“Commands” (the Greek word “Protasso”) 4.6.08
1) READ Gen. 47:11.
a) The word “command” is the word we want to focus our attention on this morning.
b) This word is used 8 times in the New Testament.
c) Before we see how the term is used in the New Testament, we want to study it a different way.
d) About 250 years before Jesus came into the world the Old Testament was translated into Greek.
2) Sometimes it is valuable to study the Greek Old Testament because many of the words are also used in the NT.
3) Next on our list is Ex. 36:6. READ A command is a very serious thing.
4) If it is not followed, a person will often get in trouble.
a) Lev. 10:1 – READ What was the consequence of not following God’s command?
b) Verse 2 tells us – READ
5) God could have punished these men with a fate less than death.
6) A final verse from the Old Testament is found in the book of Deut. 27—Deut. 27:1.
a) In this section of Deuteronomy we read about the “blessings and cursings.”
7) Moses “commanded” the nation to make the right choice – Deut. 27:1 – READ
8) Even back in Old Testament times people knew God had “commandments.”
9) They also realized something else: ALL God’s commands are to be kept.
WHEN WE STUDY WORDS IN THE GREEK VERSION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT (THE TRANSLATION THAT WAS MADE ABOUT 250 YEARS BEFORE JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD), WE FIND MANY OF THE SAME TERMS USED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. IN SOME CASES THE DEFINITIONS FOR WORDS IN THE GREEK VERSION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT ARE VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL TO THOSE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. IN OTHER CASES, SOME WORDS HAVE A DIFFERENT MEANING.
1) With this foundation in mind, let’s go to the first book of the New Testament, Matthew.
a) The passage we want is Mt. 1:24. READ
2) Joseph was “commanded” to be Mary’s husband.
a) God’s commandments stay constant; we see that in our next reference, Mt. 8:4. READ
b) Moses law is what Jesus spoke of it and it had been given more than 2,000 years earlier.
c) God’s commands do not lose force with time.
3) All God’s commands need to be followed, even if they seem a bit strange.
4) Our next passage that has this term is Mt. 21:6.
a) Jesus indicated that His disciples might be asked about their actions (verse 3).
b) Verse 6 is the passage we want – READ
5) I like the KJV in this text because it uses the word “commanded.” Acts 10:48.
a) Most will recall that in Acts 10 and 11 we have information about Cornelius.
b) This man was a worshipper of God, but he was not a Christian.
c) He was told to call for Peter and listen to some Bible teaching.
d) This was done and the Holy Spirit came to show that Gentiles could also be Christians.
e) When Peter realized it was okay for this man to be a fellow Christian he did something.
f) Notice what is said in Acts 10:48 – READ
6) Many say baptism is “important” but not required by God.
7) God and His apostles “commanded” baptism. It is not optional. It is not “recommended.”
8) It is absolutely required because it is the final step in the forgiveness of sins, Acts 2:38.
9) Baptism is not the only command of God, but it is one heaven’s commandments.
Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.
Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).