"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." -1 John 2:3-4
I. Introduction
For millennia, the so-called 'Christian' landscape has been fraught with absolute confusion when it comes to which commandments a follower of Yeshua ought to keep. To make matters worse, numerous "pseudo-delphos", a Greek term coined by the apostle Paul that means "false-brothers", have muddled the Bible's clear doctrines by either inventing their own commandments or by teaching the absurdity that there are no commandments at all.
Furthermore, many so-called "churches" claim that adherence to some parts of the Law of Musa (a.k.a. Moses) is still necessary, while others assert that only the Ten Commandments must be followed; meanwhile, other groups propagate that there are only two commandments left for believers to keep: (1) to love God, and (2) to love your neighbor (regardless of how arbitrarily one chooses to define those things). Yet, still, others claim that believers are free to do whatever they please as long as they "believe" (whatever that means). Such false teachings, unfortunately, have confused many people about the clear guidance provided in Holy Writ.
We, the Mashiachim, stand unshaken and separate from these confused and deceived hordes. The Bible, in its deep wisdom, clearly communicates the commandments that are crucial for believers to keep. Indeed, the Word of God makes it evident that only those who possess the Spirit of God can truly grasp this teaching (Jude 1:19; 1 Cor 2:14). It also helps to have at least a 6th-grade reading comprehension level (Hos 4:6). Sadly, those who lack both the Spirit and the aforementioned reading capability are like the blind leading the blind, all of whom are doomed to fall into a pit (Matt 15:14).
II. Which Commandments?
So what, then, is the truth? The directive is unmistakable: If we address Yeshua as "Lord," then surely, we must behave as if He actually is the Lord. How do we do this? -By actually doing what He says to do and not doing what He says not to do (Jam 1:22). This elementary sentiment is echoed by the Lord Himself when He posited the question, "But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?" -Luke 6:46.
Furthermore, Yeshua Himself gave clear orders when He said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations... teaching them to observe ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU…” (Matt 28:19a-20a). Notice that the Lord did not tell His apostles to go and teach others to observe certain parts of the Law of Musa or the Ten Commandments or only the two greatest commandments. On the contrary, He gave direct orders to teach His followers to observe "ALL THINGS" (Matt 28:20) that HE had commanded them prior to that moment. This explicit directive underscores the importance of both observing and teaching the commandments actually spoken by the Lord and later taught by His apostles.
In fact, Yeshua made a clear distinction between His commandments and His Father's (God's) commandments when He said, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love" (John 15:10). Notice the clear distiction between Yeshua's commandments and His Father's commandments? Yeshua kept the Law of Musa (i.e. His Father's commandments) perfectly. Now, followers of the Lord Yeshua are are to keep the Lord Yeshua's commandments.
We know that the laws of Old Testament are perfect (Psalm 19:7). In fact, they're so perfect that absolutely no one was actually able to keep them (Rom 3:23). That is, except for Yeshua, the only begotten Son of God (Heb 4:15), in Whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily (Col 2:9). Yeshua not only lived up to them, He fulfilled them all (Matt 5:17; John 19:30). Then a paradigm shift occurred. God ushered in a New Covenant (Matt 26:28) and a New Priesthood (Heb 7:12). And with a change of the Priesthood, came a "change" of the Law (Heb 7:12).
Hebrews 7:12 is a pivotal verse, hated by many false teachers, such as many Protestants, Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, and other Judaizers such as the so-called "Messianic Christians" or "Messianic Jews", However, Hebrews 7:12 perfectly sums up the truth and tells it like it is plainly:
“For the priesthood being changed, of necessity THERE IS ALSO A CHANGE OF THE LAW.”
In other words, when the priesthood changed from the Levitical Priesthood established by God under Musa, to the Priesthood of Melchizedek under the Lord Yeshua, there was also a "CHANGE" from one set of laws to another. That "CHANGE" was from Yeshua's Father's commandments (the Law of Musa) to Yeshua's commandments (i.e. the commandments of the Lord).
As Hebrews 8:13 puts it, "In that He says, 'A New Covenant,' He has made the first OBSOLETE."
As the apostle Paul made abundantly clear, the Law of the Old Covenant is no longer binding on anyone who is under the Lord Yeshua (Gal 3:10,5:18). Instead, the Old Covenant, along with it's Laws, are now "OBSOLETE" (Heb 8:13). This is because the Lord Yeshua, our New High Priest, has established a "New Covenant," (Jer 31:31) transitioning the Priesthood from the Levitical to the order of Melchizedek, as explained in Hebrews 7:11 when God says: "Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another Priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?"
Consequently, laws such as circumcision (Gal 5:2-6), observing feast days (Col 2:16), keeping the Saturday Sabbaths (Col 2:16), offering animal sacrifices (Heb 10:12), and all other laws (Acts 21:25) have been annulled, as it is written:
"For on the one hand there is AN ANNULLING OF THE FORMER COMMANDMENT because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God." -Hebrews 7:18-19.
And as the apostle Paul taught: "Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Mashiach, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God." -Romans 7:4.
Brothers, the Lord Yeshua HaMashiach is now our Head (1Cor 11:3). He alone is our Lord and Master (1Cor 8:6), and we must obey Him alone, for as He Himself said, "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other..." -Luke 16:13a. Serving both the Lord Yeshua and the Law of Musa is impossible. Choose your Master: The Law, which brings death (Rom 7:10), or the Lord Yeshua HaMashiach Who brings life (John 11:25-26, 15:6-7; 1 John 3:24).
III. So, What, Then, are the Commandments of the Lord?
The commandments of the Lord are listed all throughout the New Testament. Look for them whenever a directive is given either to do or not to do a certain thing. The apostles were not merely giving their advice in what they wrote, but, as Paul makes abundantly clear, "the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord" (1Cor 14:37). Many of those commandments are similar to the commandments of the Old Testament. Here are some prominent examples:
God is One and you shall love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength (Mark 12:29-30). This commandment, deemed "the Greatest Commandment" by the Lord Yeshua, is a restatement of the Law in Deuteronomy 6:4-5.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31). This commandment, deemed "the Second Greatest Commandment" by the Lord Yeshua, is a restatement of the Law in Leviticus 19:18.
Abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, and from strangled animals (Acts 15:29). These commandments, delivered to us by the council of apostles and elders of the New Covenant, are extrapolated and restated from Old Covenant commandments like those given in Leviticus 17:10-14 and Exodus 34:15.
Abstain from sexual immorality (Acts 15:29). The Old Covenant has several laws against sexual immorality, including Leviticus 18:22 and Deuteronomy 22:22, which prohibit adultery, and Leviticus 18:6-18, which defines what acts are considered sexual immorality by God.
Do not commit murder (Matthew 5:21-22). This is a re-statement of the 6th Commandment in Exodus 20:13.
Do not steal (Ephesians 4:28). This command is a direct reflection of the 8th Commandment found in Exodus 20:15.
Do not bear false witness (Colossians 3:9). This aligns with the 9th Commandment in Exodus 20:16, "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."
Honor your father and your mother (Ephesians 6:1-2). This commandment reiterates the 5th Commandment from Exodus 20:12, "Honor your father and your mother."
Do not covet (Romans 13:9). Paul mentions that coveting is contrary to the law, echoing the 10th Commandment in Exodus 20:17.
IV. New Commandments
The Lord Yeshua also introduced commandments utterly foreign to the Old Covenant: Laws and rites such as:
1. Baptism (Matthew 28:19-20): Yeshua commanded His apostles to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in His Name (Acts 2:38) and teaching them to obey everything He had commanded them.
2. Eucharist (1 Corinthians 11:24-25): Yeshua instituted the Eucharist during the Last Supper, instructing His disciples to do this in remembrance of Him, signifying the new covenant in His blood shed for the forgiveness of sins.
3. Ekkmasism (John 13:14): After washing His disciples' feet, Jesus commanded them to wash one another's feet, setting an example of humility and service to be followed by His followers.
4. Confession (James 5:16): The apostle's teachings and the practices of the early church emphasize the importance of confession, as followers are encouraged to confess their sins to one another (not exclusively to a leader) and to pray for each other so that they may be healed. This practice highlights the value of transparency, accountability, and mutual support within the community of believers.
5. Church Order (1 Corinthians 11-14) Paul provides instructions on head coverings (1 Corinthians 11:2-16); enlightens us on the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34); addresses spiritual gifts in the Church, (1 Corinthians 12-13); and informs us of the guidelines for orderly worship services. (1 Corinthians 14).
These are New Commandments for a New Covenant. And there are many more.
We, the Mashiachim, not only rigorously adhere to all of these New Covenant Commandments but attempt to ensure that every believer is solidly grounded in them from the very beginning, just as the Lord commanded (Matt 28:19-20).
V. Shirking the Commandments of the Lord
The shameful betrayal of the Lord's commandments by the contemporary, so-called "Christian" church is brazenly evident in their repudiation of the clear instructions contained, for example, in 1 Corinthians, where the apostle Paul delineates explicit teachings that they shamelessly disregard.
Paul's declaration in 1 Corinthians 14:37, for example, could not be more clear: "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD."
If we aspire to genuinely obey the Lord's commandments, we must earnestly embrace what the apostle plainly states. The words Paul writes in his letters are not idle suggestions or personal opinions (except where specifically stated); they are the unassailable "COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD" (1Cor 14:37). This crucial understanding is indispensable for discerning the authentic commandments intended for believers to keep.
Understanding what the Commandments of the Lord are is of crucial importance. Why? Because of what the apostle John makes absolutely clear:
"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." -1 John 2:3-4
Do you know someone who doesn't keep the Lord's commandments and yet claims to know the Lord? That person is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Do you know a "church" that doesn't practice the commandments of the Lord and yet claims to know Him? That "church" is led by liars, and the truth is not in it.
Look around, dear brothers. Do you know of any Churches today that keep the Lord's commandments? Let's just take a few of the commandments, those listed right before 1 Corinthians 14:37, and see if we can find any Churches that follow just these few:
- Do you know of a single modern Church that keeps 1 Corinthians 5:11?
- Do you know of a single modern Church that keeps 1 Corinthians 7:11?
- Do you know of a single modern Church that keeps 1 Corinthians 7:39?
- Do you know of a single modern Church that keeps 1 Corinthians 11:4?
- Do you know of a single modern Church that keeps 1 Corinthians 11:5-6?
- Do you know of a single modern Church that keeps 1 Corinthians 14:34-35?
If the answer is no to even one of the above questions, 1 John 2:3-4 stands as a stark warning for you to avoid them.
VI. Savage Wolves
The modern "church's" audacious disregard for the Word of God is a brazen act of hypocrisy and apostasy. These so-called "churches" betray the faith they claim to uphold and not only teach against, but actually mock the commandments. This should come as no surprise to anyone. As Paul announced a dark prophecy concerning the Church after his departure:
"For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking [h]perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears." -Acts 20:29-31
Indeed, from the foundations of the anti-Christ Catholic church of the 3rd century A.D. until today, the disdain within the mainstream so-called "churches" for the commandments of the Lord is both fervent and rampant. We the Mashiachim condemn the falsehood and treachery of these pseudo-delphos (false brothers) and call on every genuine believer to reject their twisted doctrines and adhere to the clearly stated teachings of the Word of God.
VII. Clear Commandments of the Lord
Speaking of clarity, let me be absolutely clear here and now so that you may understand. As we mentioned earlier, the commandments of the Lord are found all throughout the New Testament. However, to give our audience some clear direction and instruction, we have included the below list of commandments found in 1 Corinthians. God willing, this example will lead the disciples of Yeshua to recognize other commandments within the books and letters of the New Testament:
- Imitate The Apostles. (1Cor 4:16)
- Excommunicate sinners from the Church and cast them out to Satan. (1Cor 5:1-8)
- Do not keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner— Do not even eat with such a person. (1Cor 5:9-11)
- Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (1Cor 6:9-10)
- Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (1Cor 6:18)
- A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. (1Cor 7:10-11)
- A husband is not to divorce his wife (1Cor 7:11) -except for sexual immorality (see also Matt 5:32 and Matt 19:9)
- Be without the cares of this life. (1Cor 7:32)
- A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. (1Cor 7:39)
- Beware lest somehow your liberty becomes a stumbling block to those Christians who are weak in the faith. For when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. (1Cor 8:9-12)
- Do not eat food offered to idols. (1Cor 8:1-13)
- Present the gospel of Christ without charge. (1Cor 9:18)
- Do not become idolaters. (1Cor 10:7)
- Do not commit sexual immorality. (1Cor 10:8)
- Do not tempt Christ. (1Cor 10:9)
- Do not complain. (1Cor 10:10)
- Flee from idolatry. (1Cor 10:14)
- Let no one seek his own, but each one the others' well-being. (1Cor 10:24)
- Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.” (1Cor 10:25-26)
- Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1Cor 10:31)
- Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God. (1Cor 10:32)
- Imitate Paul the Apostle as he imitates Christ. (1Cor 11:1)
- A man shall not cover his head with anything while praying or prophesying, (prophesying is speaking the Word of God). (1Cor 11:4)
- A woman must wear a head covering, ie. a veil or shawl, when praying or prophesying (prophesying is speaking the Word of God). (1Cor 11:5)
- If a woman will not cover her head let her hair be shaved off. (1Cor 11:6)
- There must be no divisions when Christians come together. (1Cor 11:18)
- Pursue love. (1Cor 14:1)
- Desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. (1Cor 14:1)
- All things in the Church Service must be done for edification. (1Cor 14:26)
- No more than three men may speak in a toungue to the Church and they must be one at a time. (1Cor 14:27)
- If tongues are being spoken in the Church there must be someone to interpret the tongue for the Assembly or else the person must be silent. (1Cor 14:28)
- No more than three prophets may speak during the Church Service. (1Cor 14:29)
- If a prophet is speaking and another prophet in the Church interupts him, the first must be silent. (1Cor 14:30)
- Church Services must not be confusing, but orderly. (1Cor 14:33)
- Women must remain absolutely silent during Church Service, for they are not permitted to speak (Greek: "make utterance"), because it would be a shame. (1Cor 14:34-35).
- If a woman has a question during the Church Service she should wait until she is home to ask her husband. (1Cor 14:35)
- Christians must acknowledge that the things which Paul has written are the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ and that anyone who disregards these commands will be disregarded by God. (1Cor 14:37-38)
- Desire earnestly to prophesy. (1Cor 14:39)
- Do not forbid men to speak in tongues (as long as they are in obedience to the rules previously stated). (1Cor 14:39)
- All things in the Church Service must be done decently and orderly. (1Cor 14:40)
- Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1Cor 15:58)
- Watch. (1Cor 16:13)
- Stand fast in the faith. (1Cor 16:13)
- Be brave. (1Cor 16:13)
- Be strong. (1Cor 16:13)
- Let all that you do be done with love. (1Cor 16:14)
- Christians must submit themselves to those that have devoted themselves to the ministry of the Saints. (1Cor 16:15-16)
- Greet one another with a holy kiss. (1Cor 16:20)