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1st COMMANDMENT - NO OTHER GODS
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CALVARY BAPTIST
CHURCH - Heidelberg, Germany
"Commandment #1"
"By this commandment, God requires: to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God
and make Him our God and to worship and glorify only Him!"
- FISHER, EDWARD 1627-1655
"The Sum Of The First Commandment"
"We must express that we do thus love the Lord by the acting of our other affections, as by our
desire of most near communion with him, (Phil 1:23), and by our delighting most in him, (Psa
37:4); and by our rejoicing most in him, (Phil 4:4); and by our fearing most to offend him, (Matt
10:28); and by our sorrowing most for offending him, (Luke 22:62); and by being most zealous
against sin, and for the glory of God, (Rev 3:19). And thus have I showed you what the Lord
requires in the affirmative part of this commandment."
- LUTHER, MARTIN 1483-1546
The First and Second Commandments
"A god means that from which we are to expect all good and to which we are to take refuge in all
distress, so that to have a God is nothing else than to trust and believe Him from the [whole]
heart; as I have often said that the confidence and faith of the heart alone make both God and an
idol. If your faith and trust be right, then is your god also true; and, on the other hand, if your
trust be false and wrong, then you have not the true God; for these two belong together faith and
God. That now, I say, upon which you set your heart and put your trust is properly your god."
- WATSON, THOMAS 1620-1686
The First Commandment
"The sum of this commandment is, that we should sanctify God in our hearts, and give him a
precedence above all created beings. There are two branches of this commandment: 1. That we
must have one God. 2. That we must have but one. Or thus, 1. That we must have God for our
God. 2. That we must have no other."
2nd COMMANDMENT - NO IDOLS
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CALVARY BAPTIST
CHURCH - Heidelberg, Germany
"Commandment #2"
"What is required? (the positive) By this commandment, God requires: to worship God as God
has commanded."
- FISHER, EDWARD 1627-1655
"Wherein The First And
Second Commandment Differ"
"Why, as the first commandment teaches us to have the true God for our God, and none other; so
the second commandment requireth that we worship this true God alone, with true worship: and
in this commandment likewise, there is a negative part expressed in these words, 'Thou shalt not
make to thyself any graven image," &c. And an affirmative part included in these words, "But
thou shalt worship me only and purely, according to my will, revealed in my word.'"
- WATSON, THOMAS 1620-1686
"The Second
Commandment"
"In the first commandment worshipping a false god is forbidden; in this, worshipping the true God
in a false manner. 'Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.' This forbids not making an
image for civil use. 'Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, It is Caesar's.'
Matt 22: 20, 21. But the commandment forbids setting up an image for religious use or worship."
3rd COMMANDMENT - SHALL NOT TAKE THE LORD'S NAME IN VAIN
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CALVARY BAPTIST
CHURCH - Heidelberg, Germany
"Commandment #3"
"What is required? (the positive) By this commandment, God requires: to use God's name and
ordinances in a reverent manner that gives a correct opinion of Himself."
- FISHER, EDWARD 1627-1655
"Wherein The Second And Third Commandment Differ"
"Why, as the Lord in the second commandment doth require that we
worship him alone by true means, so does he in the third commandment require that we use the
means of his worship after a right manner, that so they may not be used in vain, (Matt 15:9). And
in this commandment likewise, there is a negative part expressed in these words, "Thou shalt not
take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." And that is, thou shalt not profane it, by using my
titles, attributes, ordinances, works, ignorantly, irreverently, or after a formal, superstitious
manner. And an affirmative part, included in these words, "But thou shalt sanctify my name," (Isa
8:13); by using my titles, attributes, ordinances, works, and religion, with knowledge, reverence,
and after a spiritual manner, (John 4:24)."
- LUTHER, MARTIN 1483-1546
The Third Commandment
"It is misusing God's name when we call upon the Lord God no matter in what way, for purposes
of falsehood or wrong of any kind. Therefore this commandment enjoins this much, that God's
name must not be appealed to falsely, or taken upon the lips while the heart knows well enough,
or should know, differently; as among those who take oaths in court, where one side lies against
the other. For God's name cannot be misused worse than for the support of falsehood and deceit."
- WATSON, THOMAS 1620-1683
The Third Commandment
"Men of place and eminence deem it disgraceful to have their names abused and inflict heavy
penalties on the offenders. 'The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain;' but
looks upon him as a criminal, and will severely punish him. The thing here insisted on is, that great
care must be had, that the holy and reverend name of God be not profaned by us, or taken in
vain."
4th COMMANDMENT - SABBATH
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CALVARY BAPTIST
CHURCH - Heidelberg, Germany
"Remember The Sabbath"
"It is done by sanctifying the day as a day of resting from works and recreation that would
normally be done on the other six days; by making it our delight to spend the time in the public
and private worship of God in all that He has done and all that He is! To that end, we are to
prepare our hearts, and with such foresight and diligence to refrain where possible from our
worldly business that we more are the more free and fit for the duties of that day."
- FISHER, EDWARD 1627-1655
"The Difference Between The Third And Fourth
Commandments"
"Well, then, I pray you consider, that as the Lord in the third commandment doth prescribe the
right manner how he will be worshipped, so doth he in the fourth commandment, set down the
time when he will be most solemnly worshipped, after the right manner; and in this commandment
there is an affirmative part, expressed in these words, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it
holy," &c.: that is, remember that the seventh day in every week be set apart from worldly things
and business, and be consecrated to God by holy and heavenly employments; and a negative part,
expressed also in these words, "In it thou shalt not do any work," &c. That is, thou shalt not on
that day do any such thing or work as doth any way hinder thee from keeping an holy rest unto
God."
- LUTHER, MARTIN 1483-1546
The Fourth Commandment"
"Now, in the Old Testament, God separated the seventh day, and appointed it for rest, and
commanded that it should be regarded as holy above all others. As regards this external
observance, this commandment was given to the Jews alone, that they should abstain from
toilsome work, and rest, so that both man and beast might recuperate, and not be weakened by
unremitting labor. Although they afterwards restricted this too closely, and grossly abused it, so
that they traduced and could not endure in Christ those works which they themselves were
accustomed to do on that day, as we read in the Gospel just as though the commandment were
fulfilled by doing no external [manual] work whatever, which, however, was not the meaning, but,
as we shall hear, that they sanctify the holy day or day of rest"
- WATSON, THOMAS 1620-1686
The Fourth Commandment"
"The old seventh-day Sabbath, which was the Jewish Sabbath, is abrogated, and in the room of
it the first day of the week, which is the Christian Sabbath, succeeds. The morality or substance of
the fourth commandment does not lie in keeping the seventh day precisely, but keeping one day in
seven is what God has appointed."
5th COMMANDMENT - HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER
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CALVARY BAPTIST
CHURCH - Heidelberg, Germany
"Commandment #5"
"God leadership requires submission, obedience, and servants heart. Luke
2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto
them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. Let me say reverently and with great
humility, God Himself submitted to human parents. There is always an authority structure and
having a good understanding and demonstration of that understanding is key to getting along with
others."
- FISHER, EDWARD 1627-1655
"The Sum Of The Fifth Commandment"
"By father and mother is meant, not only natural parents, but others also that are our superiors,
either in age, in place, or in gifts, (2 Kings 5:13, 6:21, 13:14).
And why did the Lord use the name of father and mother to signify and comprehend all other
superiors?
Because the government of fathers is the first and most ancient of all others; and because the
society of father and mother is that from whom all other societies do come."
- LUTHER, MARTIN 1483-1546
The Fifth Commandment"
"We must, therefore impress it upon the young that they should regard their parents as in God's
stead, and remember that however lowly, poor, frail, and queer they may be, nevertheless they are
father and mother given them by God. They are not to be deprived of their honor because of their
conduct or their failings. Therefore we are not to regard their persons, how they may be, but the
will of God who has thus created and ordained. In other respects we are, indeed, all alike in the
eyes of God; but among us there must necessarily be such inequality and ordered difference, and
therefore God commands it to be observed, that you obey me as your father, and that I have the
supremacy"
- WATSON, THOMAS 1620-1686
The Fifth Commandment"
"By the first table, we walk religiously towards God; by the second, we walk religiously towards
man. He cannot be good in the first table that is bad in the second. 'Honour thy father and thy
mother.' In this we have a command, 'honour thy father and thy mother;' and, second, a reason for
it, 'That thy days may be long in the land.' The command will chiefly be considered here, 'Honour
thy father.' ...Father is of different kinds; as the political, the ancient, the spiritual, the domestic,
and the natural."
6th COMMANDMENT - YOU SHALL NOT MURDER
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CALVARY BAPTIST
CHURCH - Heidelberg, Germany
"Tho Shalt Not Kill"
"What then is respecting life? The word here 'rasah' in the Hebrew text indicates that this is an
unlawful killing, a killing that violates justice."
- FISHER, EDWARD 1627-1655
"The Sum Of The Sixth Commandment"
"Well, then, I pray you consider, that in the sixth commandment there is a negative part expressed
in these words: 'Thou shalt do no murder.' That is, thou shalt neither in heart, tongue, nor hand,
impeach or hurt either the life of thine own soul or body, or the life of any other man's soul or
body; and an affirmative part included in these words: 'But thou shalt every way, by all good
means, seek to preserve them both.'"
- LUTHER, MARTIN 1483-1546
The Sixth Commandment"
"Therefore God and government are not included in this commandment nor is the power to kill,
which they have taken away. For God has delegated His authority to punish evil-doers to the
government instead of parents, who aforetime (as we read in Moses) were required to bring their
own children to judgment and sentence them to death. Therefore, what is here forbidden is
forbidden to the individual in his relation to any one else, and not to the government."
- LUTHER, MARTIN 1483-1546
"The Fifth [Sixth] Commandment Explained" - Matthew
5:20-26
"In this Gospel the Lord takes in hand the office of extolling and explaining the law of Moses, for
It would not have been becoming for him to have insisted in an unfriendly manner to make the
people pious. He in not a lawgiver, but a Savior, who never takes aught from anyone, but always
gives. So he also in this instance proves his kindness in explaining the law and gently instructing;
as there is need and want, he does not sternly insist, as did Moses, who without much ado wished
that people were either pious or dead. For this reason Christ's action on this occasion is to be
considered one of great benefit to us, in that he teaches us where we fail and come short. Here he
particularly treats of the failings due to wrath, which causes so much havoc among men, as is seen
on every side, yea, nearly the whole world is under its sway."
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WATSON, THOMAS 1620-
1686
"The Sixth Commandment"
"In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, 'Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty
implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. We must not injure another in
his name. 'A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name.
We injure others in their name, when we calumniate and slander them."
7th COMMANDMENT - YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY
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CALVARY BAPTIST
CHURCH - Heidelberg, Germany
"Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery"
"Immediately after God declares His sacredness of human life follows His designs for that which
safeguards the highest earthly relationship and sets out the conditions of purity for the holy and
sacred office of the relationship that procreates life--marriage.
- FISHER, EDWARD 1627-1655
"The Sum Of The Seventh Commandment"
"Well, then, I pray you, consider that in the seventh commandment there is a negative part
expressed in these words, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery'; that is, though shalt not think, will,
speak, or do anything whereby thine own chastity or the chastity of others, may be hurt or
hindered. And an affirmative part included in these words, 'But thou shalt every way, and by all
good means, preserve and keep the same.'"
- LUTHER, MARTIN 1483-1546
The Seventh Commandment"
"But because among us there is such a shameful mess and the very dregs of all vice and lewdness,
this commandment is directed also against all manner of unchastity, whatever it may be called; and
not only is the external act forbidden, but also every kind of cause, incitement, and means, so that
the heart, the lips, and the whole body may be chaste and afford no opportunity, help, or
persuasion to unchastity. And not only this, but that we also make resistance, afford protection
and rescue wherever there is danger and need; and again, that we give help and counsel, so as to
maintain our neighbor's honor."
- WATSON, THOMAS 1620-1686
The Seventh Commandment"
"The sum of this commandment is, The preservations of corporal purity. We must take heed of
running on the rock of uncleanness, and so making shipwreck of our
chastity."
8th COMMANDMENT - YOU SHALL NOT STEAL
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CALVARY BAPTIST
CHURCH - Heidelberg, Germany
"Thou Shalt Not Steal"
"In contrast, stealing contradicts the generous, giving nature of Christ and puts self as the center
of the universe. One's needs becomes the force behind the activity. The essence of true
Christianity is giving rather than getting. When we live under the delusion that life is about
getting, when we don't get, then we are entitled to take. It is then that we change the command
from "Thou shalt not steal" to "Thou shalt not be found out!" This, God
forbids!"
- FISHER, EDWARD 1627-1655
"The Sum Of The Eighth Commandment"
"Well, then, I pray you consider, that in the eighth commandment there is a negative part
expressed in these words, 'Thou shalt not steal'; that is, though shalt by no unlawful way or means
hurt or hinder the wealth and outward estate either of thyself or others: and an affirmative part
included in these words, 'But thou shalt by all good means preserve and further them both.'"
- LUTHER, MARTIN 1483-1546
The Eighth Commandment"
"For to steal is nothing else than to get possession of another's property wrongfully, which briefly
comprehends all kinds of advantage in all sorts of trade to the disadvantage of our neighbor. Now,
this is indeed quite a wide-spread and common vice, but so little regarded and observed that it
exceeds all measure, so that if all who are thieves, and yet do not wish to be called such, were to
be hanged on gallows the world would soon be devastated and there would be a lack both of
executioners and gallows."
- WATSON, THOMAS 1629-1686
The Eighth Commandment"
"The thing forbidden in this commandment, is meddling with another man's property. The civil
lawyers define furtum, stealth or theft to be 'the laying hands unjustly on that which is another's;'
the invading another's right."
9th COMMANDMENT - SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS
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CALVARY BAPTIST
CHURCH - Heidelberg, Germany
"Truth Is Sacred"
"With this, you begin to get the important idea that truth is something that God is profoundly
interested in not only in our man to God relationship, but man to man. It is to be exalted, honored,
revered, pursued in every relationship."
- FISHER, EDWARD 1627-1655
"The Sum Of The Ninth Commandment"
"Well, then I pray you consider, that in the ninth commandment there is a negative part expressed
in these words: 'Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour'; that is, thou shalt not
think or speak anything contrary to truth, or that may tend to the hurt or hindrance either of thine
own or thy neighbour's good name. And an affirmative part included in these words: 'But thou
shalt by all good means seek to maintain them both, according to truth and a good
conscience.'"
- LUTHER, MARTIN 1483-1546
The Ninth Commandment"
"Therefore this commandment is given first of all that every one shall help his neighbor to secure
his rights, and not allow them to be hindered or twisted, but shall promote and strictly maintain
them, no matter whether he be judge or witness, and let it pertain to whatsoever it will. And
especially is a goal set up here for our jurists that they be careful to deal truly and uprightly with
every case, allowing right to remain right, and, on the other hand, not perverting anything [by
their tricks and technical points turning black into white and making wrong out to be right], nor
glossing it over or keeping silent concerning it, irrespective of a person's money, possession,
honor, or power."
- WATSON, THOMAS 1620-1686
The Ninth Commandment"
The prohibitory part of the commandment, or, what it forbids in general. It forbids anything
which may tend to the disparagement or prejudice of our neighbour. The second thing forbidden
in this commandment is false witness. Here three sins are condemned: (1) Speaking. (2)
Witnessing. (3) Swearing that which is false, contra proximum [against your
neighbour]."
10th COMMANDMENT - COVETOUSNESS
- FISHER, EDWARD 1627-1655
"The Sum Of The Tenth Commandment"
"Well, then, I pray you consider, that in the tenth commandment there is a negative part expressed
in these words, 'Thou shalt not covet,' &c.: that is, thou shalt not inwardly think on, nor long
after, that which belongs to another, though it be without consent of will, or purpose of heart to
seek after it; and an affirmative part included in these words, 'But thou shalt be well contented
with thine own outward condition, and heartily desire the good of thy neighbours.'"
GOUGE, WILLIAM
1575-1653
"Covetousness" - The 10th Commandment
"Therefore it is an immoderate desire: that is, when a man is not content with that portion which
God by his providence in a lawful and warrantable course doth afford unto him, but (according to
the apostle's phrase) he will be rich; he will have more than God alloweth him in a fair way; and if
he cannot otherwise get more, he will be discontent."
- LUTHER, MARTIN 1483-1546
The Tenth Commandment"
"In whatever way such things happen, we must know that God does not wish that you deprive
your neighbor of anything that belongs to him so that he suffer the loss and you gratify your
avarice with it, even if you could keep it honorably before the world; for it is a secret and
insidious imposition practised under the hat, as we say, that it may not be observed. For although
you go your way as if you had done no one any wrong, you have nevertheless injured your
neighbor; and if it is not called stealing and cheating, yet it is called coveting your neighbor's
property, that is, aiming at possession of it, enticing it away from him without his will, and being
unwilling to see him enjoy what God has granted him. And although the judge and every one must
leave you in possession of it, yet God will not leave you therein; for He sees the deceitful heart
and the malice of the world, which is sure to take an ell in addition wherever you yield to her a
finger's breadth, and at length public wrong and violence follow."
- WATSON, THOMAS 1620-1686
The Tenth Commandment"
"But all the danger is, when the world gets into the heart. Water is useful for the sailing of the
ship: all the danger is when the water gets into the ship; so the fear is, when the world gets into
the heart. 'Thou shalt not covet.'"
COMMANDMENTS - ALL INCLUSIVE
- FISHER, EDWARD 1627-1655
"The Difference Between The Law And The Gospel"
"And now, knowing rightly how to distinguish between the law and the gospel, we must, in the
sixth place, take heed that we break not the orders between these two in applying the law
where the gospel is to be applied, either to ourselves or to others; for albeit the law and gospel, in
order of doctrine, are many times to be joined together, yet in the case of justification, the law
must be utterly separated from the gospel."
- FISHER, EDWARD 1627-1655
"The Use Of The Law"
But, sir, are you sure that the Lord requires that every man should keep all the ten commandments
according as you have now expounded them?
Yea, indeed he does; and if you make any question of it, I pray you, consider further, that one
asking our Saviour, which is the "great commandment in the law?" he answered, "Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This," says he,
"is the first and great commandment; and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour
as thyself," (Matt 22:37-39).
- LUTHER, MARTIN 1483-1546
Conclusion Of The Ten Commandment"
"For it will be a long time before they will produce a doctrine or estates equal to the Ten
Commandments, because they are so high that no one can attain to them by human power; and
whoever does attain to them is a heavenly, angelic man far above all holiness of the world. Only
occupy yourself with them, and try your best, apply all power and ability and you will find so
much to do that you will neither seek nor esteem any other work or
holiness."
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STEDMAN, RAY C. 1917-1992
"Do Christians Need The Ten Commandments?"
"Here again he is pointing out something that rests upon the death of Christ -- the fact that the
whole of the old life must go, completely, in the death of Christ, and that, therefore, as
Christians, we no longer have any excuse whatever for failure in our lives. As long as we excuse
any degree of failure at all, we are slaves to it."
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WATSON, THOMAS 1620-1686
The Preface To The Ten Commandments"
"The preface to the Ten Commandments is, 'I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is,
'God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn
proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets
(Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person."
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