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A HOLY MESSAGE FROM A HOLY GOD
THE BIBLE REVEALS THE TRIUNE GOD
ONLY THE BIBLE REVEALS AN ETHICAL STANDARD
AN OVERVIEW OF HOW GOD TRANSMITTED HIS THOUGHTS
MANS THOUGHTS vs. GODS THOUGHTS
FORWARD
I started the research for this project because I feel too many Christians have too low a view of their Bible. Before I came to Christ on October 14, 1985 I had read many books that purported to be revelations from God. As a Mormon I read the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pear of Great Price and many periodic conference reports from my church with a high value as to their content. As a student in undergraduate studies I read the Bhagavad-Gita, the Upanishads and the Koran. I tried to do so with an open mind giving these texts the respect deserved as the source documents for major world religions. But to be honest I found all of these texts interesting but lacking in a way that might impact my life.
After I came to Christ and picked up a Bible I was amazed at how God's words began to speak to me. I fell in love with the Word of God in my early days as a Christian. After a time of reading and study I began to acknowledge that this book was indeed sufficient for meeting all of my needs.
I was invited to spend a year in a small Timothy style house for newly converted men in Boise Idaho. There was no television or radio allowed so I found time to engage in studies to answer questions I had about who God was and what happened to me when I was born again.
I remember reading the life of David as he was faced with so many impossible circumstances how God met him where he was and answered his prayers. I was amazed soon after when I prayed and God began to answer my prayers in such real ways. When I was alone with just God and his word He was able to speak through his word and renew my heart and mind. He was able to take discouragement and turn it into victory as I grew and matured.
As I began to have a desire to understand the Bible systematically I purchased a wide margin edition that permitted me to make notes. Any time I found a passage that did not seem to be in harmony with what I was reading elsewhere I began to study out answers from within God's word itself and write them in those margins. Thankfully I discovered white out because often I learned I must update those notes as my studies matured.
Too many Christians today never even pick up their Bibles. God's word is sufficient especially in difficult times or when we are confused and hurting. The reason most fail to pick up their Bible is because they have been taught that this old book is not relevant for today. We live in modern times we should not be using a book that is thousands of years old. This research project has been to answer those objections.
If the Bible were only another product of human literature, it would not have enjoyed the place of historic significance it has received over centuries. In contrast to human literary constructions, the Bible stands alone in the literature of the world as a supernatural revelation coming from God to man. Both the Bible and history testify that God has revealed his Word to humanity out of concern and love. God=s word stands alone in the library of human literature as being a unique record of God=s interventions into humanity. It stands in contrast to eastern and cultic revelations which claim to come from men seeking God through human means.
The Only Religious Writing with a Holy God
After God delivered his people from Egypt, Moses wrote a song (Psalm) to lead God's people into the act of worship. This ancient song reveals the holiness of God. Ex 15:11 Because God is holy, Moses instructed God's people that they could not enter directly into God's presence and not die! The Bible is a unique revelation showing how God's people were led to enter God's presence safely. Ex 19:10-16; see also Isa 6:3, 5-7 This idea of the separation between God and humanity was still emphasized in the New Testament. 2 Cor 7:1; 1 Thess 3:13, 4:7; Heb 12:29
2. The first item in sight upon entry was the large Bronze Altar "nechosheth" Strong's No. 5178 "bronze" "mizbeach" Strong's No. 4196 "altar" which was also called the Altar of Burnt Offering. 2 Ki 16:14 This is the first article in the tabernacle compound because God insisted that no one not even the separated priests and Levites could enter any further without an offering for cleansing from sin. This heavily built bronze covered altar was over 8 feet square and over 5 feet in height. At all four corners was a large bronze horn. The central portion of the altar was a metal grate for burning the offerings. There was an earthen ramp that the priests used to carry transport the offering up to the altar. The utensils associated with the altar were flesh hooks for securing the meat offerings, ash pans for cleaning the altar, and basins for collecting the blood to be sprinkled. The fire on this altar was never to be allowed to go out. Lev 6:13
3. If one were walking from the altar toward the Tabernacle one could not reach that entrance without going by the Bronze Laver "nechosheth" Strong's No. 5178 bronze "kiyowr" Strong's No. 3595 laver. Ex 30:18 The Laver was constructed to contain two basins of water. The large deeper upper basin was used for cleansing offerings. The shallow lower basin was for the washing of the feet of the priests. The Laver was located near the entrance to the Tabernacle. It was made from the bronze mirrors of the women. Ex 30:18; 38:8 The sense from this laver is cleansing is needed before approaching Holy God.
4. The Tabernacle itself was rectangular 18 feet wide, 50 feet long and 18 feet in height. The Tabernacle was divided into two enclosures with a single entrance. The first enclosure was 35 feet deep it was entered daily by the priests. The second enclosure was called the Holy of Holies was only about 12 feet deep and was only entered once each year. Separating the inner sanctuary was the veil of the Tabernacle called the "poreketh" Strong's No. 6532 which was designed to shield the Holy of Holies from view. Ex 40:3; 26:31-33; 36:36-36 The veil was constructed with two life sized cherubim embroidered with stretched wings that touched each other. There is evidence here for the Holiness of God who has placed angels to guard His sanctuary.
5. Upon entering the outer sanctuary the first piece of furniture was the Table of Showbread to the right. Ex 40:22 In Hebrew this name came from "shulchan" Strong's No. 7979 table, CHAPTER ONE
Why Did God Reveal The Bible?
Hebrews 9:19-20
When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.
He said, "This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep." cf. Exod 24:6-8
When God introduced Himself to Moses, Moses was told to remove his shoes because of God=s holiness. Ex 3:5 God explained to Moses why He was going to deliver His people from their slavery in Egypt. It was because He longed for their fellowship. God had a plan to free His people from worshiping the pagan gods of Egypt. The Bible Reveals the Pathway to God
The Tabernacle "Mishkan" Habitation Strong's No. 4908
God directed Moses how to construct the Tabernacle in the wilderness using fifteen chapters from from the Book of Exodus. Ex 25-40 The Book of Leviticus was revealed to define the work of the priests in servicing the Tabernacle. The Book of Numbers defined the way the holy habitation of God was to move among the people as they camped and moved through the wilderness. The Tabernacle was located inside a compound 172 feet by 86 feet hidden from the sight of the rest of the camp of Israel behind an 8 and one half foot high curtain. The enclosure, the Tabernacle, the furnishings and utensils were all constructed using the plundered material that God's people were commanded to carry out of Egypt in the Exodus. Ex 3:22; 12:36
6. Upon entering on the left of the outer sanctuary is the Golden Lampstand. The name came from "zahab" Strong's No. 2091 gold, and "menowrah" Strong's No. 4501 candlestick. The menorah had a central lamp standing 5 feet high and three lamps facing out on each side making 7 lamps with a total width of 3 feet. Ex 25:31-40; 37:17-24 The menorah was designed so that each lamp had its own supply of pure beaten olive oil.
7. Upon entering the Tabernacle, if one faced the veil at the furthest wall they would see the Altar of Incense standing in front of the veil. Ex 30:1-6; 37:25-28; 40:5 The name comes from "mizbeach" Strong's No. 4196 altar, "miqtar" Strong's No. 4729 a hearth, and "qetoreth" Strong's No. 7004 incense. This altar was about 3 feet in height 2 feet wide with four golden horns in the corners, but this altar had no metal grate like the larger altar outside the Tabernacle. It was not used for burnt offerings, meat offerings, or drink offerings. It was used exclusively for a burned incense morning and evening. The sense here is that genuine pure sincere worship sends up a beautiful smelling sensation to the Lord that He genuinely enjoys. That this piece of furniture would stand in the way of the veil to the Holy of Holies demonstrates that we can not come into God's manifest presence without sincere worship.
8. The Ark of the Covenant was the only object found within the Holy of Holies behind the veil of the Tabernacle. The name comes from 'arown Strong's No 727 chest, and beriyth Strong's No. 1285 covenant. Num 10:33 The Ark was a small wooden chest covered inside and out with pure beaten gold. It was 4 feet wide, 2 ½ feet high and 2 ½ feet in height. This was a small piece of furniture within a small enclosure. This chest or Ark had a removable covering lid called the "mercy seat." Ex 25:20, 22 The word "mercy seat" comes from the Hebrew word "kapporeth" Strong's No. 3727 which means a covering. Two life sized golden cherubim were mounted to the top of the mercy seat facing with wings extending out over the mercy seat. The cherubim looked down upon the center of the Mercy Seat where the high priest entering once each year on the Day of Atonement placed the blood of the annual sin offering. The high priest removed his highly ornate priestly robes once each year entering the most holy place dressed in a pure white tunic. The golden censer that the priest used once each year for this purpose of carrying in the blood offering was stored on top of Mercy Seat. In the air above the Ark between the cherubim was the Shekinah Cloud of the presence of Yahweh. Ex 25:22; Lev 16:2 Within the Ark were the two tables on which God wrote the Ten Commandments, and the "autograph copy" of the Law as written by Moses. Deu 31:26. The Ark also contained a golden pot of manna and Aaron's rod that budded. Num 7:10
King Solomon constructed a permanent Tabernacle in the Holy City of Jerusalem. It was called the Temple, but it was just an enlarged version of the Tabernacle. Later the Temple in Jerusalem was repeatedly polluted. 1 Ki 11:4-5; 14:9, 23; 2 Chron 21:13; 24:4-5; 33:3-7 God allowed an enemy to destroy it as another bitter punishment. Jer 27:16-18; 2 Chron 36:7; 2 Ki 24:13; Dan 5:2-4 After their punishment was complete, God allowed the temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem. Jer 28:3; Ezra 1:7-11; 3:12; 6:15
When Isaiah was prophet, King Uzziah chose to enter into areas of the holy Temple that God revealed were reserved exclusively for sanctified separated priests. Uzziah was smitten with leprosy. He was forced to remove himself from the palace and restrict himself to the life of a leper. When Isaiah wrote about the year Uzziah died, he mentioned a vision he received from God:
"In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." Isaiah 6:1-3
Isaiah said even the angels of God must cover their faces in the presence of His awesome throne. Isaiah said, AThen said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.@ Isa 6:5 One of the angels flew down to Isaiah and, Ahaving a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged." Isa 6:6-7 The message is clear, Isaiah had to receive cleansing from God before he could view the heavenly scene he recorded in the sixth chapter of Isaiah.
God's holiness is a primary motive, it incites all that He does; therefore He is righteous in His ways." God is being "infinitely holy." God's holiness "is observable in every divine attitude and action. It embraces not only His devotion to that which is good, but is also the very basis and force of His hatred of that which is evil." Sys Theo 1:202-203 The Psalmist said, AGod sits upon the throne of His holiness.@ Ps 47:8 Because God is holy, God=s word and God=s covenant are holy also. Ps 111:9
Habakkuk wrote that God's holiness was from everlasting, "Are you not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One?" Hab 1:12 Habakkuk used the Hebrew word "miqedem" Strong's No. 6924 which means to precede either in time or geographically. Dr. Merrill Unger has written that "holiness is one of the essential attributes of the divine nature. It is, on the one hand, entire freedom from moral evil and, on the other, absolute moral perfection." New Unger's Bible Dictionary
Isaiah wrote, "I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King." Isa 43:15
In this passage God combines the attribute of his holiness with His personal proper name making an important name title Yahweh Strong's No. 3068 and "qadowsh" Strong's No. 6918 holy. The author of Proverbs says the "fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Prov 9:10 The words "Holy One" come again from "qadowsh" Strong's No. 6918.
A thorough study of this attribute of God reveals that the God of the Bible is unique in His holiness, "There is no one holy like the LORD, indeed, there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God." 1 Sam 2:2
No One Can See God. Because of God's holiness the Bible reveals that no one can see God, "No one has seen God at any time." Jn 1:18 cf. 1 Jn 4:12 John wrote this in agreement with the entire Word of God. Moses recorded these words of God, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!" Exod 33:20 Later in Deuteronomy we read, "Then the LORD spoke to you from the midst of the fire; you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form-- only a voice." Deut 4:12 Paul wrote that God is invisible, "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, {be} honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Tim 1:17 cf. 6:16
Old Testament Appearances of Jesus Christ. "No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." John 1:18 The author of Hebrews opened his letter saying, "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2. in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world." Heb 1:1-2
Bible Reveals "Logos"as Fully God
Paul uses this noun to define that place in the Trinity where the very fulness of everything that makes the Father God dwells in the Son. The word Adwell@ that Paul used Akatoikeo@ Strong's No. 2730 which means to inhabit permanently. Dr. Wuest, Robertson and Vincent all agree that in this grammatical construction Paul fully defines Jesus as being forever God in the strongest possible language. Vincent Word Studies 3:472-474; Robertson Word Pictures 4:480; Wuest Word Studies Greek Testament 1:186-187
But man was not the only being God created. A great host of angels were also created. Col 1:16 One of them fell into a great rebellion and became instrumental in man=s fall. Systematic Theo 2:203-209 After man=s fall, both history and the Bible agree that it was that same angel [Satan] who emerged from Eden with Aauthority@ over the cosmos. Systematic Theology, Chafer, 2:80-90 Job 1:6; 2 Cor 4:4; Jn 12:32; Acts 26:18; Lk 4:5-6
In contrast, humanity moved out of Eden under three forms of death after Eden: 1.) Aspiritual death, 2.) physical death, 3.) the second death. Dr. Chafer says these Adeaths@ should be understood as Aseparations@ never as extinction. Spiritual death is the separation of soul and spirit from God.@ Physical death is the Aprocess of disintegration and eventual separation of the soul and spirit from the physical body.@ The second death is Athe lake of fire, the eternal separation of soul and spirit from God.@ Syst. Theol. 2:215 The majority of the Bible record reveals various scenes from the great drama which unfurls as God sends the Alast@ Adam, Jesus Christ, to defeat Satan, and his evil empire on the cross.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God Rom 3:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:23
God=s Plan for Humanity
• AI tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.@ John 3:3 The Bible says we are restored through the new birth by receiving Jesus Christ.
• "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:@ John 1:12
The Bible says we receive Christ by calling on him in prayer.
• "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.@ Rom 10:13
The Bible says there is a door that separates man from God.
• AI am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.@ John 10:9
The Bible says Jesus is the gate or the doorway all men can enter to find God.
• ABehold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.@ Rev 3:20
The Bible is INFINITE
Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures Luke 24:44-45
No human mind is capable of comprehending God=s Word in its fullness. The Bible says every Scripture is AGod - Breathed.@ 2 Tim 3:16 This means God is the author of every Scripture. AGreat is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.@ Ps 147:5 Every jot and tittle of God=s word is the outworking of God=s infinite, omnipotent purpose. AThere is no God like you, in heaven above, or on earth beneath.@ 1 Ki 8:23 AHis tender mercies are over all His works.@ Ps 145:9 God=s word was placed on parchment through the prophet=s ink. But the message is perfectly God=s.
God the Father
God the Son
God the Holy Spirit
The Bible Reveals a Unique Creation Account
$ God revealed to the prophet Daniel 600 years before Christ very specific details about the coming Persian empires, Greeks, Romans, and the final governments that will be on earth in the end times. Dan 2:31-45
$ God revealed through every Old Testament book some things about the coming of Messiah. Lk 24:27 cf. Gen 3:15; Gen 22:18; Gen 49:10; Num 21:6-9; Deut 18:15; Luke 24:44; John 5:39; John 5:45-47; Acts 3:22; Acts 7:37; Isa 7:14; Isa 9:6-7; Isa 40:10-11; Isa 50:6; Isa 52:13-14; Isa 53:1-12; Jer 23:5-6; Jer 33:14-15; Ezek 34:23; Ezek 37:25; Dan 9:24-26; Micah 5:2-4; Micah 7:20; Zech 9:9; Zech 13:7; Mal 3:1-3; Mal 4:2
International Standard Bible Encylopaedia. "Of the "ten words," seven were perhaps binding on the consciences of enlightened men prior to the days of Moses: murder, adultery, theft and false witness were already treated as crimes among the Babylonians and the Egyptians." International Standard Bible Encylopaedia
Jesus and the Ten Commandments
Ten Commandments in History
Contrasting ethics of Bible revelation to world religions. Biblical revelation is not the result of men seeking God.. Rom 9:30; 10:20; Isa 65:1 Bible revelation is the result of God seeking man. ex Moses, Exo 3 cf. Saul, Acts 9 The Bible reveals a Holy God who through the offering of His sinless Son transfers the righteousness of His Son to anyone who accepts and submits by faith to the Son's offering. Rom 10; Isa 57:12; 64:6; Rom 9:31-32; Gal 5:3-4; Phil 3:9
Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, the ancient Egyptians, Mayans, and today=s modern cults require their followers to approach Aunholy gods@ through self righteous human activities as offerings. Historically many world religions and cults have had altars running red with human sacrifice in behalf of their Agods@ in contrast to Christ who died in the place of all humans.
THE GOD OF THE BIBLE IS HOLY
Centuries later when the Tabernacle was polluted by evil priests, God gave it to Israel's enemy as a bitter punishment. 1 Sam 2-3 When Israel repented God restored the Tabernacle. 1 Sam 4 The God of the Bible is "Infinitely" Holy
God's Holiness is infinite in two ways.
1. The first defines God=s absolute separation from the common and sinful.
2. The second defines God as being a person of integrity and goodness. Syst. Theo. 1:202, Hodge 1:413; Lect. Sys Theo, Thiessen, p. 84-85 Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." Leviticus 19:2
The Bible Reveals Jesus Christ as the "Word"
John opened his Gospel,
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1-3, 14
Paul testified that, Ait pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;@ Col 1:19 When Paul said the Father dwells in Aall fulness@ those words in the Greek are "pan pleroma." Pan 3956 meaning all, and Apleroma@ 4138 which comes from the verb Apleroo@ 4137 which means total completion. The Bible Records God's Interventions
God created man to live in a place of intimacy and communion with him. Deu 32:9; Isa 43:7; 1 Jn 4:19 A loving caring God placed man into a place of dominion over the rest of creation. Gen 1:28 Syst. Theo 2:202 In the Garden of Eden, God faithfully revealed himself to man daily. Gen 3:8 Bible Reveals Pathway to Salvation
Universal Sin
The Bible is unique in revealing both the universal sinfulness of man and an escape through Jesus Christ. Because Adam was our first father all men have sin in common, ATherefore, just as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.@ Romans 5:12 Because God is Holy, sin changes the way God looks at human beings.
The Bible is unique in revealing a Loving God. Because of God=s love, he declared, AFor God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.@ John 3:16 Jesus came to pay a sacrificial death in our place on the cross. AWho his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.@ 1 Pet 2:24 The good news today is that Jesus said right in the middle of a fallen demonized planet that AI am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.@ John 10:10 The Bible clearly teaches a pathway to salvation that restores humanity "relationally" to God through Jesus Christ. Bible Reveals the Triune God
Monotheism
From Moses writing to the Book of Revelation, the Bible reveals the truth that there is only One God. Exo 20:3; Deu 6:4; Isa 42:8; 46:5; Mal 2:10; Mt 4:10; Lk 4:8; Jn 17:3; 1 Tim 1:17; 6:15-16; Jude 1:4; Rev 15:4 While the Bible firmly commands a belief in Monotheism, there is much evidence even in monotheistic passages that God is three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
That God is Father is revealed often in passages that also reveal God's Sonship. Isa 9:6; Mal 2:10; Mt 6:9; Lk 1:32; Jn 1:18; 5:18-19; 8:42; 16:27; 20:17; Acts 2:33; Rom 15:6; 1 Cor 8:6; Gal 1:1; Eph 4:6; 1 Pet 1:3; 2 Jn 1:3; Rev 1:6
Isa 9:6; Mal 2:10; Mt 6:9; Lk 1:32; Jn 1:18; 5:18-19; 8:42; 16:27; 20:17; Acts 2:33; Rom 15:6; 1 Cor 8:6; Gal 1:1; Eph 4:6; 1 Pet 1:3; 2 Jn 1:3; Rev 1:6
Gen 1:2; Ezek 11:24; Mt 3:16; 12:28; Jn 3:5; 3:34; 4:24; Acts 2:17 cf. Joel 2:28; Rom 8:9, 14, 16, 27; Rom 15:19; 1 Cor 2:10-16; 3:16; 6:11; Eph 4:30; 6:17; 1 Tim 3:16; 1 Pet 1:2; 3:18; Rev 2:7
The Bible presents creation as a verbal act of God. Heb 11:3; 2 Pet 3:5 The Biblical creation account is unique in revealing God performing His work of the creation of time and space from outside of time and space. Man is presented as a Acreature@ with a beginning Gen 1:26; 2:7 with a definite beginning. God reveals Himself as eternal with neither beginning or end. Jn 1:1-3 God also created heaven. Ps 33:6; Rom 1:19-20 The Bible reveals God as creating the universe for His own joy. Rev 4:11; cf. Gen 1 The Bible Alone Can Reveal Future Events Accurately
The Bible stands alone in world literature with practical information about the future. AI make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.@ Isa 46:10 The Bible Reveals High Ethical Standards
The Ten Commandments stand unique in the history of the world as setting high moral standards for behavior. They are found as early as the second book. "So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread or drink water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments." Exod 34:28 The Jews call them the "aseret" Strong's No. 6235 "haddebarim" Strong's No. 1697 or the ten words. Unger says the "Decalogue is the name by which the Greek Fathers designated "the Ten Commandments," which were written by God on tablets of stone and given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. It is also called "the moral law," "the two tablets of the testimony," Exo. 34:29 "the tablets of the covenant," Deut. 9:9 and "His covenant." Deut. 4:13 In the New Testament it is called "the commandments" ('entolai, Matt. 19:17; Rom. 13:9) and "the Law." 1 Tim. 1:7-10 New Unger's Bible Dictionary
"Our Lord, in the interview with the rich young ruler, gave a recapitulation of the commandments treating of duties to men. Mk 10:19; Mt 19:18 f; Lk 18:20 He quotes the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th commandments. The minor variations in the reports in the three Synoptic Gospels remind the student of the similar variations in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. Already in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus had quoted the 6th and 7th commandments, and then had gone on to show that anger is incipient murder, and that lust is adultery in the heart. Mt 5:27-32 He takes the words of the Decalogue and extends them into the realm of thought and feeling. He may have had in mind the 3rd commandment in His sharp prohibition of the Jewish habit of swearing by various things. Mt 5:33-37 International Standard Bible Encylopaedia
"Josephus is the first witness for the division now common among Protestants." International Standard Bible Encylopaedia "The Jews, from Philo to the present, divide the "ten words" into two groups of five each. ibid. "1,300 years after God gave the laws, Jesus ... showed that His coming had not canceled the Commandments. He specifically mentioned the laws against killing Matt. 5:21 and committing adultery. Matt. 5:27 Jesus actually placed these laws on a higher plane by demanding that the spirit as well as the legal aspects of the law be kept. Jesus placed His eternal stamp of approval on the law by declaring, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." Matt. 5:17-19 Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary