An Introduction to the Ten Commandments

By Nick Bibile

Do the Commandments Apply to the New Testament Church?

A common question raised today is this: Do the commandments of the Old Testament still apply to the New Testament church?

Many churches claim that because we now live under grace, the Old Testament law no longer applies to believers. Others, such as the Seventh-day Adventists, argue that Christians must still observe Old Testament laws, including dietary restrictions and ceremonial practices.

So which is correct?
Are the laws of the Old Testament entirely abolished for the church today—or do some still remain?

In the Old Testament, certain foods such as pork and shellfish were forbidden (Lev. 11). There were also laws regulating clothing:

“You shall not sow your field with mixed seed, nor shall a garment of mixed linen and wool come upon you.”
(Leviticus 19:19)

Yet in the same chapter we read:

“You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.”
(Leviticus 19:11)

Are we to obey one command and dismiss the other?
To answer this properly, we must understand how Scripture itself divides the law.

The Twofold Division of the Law

The laws given in the Old Testament can be broadly divided into two categories:

  1. Ceremonial Law

  2. Moral Law

This distinction is not artificial; it is demonstrated clearly in how the New Testament treats the law in light of Christ.

The Ceremonial Law

The ceremonial law refers to the external regulations governing Israel’s worship—rituals, sacrifices, dietary laws, festivals, and ceremonial purity.

Examples of these ceremonial regulations can be seen throughout Leviticus:

Fulfilled and Abolished in Christ

The New Testament teaches that these ceremonial laws were temporary, designed to point forward to Christ.

“They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.”
(Hebrews 8:5)

“For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things…”
(Hebrews 10:1)

Hebrews 9:1–10 explains that these regulations were imposed “until the time of reformation.” That reformation came with Christ.

The ceremonies and symbols of the law ceased at Christ’s coming, because their purpose was fulfilled. Though the use of these ceremonies is abolished among Christians, their truth and substance remain in Jesus Christ.

“These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”
(Colossians 2:17)

The word substance literally means that which stands underneath. Christ is the reality beneath the shadows. The ceremonial law pointed to Him—His sacrifice, His holiness, His atoning work.

The Law as a Schoolmaster

Paul explains that the ceremonial law functioned as a tutor:

“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ… But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”
(Galatians 3:24–25)

Once Christ arrived—the fulfillment of the types and symbols—the believer was no longer under the ceremonial system.

Additional Scriptures confirming the abolition of the ceremonial law in Christ include:

Under the Old Covenant, worship was restricted to one nation, one place, and one altar. With the coming of Christ, this limitation was removed:

“The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.”
(John 4:23–24; cf. Isaiah 11:10)

The Old Testament itself foretold this transition:

“Behold, the days are coming… when I will make a new covenant.”
(Jeremiah 31:31–34; fulfilled in Hebrews 8)

The Moral Law

What Is Moral Law?

The moral law concerns right and wrong in daily life. But who determines what is right or wrong?

Human opinions differ widely. Some justify sexual immorality, abortion, dishonesty, and violence. Others reject these practices. Scripture teaches that God alone is the supreme Lawgiver:

“There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.”
(James 4:12)

Because God is eternal and unchanging, His moral law has never ceased.

The moral law is the declaration of God’s will for humanity and reflects His holy character.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul…
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
(Psalm 19:7–8)

“Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, forever.”
(Psalm 93:5)

The Purpose of the Moral Law

1. The Moral Law Reveals Sin

The law exposes our guilt before God:

“For by works of the law no human being will be justified… since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”
(Romans 3:20)

“If it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin.”
(Romans 7:7)

2. The Moral Law Provokes Sin

The law does not create sin, but it stirs up the sinful nature, revealing the depth of our corruption:

“Our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members.”
(Romans 7:5)

3. Sin Is Lawlessness

Scripture defines sin clearly:

“Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.”
(1 John 3:4)

The Ten Commandments: Summary of the Moral Law

The moral law is summarized in the Ten Commandments.

“And God spoke all these words, saying:
‘I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.’”
(Exodus 20:1–2)

From this introduction we observe:

  1. The Author – God Himself (“And God spoke”)

  2. The Word – Divine revelation (“spoke”)

  3. The Name – The covenant LORD (“I am the LORD”)

  4. The Relationship – Personal and redemptive (“your God”)

  5. The Salvation – Grace precedes obedience (“who brought you out”)

Obedience flows from redemption—it never earns it.

A Warning to the Modern Church

Much of modern evangelicalism has abandoned the teaching of God’s moral law. As a result, many believers cannot even locate the Ten Commandments in Scripture.

The consequences are visible everywhere:

Scripture warned of this outcome:

“Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!”
(Deuteronomy 5:29)

Where God’s law is ignored, chaos follows. Where it is honored, blessing remains.