← All Writings
Christian Living

Are the "ten commandments" binding on true Christians?

The short answer is no, the ten commandments were a precursor to the advent of Christ. When it comes to the commandments, there are actually over 600 of them. They are referred to as the 613 commandments, there are 248 positive ones and 365 negative.

Having said that, the law has been supplanted by those who receive Christ. However, its important to know that God creates superseding laws, like gravity vs the law of lift.

As long as you are operating in the law of lift, you won't be subject to the law of gravity, but once you are no longer operating in the law of lift, you are instantly subject to the law of gravity.

The Old Testament vs the New as it were. You can escape all these requirements as long as you follow the new standard given by Christ.

Galatians 5:22-25

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Romans 8:1–9

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Galatians 3:10-14

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3:22-26

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

The 613 Commandments Under the Law

This is what is beyond the ten commandments by topic, which include the 10 God spoke Mosses. All of these topics are biblical. But this is not the space to document all 613 specifically, I hope this helps in answering the question.

Positive Commandments - 248

Worship God 1-19

The Temple and the Priests 20-38

Sacrifices 39–91

Vows 92–95

Ritual Purity 96–113

Tithes and Offerings to the Sanctuary of Yahweh 114–133

The Sabbatical Year 134–142

Clean Animals Fit for Consumption and of Offerings 143–152

The Feasts and Sabbaths 153–170

Laws Concerning the Duty of the Community and Observing the Authority of Yahweh's Laws and Yahweh's Annointed 171–184

The Worship of False Gods and Related Practices 185–189

Laws Concerning Times of Tribulation and Persecution 190–193

Our Duties to Our Fellow Man 194–208

Family 209–223

Judgments 224–231

Laws Concerning Slaves 232–235

Lawsuits 246–248

365 Negative Commandments - 365

The Worship of False Gods and Related Practices 1–45

Prohibitions Against Making Allies With Nations Who Worship False Gods 46–59

Blasphemy 60–66

The Sanctuary of Yahweh 67–88

Sacrifices and Holy Tithes and Offerings 89–157

The Priests 158–171

Dietary Laws 172–201

Nazirites 202–209

Agriculture 210–229

Loans, Business, and the Treatment of Slaves 230–269

Judgment and Conduct of Judges 270–329

Sinful Relationships 330–361

Our King 362–365

Originally published on Quora.