Bible: Ancient Literature
Abstract
<div> <p><strong>Bible: Ancient Literature</strong></p> <p>Marsha Anderson</p> <p>Dr David Emmanuel</p> <p>BIB 102</p> <p>February 23, 2023</p> <h2>Historical Foundations and Ethical Significance of the Ten Commandments</h2> <p>The Ten Commandments outline rules for worship and forbid many types of criminal behavior, such as robbery, infidelity, and killing. They show an ethical code that was common in the ancient Middle East. In the Bible, their identical account is outlined in Exodus 20:2–17 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5:6–21 (KJV Exo and Deut). The Ten Commandments primarily represent a Middle Eastern moral code that was not unique to the ancient world. They serve as a description of the terms Israel's community had agreed to relate to Yahweh. Exodus and Deuteronomy's variances show that changes were made during transmission from generation to generation.</p> <p>Before the 13th century, when the Ten Commandments were incorporated into a guide for individuals confessing their sins, they had little significance in the Christian tradition. The growth of Protestant churches led to the creation of new religious instruction guides and the incorporation of the Ten Commandments into catechisms as a significant component of religious education, particularly for children. Therefore, Christians should keep on obeying the ten commandments.</p> <h2>New Testament Reinforcement of the Ten Commandments in Christian Practice</h2> <p>Furthermore, the New Testament does not abolish the 10 commandments but strengthens them. Many verses in the New Testament demonstrate that Jesus and the apostles regarded the 10 Commandments as fundamental rules for a Christian's way of life, not as "ceremonial legalism" or a way to "earn" salvation. Many verses demonstrate that the New Testament reinforces all the Ten Commandments. The Lord, Jesus Christ, regularly upheld the Old Testament's 10 Commandments. Jesus admonished in His Sermon on the Mount, saying, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill" (KJV Matt 5:17).</p> <h2>Faith, Salvation, and Obedience within Biblical Teaching</h2> <p>The apostle Paul makes it very apparent in Romans 4 that the Old Testament's method of salvation and the New Testament's method of salvation are identical. They both account that people can only be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul uses the example of Abraham, who was saved by faith, to demonstrate this point; Paul says, "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (KJV Rom 4:3).</p> <p>In addition, in the Old Testament, people believed they would be saved by following these commandments. They believed God gave them the commandments to govern their walk with Him, and obeying them would translate to their salvation.</p> <h2>Works Cited and Source Documentation</h2> <p>KJV. (2023). <em>King James Bible online</em>. King James Bible. Retrieved from https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-5/</p> </div>