1-4 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; (2) that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. (3) For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries. (4) They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, blaspheming.

Matthew 17:1-6 After six days, Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. (2) He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as the light. (3) Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with Him. (4) Peter answered, and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (5) While He was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” (6) When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.

1 Samuel 15:22-24 Samuel said, “Has Yahweh as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying Yahweh’s voice? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. (23) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because you have rejected Yahweh’s word, He has also rejected you from being king.” (24) Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of Yahweh, and your words, because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.”

Mary Mother of God /Queen of Heaven

The following is Roman Catholic teaching. —Council Ephesus (home of Artemis/Diana Queen of Heaven) June 431 AD Twelve canonical anathemas.

Canon. 1. If anyone does not confess that God is truly Emmanuel, and that on this account the Holy Virgin is the Mother of God (for according to the flesh she gave birth to the Word of God become flesh by birth), let him be anathema (condemned, i.e. excommunicated).

That Kingdom ruled by God is the same as the Kingdom ruled eternally by the Son of David. It is not an earthly kingdom, though it is present on earth in the Church, but a heavenly kingdom, the Kingdom of God. The Queen of that Kingdom is the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Lord God Jesus Christ.—Colin B. Donovan, STL, Solemnity of the Incarnation, Year of the Father, 1999. Head of the Roman Catholic Television Network and University Lecturer.[7]

If God had a mother, then she would be greater than God. Does God have a mother? Who is God’s Mother?

Luke 1:46-47 Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. 47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”

Jeremiah 44:17-25 But we will certainly perform every word that has gone out of our mouth, to burn incense to the queen of the sky, and to pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem; for then had we plenty of food, and were well, and saw no evil. (18) But since we left off burning incense to the queen of the sky [Queen of Heaven], and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. (19) When we burned incense to the queen of the sky [Queen of Heaven], and poured out drink offerings to her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings to her, without our husbands?

(20) Then Jeremiah said to all the people, to the men, and to the women, even to all the people who had given him an answer, saying, (21) The incense that you burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, didn’t Yahweh remember them, and didn’t it come into his mind? (22) so that Yahweh could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which you have committed; therefore your land has become a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without inhabitant, as it is today. (23) Because you have burned incense, and because you have sinned against Yahweh, and have not obeyed Yahweh’s voice, nor walked in His law, nor in His statutes, nor in His testimonies; therefore this evil has happened to you, as it is today. (24) Moreover Jeremiah said to all the people, and to all the women, Hear Yahweh’s word, all Judah who are in the land of Egypt: (25) Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says, You and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and with your hands have fulfilled it, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of the sky, and to pour out drink offerings to her: establish then your vows, and perform your vows.

Jeremiah 7:16-18 Therefore don’t pray for this people, neither lift up a cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me; for I will not hear you. (17) Don’t you see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? (18) The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the dough, to make cakes to the queen of the sky [Queen of Heaven], and to pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger.

Part 2

…(5) for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate Me, (6) and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love Me and keep my commandments. (ESV)

Four important points

1. YHWH is a jealous God

2. Visits sin to the third and fourth generation

3. Shows mercy and love to those who love him

4. Those who love God keep His commandments

1. YHWH Is A Jealous God

Exodus 34:12-16 Be careful, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be for a snare in the middle of you: (13) but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherah poles; (14) for you shall worship no other god: for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

(15) Don’t make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, lest they play the prostitute after their gods, and sacrifice to their gods, and one call you and you eat of his sacrifice; (16) and you take of their daughters to your sons, and their daughters play the prostitute after their gods, and make your sons play the prostitute after their gods.

1 Corinthians 10:14-22 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (15) I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say. (16) The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ? (17) Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread. (18) Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don’t those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? (19) What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? (20) But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don’t desire that you would have fellowship with demons. (21) You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons. (22) Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Visits Sin To The Third And Fourth Generation

Genesis 15:12-16 When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. Now terror and great darkness fell on him. (13) He said to Abram, “Know for sure that your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them. They will afflict them four hundred years. (14) I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great wealth, (15) but you will go to your fathers in peace. You will be buried at a good old age. (16) In the fourth generation they will come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.”

Galatians 3:17 Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.

James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, produces death.

Colossians 3:4-6 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition, AMPC) When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory. (5) So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God). (6) It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will).

1 Corinthians 10:6-11 (Warning Against Idolatry coming out of Egypt 4th generation) Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. (7) Don’t be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” (8) Let us not commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell. (9) Let us not test Christ, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents. (10) Don’t grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer. (11) Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

Deuteronomy 32:16-24 They moved Him to jealousy with strange gods. They provoked Him to anger with abominations. (17) They sacrificed to demons, not God, to gods that they didn’t know, to new gods that came up recently, which your fathers didn’t dread.

(18) Of the Rock who became your father, you are unmindful, and have forgotten God who gave you birth. (19) Yahweh saw and abhorred, because of the provocation of His sons and His daughters. (20) He said, “I will hide my face from them. I will see what their end will be; for they are a very perverse generation, children in whom is no faithfulness. (21) They have moved Me to jealousy with that which is not God. They have provoked Me to anger with their vanities. I will move them to jealousy with those who are not a people. I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. (22) For a fire is kindled in my anger, that burns to the lowest Sheol, devours the earth with its increase, and sets the foundations of the mountains on fire. (23) I will heap evils on them. I will spend my arrows on them. (24) They shall be wasted with hunger, and devoured with burning heat and bitter destruction. I will send the teeth of animals on them, with the venom of vipers that glide in the dust.

Could it be more than coincidence that many Christian congregations begin to fall away by the third generation, after having been founded, and by the fourth generation, they are struggling to survive?

Shows Mercy And Love To Those Who Love Him

1 Peter 4:1-6 (Stewards of God’s Grace) Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; (2) that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. (3) For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries. (4) They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, blaspheming: (5) who will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (6) For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.

1 John 3:4-10 Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. (5) You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and in Him is no sin. (6) Whoever remains in Him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins hasn’t seen Him and doesn’t know Him. (7) Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. (8) He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that He might destroy the works of the devil. (9) Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because His seed remains in him; and he can’t sin, because he is born of God. (10) In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn’t love his brother.

1 John 3:19-20 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and persuade our hearts before Him, (20) because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall. (13) No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:22-23 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? (23) “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up.

1 John 3:21-22 Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God; (22) and whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

Numbers 14:17-20 And now, I pray You, let the power of my Lord be great, as You have promised, saying, (18) The Lord is long-suffering and slow to anger, and abundant in mercy and loving-kindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and fourth generation. (19) Pardon, I pray You, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your mercy and loving-kindness, just as You have forgiven [them] from Egypt until now. (20) And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to your word. (AMPC)

Those Who Love God Keep His Commandments

1 John 3:23-24 This is His commandment, that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as He commanded. (24) He who keeps His commandments remains in Him, and He in him. By this we know that He remains in us, by the Spirit which He gave us.

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that He might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace.

1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircum-cision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

1 John 2:3-4 This is how we know that we know Him: if we keep His commandments. (4) One who says, “I know Him,” and doesn’t keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him.

1 John 3:22 And whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

1 John 3:24 He who keeps His commandments remains in Him, and He in him. By this we know that He remains in us, by the Spirit which He gave us.

1 John 5:2-3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. (3) For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. His commandments are not grievous.

2 John 1:6 This is love, that we should walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

Revelation 12:17 The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep God’s commandments and hold Jesus’ testimony.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Third Commandment

Exodus 20:7

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

1. What is the name of the Lord Your God?

2. How do you take God’s name in vain?

3. Why does the Lord not hold him guiltless?

The New Revised Standard Version translates the Third Commandment: "You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses His name." The meaning of the Hebrew word “nasa” translated wrongfully use and misuse—take in vain in other translations—is deceit; deception; malice; falsity; vanity; emptiness (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Deceit).

Having a relationship with God demands that we represent Him accurately, sincerely and respectfully—not with profanity and slang.

Probably the most obvious way of breaking the Third Commandment is through the use of profanity—using God's name in abusive, vulgar and irreverent slang and jargon. The defiling of the name of God—or that of His Son, Jesus Christ—is nearly universal. Since the dawn of history, most of mankind has never shown the respect to God that He deserves.

Profanity is not the only way we can abuse God's name. Anyone who carelessly uses the name of God—or Christ—in his everyday speech simply doesn't know God as he should. Yet, strangely, he may think and insist that he does.

In some ways such a person is similar to Job, who explained his perspective of God—both before and after God pointed out to him how pride was motivating much of his thinking. Job finally realized that he had not known God as well as he had thought. "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear," confessed Job, "but now my eye sees You" (Job 42:5).

Many who have heard much about God carelessly assume they know Him—that they have an acceptable relationship with Him. Yet they have never learned really to respect Him.

They demean and degrade Him by flippantly using His name in everyday conversation. They unwittingly announce to all who hear them that respect for God is simply not important to them, even though they may believe He exists.

No matter how indifferently one may regard this kind of disrespect for God, the Third Commandment makes it clear that God Himself does not take it lightly—"for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." Misusing His name in any way spiritually defiles us in the eyes of God.

Most of us have at times expressed disrespect for God. Like Job, we probably have had to—or still need to—re-evaluate our own attitudes toward our Creator. Once Job grasped the reality of his irreverent attitude, he saw himself in a realistic light and said "Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6).

In the same way, we need to repent of attitudes that would lead to irreverence. We need to guard our speech and treat God's name with respect.

Jesus Christ fully reveals God to us.

What Is The Name Of The Lord Your God?

Exodus 3:13-14 Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you;’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ What should I tell them?” (14) God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and He said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.”

Proverbs 30:3-4 I have not learned wisdom, neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One. (4) Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His son’s name, if you know?

Exodus 23:20-21 Behold, I send an angel before you, to keep you by the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. (21) Pay attention to him, and listen to His voice. Don’t provoke him, for he will not pardon your disobedience, for my name is in him.

Exodus 34:14 For you shall worship no other god: for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

1 Corinthians 6:11 Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own.

1 Corinthians 10:9-10 Let us not test Christ, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents. 10 Don’t grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.

How Do You Take God’s Name In Vain?

1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.

Mark 4:7 Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

Isaiah 29:13 The Lord said, “Because this people draws near with their mouth and with their lips to honor Me, but they have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear of Me is a commandment of men which has been taught.”

Galatians 1:14 I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Mark 7:6 He answered them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.’”

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) Many will tell Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ (23) Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who work iniquity.’”

Proverbs 30:8-9 Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me; (9) lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is Yahweh?’ or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God

Why does the Lord not hold him guiltless?

Ezekiel 36:20-21 When they came to the nations, where they went, they profaned my holy name; in that men said of them, These are the people of Yahweh, and are gone out of His land. (21) But I had respect for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations, where they went.

Ezekiel 20:27 Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: In this moreover have your fathers blasphemed Me, in that they have committed a trespass against Me.

Romans 2:24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.

Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

John 9:41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.

Fourth Commandment

Ex 20:8-11

Five Aspects To The Sabbath

1. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

2. You shall labor six days, and do all your work,

3. but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your

God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates.

4. for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day;

5. therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy.

Remember The Sabbath Day

Alerting people to remember the Sabbath means to recall past experience and events; that is, being mindful and able to recognize and understand that which has taken place.

Genesis 2:1-3 The heavens, the earth, and all their vast array were finished. (2) On the seventh day God finished His work which He had done; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. (3) God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because He rested in it from all His work of creation which He had done.

Deuteronomy 5:15 You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Therefore Yahweh your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

N.B. The Sabbath day has to do with Salvation. Contemplate this in the light of Galatians 5:1.

Six Days You Shall Labor

[Labor means: Physical or mental exertion, especially when difficult or exhausting (demanding and draining work). Consequently, child birth is called labor; as is the process by which the birth of a mammal occurs, beginning with contractions of the uterus and ending with the expulsion of the fetus and the placenta.]

Hebrews 4:9-11 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; (10) for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. (11) Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. Or, (ESV) let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. (KJV) Labor to enter that rest.

[Nobody is to work on your behalf, animal or human. This means you are not to have an animal walking around a turntable to crush wheat, or draw water.]

[This commandment is not impossible to keep from a Jewish perspective, however, there is something else to which this commandment is alluding, and this is learning to put our trust in God.]

Matthew 9:13 But you go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,” for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matthew 12:7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.

James 2.13 For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Matthew 12:1-6 At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. (2) But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to Him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” (3) But He said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him; (4) how he entered into God’s house, and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests? (5) Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless? (6) But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.

Matthew 9:10-12 As He sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and His disciples. (11) When the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (12) When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.

[Many do not realize YHWH (considered the inexpressible name of God) made the Heavens and Earth. The consonants YH and WH are the sounds we make respectively when we breath in and then when we breath out.]

Creation Is About Life Not Death.

Acts 17:24-31 The God who made the world and all things in it, He, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, (25) neither is He served by men’s hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He himself gives to all life and breath, and all things. (26) He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings, (27) that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. (28) ‘For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ (29) Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. (30) The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now He commands that all people everywhere should repent, (31) because He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom He has ordained; of which He has given assurance to all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead.”

The Seventh Day Was Made Holy

To be holy means to be set apart and distinctive.

Hebrews 3:7-14 Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you will hear His voice, (8) don’t harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness, (9) where your fathers tested Me by proving Me, and saw my deeds for forty years. (10) Therefore I was displeased with that generation, and said, ‘They always err in their heart, but they didn’t know my ways;’ (11) as I swore in my wrath,‘ They will not enter into my rest.’” (12) Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God; (13) but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called “today”; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (14) For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end.

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.

Which Day Is The Sabbath Rest?

Some say Saturday, some Sunday, but which day does the Bible say is the day of the Sabbath rest?

Hebrews 4:1-7 Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into His rest. (2) For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard. (3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as He has said, “As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest”; although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. (4) For He has said this somewhere about the seventh day, “God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; (5) and in this place again, “They will not enter into my rest. (6) Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter therein, and they to whom the good news was before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience, 7 He again defines a certain day, today, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said), “Today if you will hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts.”

Who Is Lord Of The Sabbath Rest?

Mark 2:27-28 He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

Matthew 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath.

Fifth Commandment

Exodus 20:12

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.

This commandment has two parts with the second part dependent upon the first.

1) Honor Your Father and Your Mother.

2) Days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you.

On the surface, this essentially says that if the Israelites honor their parents, they will have a long, healthy and prosperous life in the land God is giving them.

This commandment acknowledges that God is the provider and not one’s parents. Even though we are born of our parents, God is the Creator; parents are the procreators.

To show honor to your parents is to demonstrate your appreciation for what they have done for you, by acknowledging your father and mother with such high esteem that you consider it a privilege to identify with them.

Honor Your Father and Your Mother

Ephesians 5:31-32 “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.” (32) This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly.

Matthew 15:3-4 He answered them, “Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition? (4) For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’”

Honor God

1 Samuel 2:30 “Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘I said indeed that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before Me forever.’ But now Yahweh says, ‘Far be it from me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed.’”

John 5:23 That all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent Him.

Malachi 2:2 “If you will not listen, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name,” says Yahweh of Armies, “then will I send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have cursed them already, because you do not lay it to heart.”

Matthew 10:32 Everyone therefore who confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven.

Luke 12:8-9 I tell you, everyone who confesses Me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God; (9) but he who denies Me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God.

Instruction in the Lord

Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (2) “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: (3) “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” (4) You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Jesus Provided People To Instruct

1 Corinthians 4:15 For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News.

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

Ephesians 4:11-12 He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; (12) for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 16:15-16 Now I beg you, brothers (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to serve the saints), (16) that you also be in subjection to such, and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.

The Promise

Mark 3:35 For whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

1 John 2:17 The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.

3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

(King James 2000 Bible[8])

Matthew 19:29 Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life.

Mark 10:30 But he will receive one hundred times more now in this time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life

Sixth Commandment

Exodus 20:13

You Shall Not Murder

You shall not kill another human intentionally, or unintentionally, or by accident, or commit murder in your heart.

No Ransom For Murder

Numbers 35:31 Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death; but he shall surely be put to death.

Whoever Kills Any Person, The Murderer

Numbers 35:30 …shall be slain at the mouth of witnesses; but one witness shall not testify against any person that he die.

Rape Seen as Murder

Deuteronomy 22:25-27 But if the man finds the lady who is pledged to be married in the field, and the man forces her, and lies with her; then only the man who lay with her shall die; (26) but to the lady you shall do nothing. There is in the lady no sin worthy of death; for as when a man rises against his neighbor, and kills him, even so is this matter; (27) for he found her in the field, the pledged to be married lady cried, and there was no one to save her.

Children Not To Pay

2 Kings 14:6 But the children of the murderers he didn’t put to death; according to that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, as Yahweh commanded, saying, “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall die for his own sin.”

Cities of Refuge

Numbers 35:11-29 Then you shall appoint for yourselves cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the man slayer who kills any person unwittingly may flee there. (12) The cities shall be to you for refuge from the avenger, that the man slayer not die, until he stands before the congregation for judgment. (13) The cities which you shall give shall be for you six cities of refuge. (14) You shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and you shall give three cities in the land of Canaan. They shall be cities of refuge. (15) For the children of Israel, and for the stranger and for the foreigner living among them, shall these six cities be for refuge; that everyone who kills any person unwittingly may flee there. (16) But if he struck him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death. (17) If he struck him with a stone in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death. (18) Or if he struck him with a weapon of wood in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death. (19) The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death. When he meets him, he shall put him to death. (20) If he shoved him out of hatred, or hurled at him, lying in wait, so that he died, (21) or in hostility struck him with his hand, so that he died, he who struck him shall surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death, when he meets him. (22) “‘But if he shoved him suddenly without hostility, or hurled on him anything without lying in wait, (23) or with any stone, by which a man may die, not seeing him, and cast it on him, so that he died, and he was not his enemy, neither sought his harm; (24) then the congregation shall judge between the striker and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances. (25) The congregation shall deliver the man slayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, where he had fled. He shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. (26) But if the man slayer shall at any time go beyond the border of his city of refuge, where he flees, (27) and the avenger of blood finds him outside of the border of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the man slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood, (28) because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest, the man slayer shall return into the land of his possession.(29) These things shall be for a statute and ordinance to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Cause of Strife

James 4:1-3 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members? (2) You lust, and don’t have. You murder and covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask. (3) You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures.

Use Reason

Leviticus 19:17 You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.

Refusal to Listen

Matthew 18:15-19 If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. (16) But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17) If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector. (18) Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven. (19) Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.

Proverbs 1:29-31 …because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh. (30) They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof. (31) Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.

Lose Eternal Life

1 John 3:15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.

Love/Hate/Lies

1 John 4:20 If a man says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

Murderer/liar

John 8:44 You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and its father.

Keep Eternal Life

John 12:25 He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.

Reviled For The Name

Luke 6:22 Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.

Brethren Who Reject the Word

Isaiah 66:5 Hear Yahweh’s word, you who tremble at His word: “Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, ‘Let Yahweh be glorified, that we may see your joy;’ but it is those who shall be disappointed.’”

Love Persecutors

Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. (44) But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you.’”

Bless Those Who Hate You

Luke 6:27-28 But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (28) bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.

Loved Righteousness

Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

Visits Sin/Mercy

Exodus 20:5 You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate Me.

Deuteronomy 7:9-11 Know therefore that Yahweh your God himself is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with them who love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations, (10) and repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack to him who hates Him. He will repay him to his face. (11) You shall therefore keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances, which I command you today, to do them

Seventh Commandment

Exodus 20:14

You shall not commit adultery

Definition: Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than the lawful spouse, or extramarital sex that willfully and maliciously interferes with marriage relations, or sexual intercourse between individuals who are not married to one another.

A truer definition would be:

Adultery is the act of giving oneself to another person after having made a commitment to one’s first partner of the opposite sex.

Genesis 1:26-27 God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (27) God created man in His own image. In God’s image He created him; male and female He created them.

Deuteronomy 22:28-29 If a man finds a lady who is a virgin, who is not pledged to be married, grabs her, and lies with her, and they are found; (29) then the man who lay with her shall give to the lady’s father fifty shekels of silver. She shall be his wife, because he has humbled her. He may not put her away all his days.—[They are married because two became one flesh].

Divorce

Malachi 2:15-16 Did He not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring! So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.(16) “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” (ESV))

Matthew 5:32 But I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.

Mark 10:11-12 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her. (12) If a woman herself divorces her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery.”

Changing Circumstances:

Leviticus 20:21 If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is an impurity. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be childless.

Deuteronomy 25:5 If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies, and has no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her, and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her.

Exodus 22:16-17 If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price for her and make her his wife. (17) If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins. (ESV)—[The girl is no longer a virgin and is now an adultress.]

Leviticus 19:20 If a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave girl, pledged to be married to another man, and not ransomed, or given her freedom; they shall be punished. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free. (ESV)— [essentially makes her a prostitute.]

Rape

Deuteronomy 22:25 But if in the open country a man meets a young woman who is betrothed, and the man seizes her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die. 26 But you shall do nothing to the young woman; she has committed no offense punishable by death. For this case is like that of a man attacking and murdering his neighbor, 27 because he met her in the open country, and though the betrothed young woman cried for help there was no one to rescue her. (ESV)

Matter of the heart

Matthew 5:28 But I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Jeremiah 3:9 Because she took her prostitution lightly, the land was polluted, and she committed adultery with stones and with wood.

Spiritual adultery

Jeremiah 5:7 How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken Me, and sworn by what are no gods. When I had fed them to the full, they committed adultery, and assembled themselves in troops at the prostitutes’ houses.

Ezekiel 23:37 For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands; and with their idols have they committed adultery; and they have also caused their sons, whom they bore to Me, to pass through the fire to them to be devoured.

Isaiah 50:1 Yahweh says, “Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, with which I have put her away? Or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Behold, you were sold for your iniquities, and your mother was put away for your transgressions.”

Jeremiah 3:1 If a man divorces his wife and she goes from him and becomes another man's wife, will he return to her? Would not that land be greatly polluted? You have played the whore with many lovers; and would you return to me? declares the LORD. (ESV)

Jeremiah 3:8 I saw when, for this very cause, that backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a bill of divorce, yet treacherous Judah, her sister, had no fear; but she also went and played the prostitute.

Forgiveness

Matthew 9:13 But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Romans 4:5 But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

Romans 5:8 But God commends His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(9) They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. Jesus was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle. (10) Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, “Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?”

(11) She said, “No one, Lord.”

Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”

Appreciate Your Freedom In The Lord

I Corinthians 7:17,21-24 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches….(21) Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) (22) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. (23) You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. (24) So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 6:13-19 “Foods for the belly, and the belly for foods,” but God will bring to nothing both it and them. But the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. (14) Now God raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up by His power. (15) Don’t you know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! (16) Or don’t you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, “The two”, He says, “will become one flesh.” (17) But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit. (18) Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (19) Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own.

Proverbs 31:3 Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

I Corinthians 6:9-11 Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, (10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom. (11) Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.

Hebrews 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

Masturbation

Leviticus 15:16-17 If any man has an emission of semen, then he shall bathe all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the evening. (17) Every garment, and every skin, whereon the semen is, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the evening.

1 Thessalonians 4:2-4 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. (3) For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, (4) that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor.

Matthew 5:27-30 You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery;” (28) but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. (29) If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. (30) If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.

Colossians 3:5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Menstruation

Leviticus 15:24 If any man lies with her, and her monthly flow is on him, he shall be unclean seven days; and every bed whereon he lies shall be unclean.

Unlawful Marriages and lusts

Leviticus 18:6-30 None of you shall approach anyone who are his close relatives, to uncover their nakedness: I am Yahweh. (7) You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, nor the nakedness of your mother: she is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness. (8) You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife. It is your father’s nakedness. (9) You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home, or born abroad. (10) You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son’s daughter, or of your daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness: for theirs is your own nakedness. (11) You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, conceived by your father, since she is your sister. (12) You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister: she is your father’s near kinswoman. (13) You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister: for she is your mother’s near kinswoman. (14) You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother, you shall not approach his wife. She is your aunt. (15) You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law: she is your son’s wife. You shall not uncover her nakedness. (16) You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness. (17) You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness. (18) You shall not take a wife to her sister, to be a rival, to uncover her nakedness, while her sister is yet alive. (19) You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness. (20) You shall not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife, and defile yourself with her. (21) “‘You shall not give any of your children to sacrifice to Molech. You shall not profane the name of your God. I am Yahweh. (22) “‘You shall not lie with a man, as with a woman. That is detestable. (23) You shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it. No woman may give herself to an animal, to lie down with it: it is a perversion.

(24) Don’t defile yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you were defiled. (25) The land was defiled: therefore I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out her inhabitants. (26) You therefore shall keep my statutes and my ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the native-born, nor the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you; (27) (for the men of the land that were before you had done all these abominations, and the land became defiled); (28) that the land not vomit you out also, when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you. (29) For whoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people. (30) Therefore you shall keep my requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs, which were practiced before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them. I am Yahweh your God.

Leviticus 19:29 Don’t profane your daughter, to make her a prostitute; lest the land fall to prostitution, and the land become full of wickedness.

Punishments for Sexual Immorality

Leviticus 20:10-21 The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, even he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. (11) The man who lies with his father’s wife has uncovered his father’s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. (12) If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have committed a perversion; their blood shall be upon them. (13) If a man lies with a male, as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. (14) If a man takes a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burned with fire, both he and they; that there may be no wickedness among you. (15) If a man lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death; and you shall kill the animal. (16) If a woman approaches any animal, and lies down with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. (17) If a man takes his sister, his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness; it is a shameful thing. They shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness. He shall bear his iniquity. (18) If a man lies with a woman having her monthly period, and uncovers her nakedness; he has made naked her fountain, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from among their people. (19) You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, nor of your father’s sister; for he has made his close relative naked. They shall bear their iniquity. (20) If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness. They shall bear their sin. They shall die childless. (21) If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is an impurity. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be childless.

Leviticus 21:7-9 They shall not marry a woman who is a prostitute, or profane. They shall not marry a woman divorced from her husband; for he is holy to his God. (8) You shall sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy to you; for I Yahweh, who sanctify you, am holy. (9) The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the prostitute, she profanes her father. She shall be burned with fire.

Leviticus 21:13-15 He shall take a wife in her virginity. (14) A widow, or one divorced, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry: but a virgin of his own people shall he take as a wife. (15) He shall not profane his offspring among his people, for I am Yahweh who sanctifies him.

Cross-dressing

Deuteronomy 22:5 A woman shall not wear men’s clothing, neither shall a man put on women’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh your God.

Deuteronomy 22:20-30 But if this thing is true, that the tokens of virginity were not found in the young lady; (21) then they shall bring out the young lady to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has done folly in Israel, to play the prostitute in her father’s house. So you shall remove the evil from among you. (22) If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both die, the man who lay with the woman and the woman. So you shall remove the evil from Israel. (23) If there is a young lady who is a virgin pledged to be married to a husband, and a man finds her in the city, and lies with her; (24) then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones; the lady, because she didn’t cry, being in the city; and the man, because he has humbled his neighbor’s wife. So you shall remove the evil from among you. (25) But if the man finds the lady who is pledged to be married in the field, and the man forces her, and lies with her; then only the man who lay with her shall die; (26) but to the lady you shall do nothing. There is in the lady no sin worthy of death; for as when a man rises against his neighbor, and kills him, even so is this matter; (27) for he found her in the field, the pledged to be married lady cried, and there was no one to save her. (28) If a man finds a lady who is a virgin, who is not pledged to be married, grabs her, and lies with her, and they are found; (29) then the man who lay with her shall give to the lady’s father fifty shekels of silver. She shall be his wife, because he has humbled her. He may not put her away all his days. (30) A man shall not take his father’s wife, and shall not uncover his father’s skirt.

Proverbs 5:17-20 Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you. (18) Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. (19) A loving doe and a graceful deer—let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love. (20) For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another?

Proverbs 6:32-35 He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who does it destroys his own soul. (33) He will get wounds and dishonor. His reproach will not be wiped away. (34) For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won’t spare in the day of vengeance. (35) He won’t regard any ransom, neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.

The Adulterous Woman Is Like A Prostitute

Proverbs 7:5-27 That they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words. (6) For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice. (7) I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding, (8) passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house, (9) in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness. (10) Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent. (11) She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house. (12) Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner. (13) So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him: (14) “Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows. (15) Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you. (16) I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt. (17) I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. (18) Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving. (19) For my husband isn’t at home. He has gone on a long journey. (20) He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.” (21) With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him. (22) He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose.(23) Until an arrow strikes through his liver, as a bird hurries to the snare, and doesn’t know that it will cost his life. (24) Now therefore, sons, listen to me. Pay attention to the words of my mouth. (25) Don’t let your heart turn to her ways. Don’t go astray in her paths, (26) for she has thrown down many wounded. Yes, all her slain are a mighty army. (27) Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the rooms of death.

Proverbs 9:13-18 The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing. (14) She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, (15) To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways, (16) “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him, (17) “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.” (18) But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Proverbs 11:21 Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

Proverbs 23:27-33 For a prostitute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife is a narrow well. (28) Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men. (29) Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? (30) Those who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine. (31) Don’t look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly. (32) In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper. (33) Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confusing things.

Proverbs 30:20 So is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and says, “I have done nothing wrong”.

Proverbs 31:1-3 The words of king Lemuel; the revelation which his mother taught him. (2) Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! (3) Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

Job's Final Appeal

Job 31:1-12 I made a covenant with my eyes, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman? (2) For what is the portion from God above, and the heritage from the Almighty on high? (3) Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, and disaster to the workers of iniquity? (4) Doesn’t he see my ways, and number all my steps?

(5) If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot has hurried to deceit (6) (let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity); (7) if my step has turned out of the way, if my heart walked after my eyes, if any defilement has stuck to my hands, (8) then let me sow, and let another eat. Yes, let the produce of my field be rooted out. (9) If my heart has been enticed to a woman, and I have laid wait at my neighbor’s door, (10) then let my wife grind for another, and let others sleep with her. (11) For that would be a heinous crime. Yes, it would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges: (12) For it is a fire that consumes to destruction, and would root out all my increase.

Leviticus 20:10 The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, even he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

Proverbs 6:32 He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who does it destroys his own soul.

Jeremiah 3:9 Because she took her prostitution lightly, the land was polluted, and she committed adultery with stones and with wood.

Hosea's Wife and Children

Hosea 1:2 When Yahweh spoke at first by Hosea, Yahweh said to Hosea, “Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and children of unfaithfulness; for the land commits great adultery, forsaking Yahweh.”

Hosea 2:16-17 “It will be in that day,” says Yahweh, “that you will call Me ‘my husband,’ and no longer call Me ‘my master.’ (17) For I will take away the names of the Baals out of her mouth, and they will no longer be mentioned by name.”

Matthew 5:28 But I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Matthew 5:32 But I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.

Mark 10:11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her.”

Mark 10:12 If a woman herself divorces her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery.

John 8:3-11 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery. Having set her in the middle, (4) they told Him, “Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act. (5) Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. What then do you say about her?” (6) They said this testing Him, that they might have something to accuse Him of. But Jesus stooped down, and wrote on the ground with His finger. (7) But when they continued asking Him, He looked up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.” (8) Again He stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground. (9) They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. Jesus was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle. (10) Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, “Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?” (11) She said, “No one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”

Revelation 2:20-22 But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. (21) I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. (22) Behold, I will throw her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great oppression, unless they repent of her works.

Deuteronomy 24:1 When a man takes a wife and marries her, then it shall be, if she finds no favor in his eyes, because he has found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a bill of divorce, and put it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 When a man takes a wife and marries her, then it shall be, if she finds no favor in his eyes, because he has found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a bill of divorce, and put it in her hand, and send her out of his house. (2) When she has departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. (3) If the latter husband hates her, and write her a bill of divorce, and puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, who took her to be his wife; (4) her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Yahweh. You shall not cause the land to sin, which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance.

Isaiah 50:1 Yahweh says, Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, with which I have put her away? or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Behold, you were sold for your iniquities, and your mother was put away for your transgressions.

Jeremiah 3:1 “They say, ‘If a man puts away his wife, and she goes from him, and becomes another man’s, should he return to her again?’ Wouldn’t that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the prostitute with many lovers; yet return again to Me,” says Yahweh.

Malachi 2:15-17 “Did He not make you one, although He had the residue of the Spirit? Why one? He sought godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. (16) For I hate divorce”, says Yahweh, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with violence!” says Yahweh of Armies. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you don’t deal treacherously. (17) You have wearied Yahweh with your words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied him?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in Yahweh’s sight, and He delights in them;’ or ‘Where is the God of justice?’”

Matthew 5:32 But I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.

Matthew 19:3-12 Pharisees came to Him, testing Him, and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” (4) He answered, “Haven’t you read that He who made them from the beginning made them male and female,[a] (5) and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?’ (6) So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.” (7) They asked Him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?” (8) He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. (9) I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery.” (10) His disciples said to Him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.” (11) But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given. (12) For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.”

Divorce and Remarriage

Luke 16:18 Everyone who divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.

Teaching About Divorce

Mark 10:1-12 He arose from there and came into the borders of Judea and beyond the Jordan. Multitudes came together to Him again. As He usually did, He was again teaching them. (2) Pharisees came to Him testing Him, and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (3) He answered, “What did Moses command you?” (4) They said, “Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her.” (5) But Jesus said to them, “For your hardness of heart, He wrote you this commandment. (6) But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. (7) For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife, (8) and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. (9) What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” (10) In the house, His disciples asked Him again about the same matter. (11) He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her. (12) If a woman herself divorces her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery.”

Laws Concerning Levirate Marriage

Principles for Marriage

1 Corinthians 7:1-16 Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. (2) But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. (3) Let the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. (4) The wife doesn’t have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn’t have authority over his own body, but the wife. (5) Don’t deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn’t tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (6) But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. (7) Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind. (8) But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am. (9) But if they don’t have self-control, let them marry. For it’s better to marry than to burn. (10) But to the married I command—not I, but the Lord—that the wife not leave her husband (11) (but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife. (12) But to the rest I—not the Lord—say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. (13) The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband. (14) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. (15) Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace. (16) For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Live as You Are Called

1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies. (18) Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. (19) Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. (20) Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called. (21) Were you called being a bondservant? Don’t let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it. (22) For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord’s free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ’s bondservant. (23) You were bought with a price. Don’t become bondservants of men. (24) Brothers, let each man, in whatever condition he was called, stay in that condition with God.

The Unmarried and the Widowed

1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy. (26) I think that it is good therefore, because of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is. (27) Are you bound to a wife? Don’t seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don’t seek a wife. (28) But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you. (29) But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none; (30) and those who weep, as though they didn’t weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn’t rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn’t possess; (31) and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away. (32) But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; (33) but he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife. (34) There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. (35) This I say for your own profit; not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction. (36) But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry. (37) But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own heart, to keep his own virgin, does well. (38) So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn’t give her in marriage does better. (39) A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whomever she desires, only in the Lord. (40) But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God’s Spirit.

Genesis 1:26-28 God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (27) God created man in His own image. In God’s image He created him; male and female He created them. (28) God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Philippians 2:5-8 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in human form, He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.

1 Timothy 2:15 But she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and sanctification with sobriety.

Romans 1:22-28 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23) and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. (24) Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves, (25) who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (26) For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. (27) Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. (28) Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting.

Ephesians 5:3-5 But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints; (4) nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks. (5) Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.

I Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (19) Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Romans 6:11-13 Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (12) Therefore don’t let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. (13) Also, do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

Colossians 3:5-6 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; (6) for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

Hebrews 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

Ungodly Sex

Sexual sin with penetration and sexual sin without penetration and anything other than intercourse between husband and wife qualifies as ungodly sex. God desires a man and a woman to enter a bond of togetherness and love, and the marital bed is reserved for an expression that transcends mere physical pleasure. Difficult though it is to imagine, but nothing is hidden from God.

The following types of sexual sin and perversion has been taken from the Deliverance Ministry Website:

Apotemnophilia, Aspiration of Semen, Bestiality, Bisexuality, Coprophilia, Exhibitionism, Fetishism, Fondling, French Kissing, Frotteurism, Gerontophilia, Homosexuality, Incest, Klismaphilia, Lesbianism, Lewdness, Masturbation, Necrophilia, Pedophilia, Prostitution, Pyrophilia, Rape, Sex By Apparel, Sex During Menstruation, Sex With Slaves, Sexual Asphyxia, Sexual Jealousy, Sexual Masochism, Sexual Sadism, Sodomy, Transsexualism, Transvestitism, Urophilia, Voyeurism. [9]

Perversion

God desires nothing less than pure holiness. Just consider what you would do if you were a married person fulfilling your conjugal rights when making love to your wife or husband, and you discover someone peeping in through your window. Would you be overjoyed that your privacy has been invaded? Would you feel that you had been violated? Yet people watch what is called soft porn or scenes on television, on DVDs, at the cinema and the theatre which qualify as being a peeping tom or voyeurism, and call it entertainment. Is there any difference between somebody watching yourself and you watching them? Or do you think God would view this as the same thing?

Eighth Commandment

(Exodus 20:15)

You shall not steal

Definition: To take anything without permission.

What is strange about stealing is the way it is accepted by the world; for the concept takes on a certain acceptability. Hence, the phrase “got a steal’ which means “got a bargain”.

1. To take (the property of another) without right or permission.

2. To get or take secretly or artfully: steal a look at a diary; steal the puck from an opponent.

3. To give or enjoy (a kiss) that is unexpected or unnoticed.

4. To draw attention unexpectedly in (an entertainment), especially by being the outstanding performer: The magician's assistant stole the show with her comic antics.

5. Baseball: To advance safely to (another base) during the delivery of a pitch, without the aid of a base hit, walk, passed ball, or wild pitch.

6. To commit theft.

7. To move, happen, or elapse stealthily or unobtrusively.

8. The act of stealing.

9. Slang: A bargain.

10. Basketball: An act of gaining possession of the ball from an opponent.

11. steal (someone's) thunder.

12. To use, appropriate, or preempt the use of another's idea, especially to one's own advantage and without consent by the originator.[10]

Attitudes Towards Stealing

Proverbs 6:30-31 Men don’t despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry: (31) but if he is found, he shall restore seven times. He shall give all the wealth of his house. (Stealing profanes the name of God.)

Proverbs 30:9 Lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is Yahweh?” or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

What God Thinks Of Stealing

Deuteronomy 24:7 If a man is found stealing any of his brothers of the children of Israel, and he deals with him as a slave, or sells him; then that thief shall die. So you shall remove the evil from among you.

The Thief Is To Work

1 Peter 4:15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters.

Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.

Luke 12:33 Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don’t grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn’t fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys.

Robbing God

Matthew 25:24-28 He also who had received the one talent came and said, “Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter. (25) I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.” (26) But his lord answered him, “You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter. (27) You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. (28) Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.”

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. (8) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.

Luke 6:37-38 Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free. (38) “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”

Malachi 3:7-12 “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my ordinances, and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says Yahweh of Armies. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ (8) Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In tithes and offerings. (9) You are cursed with the curse; for you rob Me, even this whole nation. (10) Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test Me now in this,” says Yahweh of Armies, “if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be room enough for. (11) I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before its time in the field,” says Yahweh of Armies. (12) “All nations shall call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says Yahweh of Armies.

Genesis 14:20 “And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.

Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.

John 8:39 They answered Him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.”

Matthew 6:19-20 Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal.

Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ (32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (33) But seek first God’s Kingdom, and His righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Ninth Commandment

Exodus 20:16

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

[You shall not uphold in your heart nor consider in your mind nor convey in any manner anything that is untrue (be it artificial, deceptive, misleading, unnatural, superficial, delusive, unrealistic) as a personal account (whether seen, heard, read, felt, touched, sensed, tasted, smelled) that is designed to frustrate or defame or cast aspersion or create doubt, which is detrimental and has the potential to destroy the integrity of your neighbor’s wellbeing.]

Elements of a False Witness

Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things which Yahweh hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: (1) haughty eyes, (2) a lying tongue, (3) hands that shed innocent blood; (4) a heart that devises wicked schemes, (5) feet that are swift in running to mischief, (6) a false witness who utters lies, and (7) he who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 6:12-15 A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth; (13) who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers; (14) in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord. (15) Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy.

Integrity

Proverbs 11:13 One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.

Exodus 23:1-8 You shall not spread a false report. Don’t join your hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness. (2) You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. You shall not testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice. (3) You shall not favor a poor man in his cause. (4) If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. (5) If you see the donkey of him who hates you fallen down under his burden, don’t leave him, you shall surely help him with it. (6) You shall not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits. (7) Keep far from a false charge, and don’t kill the innocent and righteous: for I will not justify the wicked. (8) You shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds those who have sight and perverts the words of the righteous.

Self Witness

Deuteronomy 19:15-19 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established. (16) If an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, (17) then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days; (18) and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother; (19) then you shall do to him as he had thought to do to his brother. So you shall remove the evil from among you.

Luke 18:9-14 He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. (10) “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. (11) The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. (12) I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’ (13) But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ (14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

John 8:13-18 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.” (14) Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going. (15) You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. (16) Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. (17) It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid. (18) I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.”

Testifying And What It Means For Us

Learning how to testify effectively and being willing to give an account of where we stand before God is vital for having a joyful Christian experience; whereas being ashamed or afraid to testify allows the Prince of this World to reign over us. The key to being a fruit-bearer in Christ is testifying what Jesus has done, or is doing, in our lives. Telling people what the Bible says is meaningless if we have no testimony, but if our testimony is true, God honors us, because we are sharing with other people only what the Father is doing in our lives and not talking about anything we cannot be absolutely sure about. Having a right understanding of Scripture is essential. Read John 5:39-40.

Leviticus 5:1 If you are called to testify about something you have seen or that you know about, it is sinful to refuse to testify, and you will be punished for your sin. (New Living Translation[11])

Luke 12:6-9 Aren’t five sparrows sold for two [small copper] coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God. (7) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. (8) I tell you, everyone who confesses Me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God; (9) but he who denies Me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God.

Matthew 4:10-11 Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind Me Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve Him only.’” (11) Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and served Him.

Mark 1:13 He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals; and the angels were serving Him.

Hebrews 1:14 Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Denying Jesus

Matthew 26:34 Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

Matthew 26:69-75 Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, “You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!” (70) But he denied it before them all, saying, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” (71) When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him, and said to those who were there, “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” (72) Again he denied it with an oath, “I don’t know the man.” (73) After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, “Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known.” (74) Then he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately the rooster crowed. (75) Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” He went out and wept bitterly.

2 Timothy 2:11-13 This saying is trustworthy: “For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him. (12) If we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. (13) If we are faithless, He remains faithful. He can’t deny himself.”

How Much GOD Hates The False Witness

Deuteronomy 19:15-20 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established. (16) If an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, (17) then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days; (18) and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother; (19) then you shall do to him as he had thought to do to his brother. So you shall remove the evil from among you. (20) Those who remain shall hear, and fear, and will never again commit any such evil among you.

Mark 7:6-7 He answered them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. (7) But they worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the [teachings] of men.’”

Matthew 23:15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much of a son of Gehenna as yourselves.

Called To Be Lights To The World

The importance of having a true testimony and experiencing the truth of God’s Word in our lives as we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us each truth we need to know, so we can grow, is often overlooked. Instead dogmatic assertions are made that cannot be truly supported from the Scriptures. If we hold to these dogmas, rather than seek demonstrable experiential truths that can be proven in our lives, we are most likely to find ourselves numbered among the hypocrites. We need to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, so we can grow in the knowledge of the truth. Hypocrites are those who claim to know Lord Jesus Christ, but have merely the teachings of men. This is why Christians are not lights to the world. Christians are called to be lights to the world. If a Christian is not a light to the world—that is those people with whom he or she lives, then that person is bearing a false witness by claiming to be a Christian. However, if we claim to be Christians and slip in our witness, but are honest and hold fast to the good confession, we are able to testify of the grace of God, so others can be encouraged to express faith and seek the Father’s forgiveness.

Philippians 2:12-15 So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (13) For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for His good pleasure. (14) Do all things without murmurings and disputes, (15) that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world

Tenth Commandment

Exodus 20:17

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.

“Covet” simply means “to desire”.

Wrongful Desire

1 Timothy 6:9 But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.

Colossians 3:5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

1 Corinthians 10:6-13 Now these things are examples (warnings and admonitions) for us not to desire or crave or covet or lust after evil and carnal things as they did. (7) Do not be worshipers of false gods as some of them were, as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink [the sacrifices offered to the golden calf at Horeb] and rose to sport (to dance and give way to jesting and hilarity).

(8) We must not gratify evil desire and indulge in immorality as some of them did—and twenty-three thousand [suddenly] fell dead in a single day!

(9) We should not tempt the Lord [try His patience, become a trial to Him, critically appraise Him, and exploit His goodness] as some of them did—and were killed by poisonous serpents;

(10) Nor discontentedly complain as some of them did—and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death).

(11) Now these things befell them by way of a figure [as an example and warning to us]; they were written to admonish and fit us for right action by good instruction, we in whose days the ages have reached their climax (their consummation and concluding period).

(12) Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].

(13) For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and [c]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. (AMPC)

James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He himself tempts no one. (14) But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. (15) Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (ESV)

Proverbs 12:11-12 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. (12) Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. (ESV)

Righteous Desire

The Greek word thélō (a primitive verb,) – to desire (wish, will), wanting what is best (optimal) because someone is ready and willing to act.[12] The word implies volition and purpose[13]. The basis of will is desire. “I choose God’s way because I desire to do what is right.” God desires all men to be saved.

John 7:17 If anyone desires to do His will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself.

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.

1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

1 Timothy 2:4 God desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.

Psalm 119:36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! (ESV)

Proverbs 16:3 Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed. (AMPC)

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in Yahweh, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

BAPTISM

In the Bible, a number of baptisms are mentioned. These are the baptism of water, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the baptism into Christ, the baptism into death, and the baptism of fire. The baptism of water can be for repentance, forgiveness and an appeal to God for a clean conscience. The baptism of water is also about identifying with the Name that is invoked when baptized. Essentially, we are told there is one baptism, which can be rather confusing when we read about the different types of baptism. The Apostles understood baptism as the rite wherein a person publicly acknowledges identifi-cation with Lord Jesus Christ and those who are called by His name. The Apostle Paul even rebaptized people to call upon the name of Lord Jesus to receive the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8; Acts 19:1-6).

Much of what is found in the Bible contradicts traditional theology on numerous issues, and baptism is no exception. We either accept what the Scriptures state or we develop a different understanding to what the Apostles’ taught, which means that we have departed from the Way.

John’s Baptism

Luke 3:16 John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but He comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but He who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3:6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

Baptism Required To Fulfill Righteousness

Matthew 3:14-15 But John would have hindered Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” (15) But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

Water Baptism Appeal For Clean Conscience

Hebrews 10:22 Let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water.

1 Peter 3:20-22 [People] who before were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. (21) This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (22) who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to Him.

Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.

Under What Name Should We Glorify God

1 Peter 4:16 But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.

Whose Name Was Invoked At Baptism By The Apostles?

1 Corinthians 1:13-15 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? (14) I thank God that I baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius, (15) so that no one should say that I had baptized you into my own name.

Acts 2:42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.

Matthew 28:17-20 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:16 For as yet [the Holy Spirit] had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus.

Acts 10:48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Him to stay some days.

Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 22:16 Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Romans 6:3 Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

1 Corinthians 6:11 Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

James 2:7 Don’t they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called?

Is it not they who slander and blaspheme that precious name by which you are distinguished and called [the name of Christ invoked in baptism]? (AMPC)

Do they not themselves speak evil of the good name that was called upon you? (YLT¹⁴)

[The King James Lexicon informs us that the Greek word ἐπικληθὲν (epiklēthen) is used by the Lord’s brother, the Apostle James to indicate that the name blasphemed was that called upon at baptism. The word means: to entitle; by implication, to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.)—appeal (unto), call (on, upon), surname.]

Baptism Into The Body Of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 I want you to know, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, (2) and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, (3) and all ate the same supernatural food (4) and all drank the same supernatural drink. For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ.

Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; (5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.

Baptism Of Death

Mark 10:38-39 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” (39) They said to Him, “We are able.” Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with.”

Romans 6:3-4 Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? (4) We were buried therefore with Him through baptism to death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.

Colossians 2:9-15 For in Him [Lord Jesus Christ] all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, (10) and in Him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power; (11) in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; (12) having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (13) You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, (14) wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; (15) having stripped the principalities and the powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Baptism By Fire: The Final Judgment

1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are punished by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

1 Peter 4:17-18 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey the Good News of God? (18) “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?”

1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.

Revelation 20:14-15 Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. (15) If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.

[N.B. The majority of people baptized by full immersion call upon The NAME of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Apostles did not baptize people using the formula found in Matthew 28:18, but into “the NAME of the Lord”, “Lord Jesus” or “Jesus Christ”, or as the appellations suggest, “Lord Jesus Christ”. Though the Apostle Paul rebaptized people, this does not necessarily invalidate baptism using the words “in the NAME of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. Those baptized into the NAME of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, are still baptized into the NAME, except that the name is not explicitly mentioned. The revealed name of God is, of course, Lord Jesus Christ. The NAME of the Holy One is the same for the Father and the Son (Pr. 30:3-4; Ps. 110.1; Matt. 22:41-45) and the Holy Spirit.

THE TABLE OF THE LORD

The table of the Lord is where we come together to feast with the Lord. To neglect to recognize this feast is to neglect the reason the feast exists. This feast is commonly referred to as Holy Communion, the Eucharist, receiving the Host, the Lord’s Supper, or partaking of the bread and the wine.

There are three basic views that surround the Lord’s Supper:

1) Transubstantiation: where the bread and the wine of the Eucharist is claimed to be changed into the actual body and blood of Lord Jesus Christ, once the priests have prayed for it.

2) A memorial: a mere acknowledgement of the death of Jesus and what He said we ought to do in remembrance of Him.

3) Consubstantiation: where the presence of Lord Jesus Christ is experienced when people come together to partake of the Lord’s Supper.

The Table Of Presence

Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.

Exodus 25:30 You shall set bread of the presence on the table before Me always.

Exodus 39:36 The table, all its vessels, the show bread.

Leviticus 24:5-7 You shall take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes of it: two tenths of an ephah shall be in one cake. (6) You shall set them in two rows, six on a row, on the pure gold table before Yahweh. (7) You shall put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire to Yahweh.(8) Every Sabbath day he shall set it in order before Yahweh continually. It is on the behalf of the children of Israel an everlasting covenant.

Days Of Feasts: Sabbath Day Rest

Leviticus 23 (4-11, 15-16, 23-25, 33-36, 39) These are the set feasts of Yahweh, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their appointed season. (5) In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, is Yahweh’s Passover. (6) On [First Day of the Week] the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to Yahweh. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread....

(9) Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, (10) “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest: (11) and he shall wave the sheaf before Yahweh, to be accepted for you. On the next day after the Sabbath [First Day of the Week] the priest shall wave it....”’

(15) You shall count from the next day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be completed: (16) even to the next day after the seventh Sabbath you shall number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal offering to Yahweh....

(23) Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, (24) “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest to you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. (25) You shall do no regular work; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh.…”’

(33) Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, (34) “Speak to the children of Israel, and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of tents for seven days to Yahweh. (35) On the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do no regular work. (36) Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. On the eighth day [First Day of the Week] shall be a holy convocation to you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. It is a solemn assembly; you shall do no regular work....”’

(39) So on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you shall keep the feast of Yahweh seven days: on the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest.

Christians Are A Royal Priesthood

Hebrews 9:2 For a tabernacle was prepared. In the first part were the lamp stand, the table, and the show bread; which is called the Holy Place.

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: (10) who in time past were no people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

The Need To Assemble Together

Hebrews 10:24-25 Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, (25) not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching. (26) For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.

Matthew 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and continued his speech until midnight.

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of the week, let each one of you save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.

The Lord’s Supper

I Corinthians 11:20 When therefore you assemble yourselves together, is it not the Lord’s supper that you eat.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which He was betrayed took bread. (24) When He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of Me.” (25) In the same way He also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of Me.” (26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

Matthew 26:26-28 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” (27) He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it, (28) for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.”

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ? (17) Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread.

1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. (28) God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. (29) Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? (30) Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret? (31) But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

The Power Of Prayer

There are four kinds of prayer: (1) supplication (confession), (2) prayer (communion with God), (3) intercession (praying on behalf of others) and (4) thanksgiving (praise and gratitude).

1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. (8) For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened….(11) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Matthew 6:5-21 When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. (6) But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (7) In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. (8) Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask Him. (9) Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. (10) Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. (11) Give us today our daily bread. (12) Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. (13) Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. (14) For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (15) But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (16) Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. (17) But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; (18) so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. (19) Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; (21) for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Romans 8:25-28 But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience. (26) In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. (27) He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because He makes intercession for the saints according to God. (28) We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Habakkuk 2:1-3 I will stand at my watch, and set myself on the ramparts, and will look out to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. (2) Yahweh answered me, “Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who runs may read it. (3) For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won’t prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it; because it will surely come. It won’t delay.”

1 Corinthians 14:15-18 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. (16) Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say? (17) For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up. (18) I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all….(39) Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.

1 John 5:14-15 This is the boldness which we have toward Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He listens to us. (15) And if we know that He listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of Him.

1 John 3:21-23 Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God; (22) and whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. (23) This is His commandment, that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as He commanded.

Mark 11:24-26 Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them. (25) Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions. (26) But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions.

James 5:14-18 Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, (15) and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (16) Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. (17) Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it didn’t rain on the earth for three years and six months. (18) He prayed again, and the sky gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

Prayer can be done standing (Mark 11:25), curled up in a fetal position (1 Kings 18:42), lying down (Ezekiel 4:4-6) and with hands raised (Ps 28:2; 134:2; 1Tim. 2:8).

1 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down on the earth, and put his face between his knees.

1 Timothy 2:8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling. (ESV)

Exodus 17:11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. (ESV)

[Important for having prayer answered is confession of sin and ensuring that nobody has anything against you.]

Matthew 5:23-24 If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, (24) leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Philippians 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Ephesians 6:18 With all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit

You Will Know Them

By Their Fruits

Fruits are not works. Fruits are the natural outcome of a genuine relationship with the Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The need to bear fruit is essential if we are to secure our salvation and enjoy the blessings of God. As every tree that does not bear fruit will be cut down and every branch that does not bear fruit is cut off. Those who believe that they are saved by grace alone, deceive themselves because the Bible says that we are saved by grace, through faith (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 4:16; cp. James 2:17; 26).

Romans 7:5 When we were living in the flesh (mere physical lives), the sinful passions that were awakened and aroused up by [what] the Law [makes sin] were constantly operating in our natural powers (in our bodily organs, in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh), so that we bore fruit for death (AMPC).

Romans 6:21 What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

Romans 6:22 But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life.

Romans 7:4 Therefore, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you would be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might produce fruit to God.

John 12:24 Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.

John 15:4-5 Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in Me. (5) I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in Me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:8 In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples.

John 15:16 You didn’t choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, He may give it to you.

Luke 8:14-15 That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. (15) That in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produces fruit with patience.

Matthew 13:23 What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.

Hebrews 13:15 Through Him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to His name.

James 1:18-21 Of His own will He gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. (19) So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; (20) for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. (21) Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, (23) gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Hebrews 12:11 All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby.

2 Corinthians 9:10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.

Philippians 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Ephesians 5:9 For the fruit of the Light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.

Luke 6:43 For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that produces good fruit.

Luke 6:44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don’t gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

John 15:2 Every branch in Me that doesn’t bear fruit, He takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Luke 3:9 Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.

Colossians 1:10 That you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain.

Revelation 22:2 In the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

There are twelve fruit. There is the fruit of the lips, the fruit of righteousness and the fruit of light. Where are the other nine found.

NOTES

[1] Packer, J.I. The Inspiration of the Bible (in) The Origin of the Bible (Comfort P.J. ed.) Tyndale, Illinois 2003. p31.

[2] Many people claim they know the Bible, yet they are so ignorant that they refuse to seek God that He might show them the truth. The nine Beatitudes correlate to nine of the Ten Commandments and the metaphors about salt and light to one of them. Then Jesus says, THINK NOT THAT I HAVE COME TO ABOLISH THE LAW. The ignorance of the unenlightened is astounding. Jeremiah 2:8 tells us why: The priests didn’t say, ‘Where is Yahweh?’ and those who handle the law didn’t know me. Too many theologians, pastors and Bible teachers do not actually know the Lord God—they merely know what they have read about Him (cf. John 5:39-40).

[3] The formation of knowledge and truth, embodiment “the form befitting the thing or truly expressing the fact, the very form”: THAYER'S GREEK LEXICON, Copyright © 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

[4] ibid. Many translations use the term ”embodiment of knowledge and truth” because this encapsulates the essence of what the Lord God has communicated through the Old Testament, which is able to instruct us for salvation through faith in Lord Jesus Christ and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:15-16).

[5] Everything came through the Son of God (Colossians 1:16-17) even the Law.

[7] https://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/mother.htm—retrieved January 22,

2018. N.B. TREATISE ON TRUE DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

By St. Louis de Montfort, published by Eternal Word Television Network

(5817 Old Leeds Road Irondale, AL 35210 Electronic Copyright © 1998) states: We must do everything through Mary, that is, we must obey her always and be led in all things by her spirit, which is the Holy Spirit of God.

[9] http://www.deliveranceminister.com/—retrieved 10th April, 2014

[10] The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.

[11] (NLT) are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

[13] Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.

¹⁴ Young's Literal Translation (YLT). Public Domain.

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THE MILK OF THE WORD

The MILK OF THE WORD: A Bible Study On Moral Truth

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