Question: Dear Greg,

Why is it you say the 10 Commandments are abolished when I can quote 5 passages in the New Testament that say we should keep them? Especially 1 John 2:4: "He who says I know him (God) and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Also – wasn’t Christ supposed to MAGNIFY the law, Isaiah 42:21? Not to abolish or change the 10 commandments?

Answer: Dear Dave,

The answer is inherent within what one assumes "commandments", used by New Testament writers, means. We have many questions and answers on our website, see the various categories, where we address your question.

In brief, the commandments mentioned by New Testament writers are those of the new covenant, not the old. The ten commandments were part of the old. There are a variety of places in the New Testament that show us what God expects of those who have accepted his grace, who believe in and trust in Jesus Christ as sufficient and complete for their salvation. These lists are called by some – sin lists and virtue lists – behaviors that Christians will do or not do, because of the new life that Christ leads in them. No where do we find Sabbath breaking or Sabbath keeping in these lists.

Greg Albrecht