OT Commands & You

* A resource for the sermon A Greater Righteousness (Matthew 5:17-20).

The 10 Commandments:
1. Do not worship other gods
OT: Exodus 20:3
NT: Matthew 4:10, 1 Corinthians 8:5-6

2. Do not make idols
OT: Exodus 20:4-6
NT: Acts 17:29-30, 1 John 5:21

3. Do not bear God’s name in vain
OT: Exodus 20:7
NT: Matthew 6:9, 1 Peter 2:12; 4:14-16

4. Remember the Sabbath & keep it holy
OT: Exodus 20:8-11
NT: No specific commands. Hebrews 4 does say there is still some sort of sabbath rest for God’s people to enter into. Colossians 2:16 indicates there is some flexibility in terms of how followers of Jesus practice this.

5. Honor your father and mother
OT: Exodus 20:12
NT: Matthew 19:19, Ephesians 6:1-3

6. Do not murder
OT: Exodus 20:13
NT: Matthew 5:21-26; 1 Peter 4:15

7. Do not commit adultery
OT: Exodus 20:14
NT: Matthew 5:27-30; Romans 13:9

8. Do not steal
OT: Exodus 20:15
NT: Matthew 19:18, Ephesians 4:28

9. Do not give false testimony
OT: Exodus 20:16
NT: Matthew 19:18, Colossians 3:9

10. Do not covet
OT: Exodus 20:17
NT: Romans 13:9, Colossians 3:534

Other commands
No tattoos
OT: Leviticus 19:28
NT: No direct prohibition. Given the context of Leviticus 19:2, it seems the principle here is about making sure we treat our bodies as holy for God (cf. 1 Cor 6:19-20)

No pork or shellfish
OT: Leviticus 11:7-8, 12
NT: Jesus specifically declares all foods on the table for his new covenant people in Mark 7:19, Acts 10:15. Like with many of the OT commands around food & dress, it seems the greater principle is about God’s people as living distinct from the world around them.

Animal sacrifices
OT: Leviticus
NT: Hebrews 9:11-14, 10:14 indicate Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross fulfills this once and for all. No longer required.