Are the Ten Commandments the Old Covenant by N. J. Bowers

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 13, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 31.

Are the Ten Commandments the Old Covenant

By N. J. Bowers

10. Under this new covenant, the law—ten commandments—is written in the heart. Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10; Rom. 7:7, 22, 25. The ten commandments are the basis of both covenants. Ex. 20:3-17; Deut. 4:10-13; Matt. 5:17-20. The gospel rests upon the law. What is the gospel? The good news of salvation. Salvation from what? From sin. What is sin? Transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4. The law is the ten commandments. Matt. 19:17-19; 22:36-40; Jas. 2:8-11; Rom. 2:17-22. Therefore the gospel of the new covenant rests upon the ten commandments.

11. If one should break, and teach others to break, the ten commandments, he would forfeit his right to eternal life. Matt. 5:19, 20. One cannot only teach with impunity, that the old covenant may be neglected as a means of salvation, but that it is vain to look to it for such blessing. Heb. 9:15.

We are now prepared to answer the question that heads this article: Are the ten commandments the old covenant? We answer emphatically, No. N. J. BOWERS.