Christianity, Judaism, and Islam accept and use all or some of the material found in the Holy Bible. All religions that claim the name of Christianity use the Bible, at least to some extent. Some Christian religions add other documents that are considered as important as the Bible. All denominations and sects use the Bible to substantiate their doctrines, including those that use supplemental documents. Most differences between Christian groups are caused by independent interpretations of parts of the Bible: what some words mean, what is significant, and what degree of emphasis should be applied to different parts.

The first two/thirds of the Bible contain the history and beliefs of Jews up to about 455 BC. The remaining third of the Bible contains the record of what Jesus of Nazareth taught, the record of the first few years of the new form of Judaism, and various letters written by the first evangelists during the first century AD.

One of the most important parts of the Bible is the group of rules called the Ten Commandments. All other rules in the Bible are related to these commandments in some way.

Moses received the Ten Commandments directly from God during the Exodus from Egypt. He repeated the commandments during his farewell sermon to remind the people that the commandments should always represent the supreme authority of God. (Deuteronomy 5:6-21)

The Ten Commandments established only the minimum standard for anyone who wishes to have moral and spiritual well being. Jews identify 603 additional customs or laws that are almost as binding as the commandments. Christian denominations also add rules, customs, and rituals that amplify or interpret the commandments.

God promised that by keeping the commandments, the people of God would have a good life, free from many of the problems and ailments suffered by unbelievers. The commandments were given for their physical well being as well as for their spiritual welfare. A book titled None of these Diseases, written by S. I. McMillen, M.D. pointed out the damaging effects to health caused by behavior prohibited in the Bible. He also identified modern medical practices used by early Hebrews that were unknown to contemporaries of the Hebrews and to non-Jews until recent medical advances demonstrated their value.

Modern liberal Christians have convinced themselves the commandments are no longer relevant because the world is not the same as in the days of Jesus and the Apostles. They believe that human nature has changed. Therefore, the rules preached by Jesus are no longer valid except where they agree with liberal theologians. We are much smarter nowwe can interpret the rules of the Bible any way we choose.

Some critics claim the commandments are legalistic, outmoded, restrictive, and irrelevant for everyone in the modern world. The term legalistic when used in reference to the commandments usually means they are too difficult or too inconvenient. Legalism also works the other way when people anxious to excuse their behavior search for loopholes in the rules, use obscure definitions, or create new meanings for words that allow them to do anything they want. Other critics are merely unconcerned about the consequences of actions by individualsas long as no one is harmed, they say. Some critics believe these rules are too religious and should be banned from public display.

Some Christians believe faith alone or a single experience is all they need to take them into the presence of God. They believe they are saved by grace regardless of what they do; therefore, the commandments are unnecessary. Other Christians replace or modify commandments with rituals and performance of religious activities or duties. Some people pick and choose the laws and rituals they think are important, eliminating those they feel do not apply to them. However, Jesus gave New Testament status to the commandments and other laws of God during his period of teaching on Earth. His concern for the commandments was recorded again in Matt 19:17-19: In answer to a young mans question. Jesus said, Keep the commandments.

The Ten Commandments were revealed to the Hebrews fifty days after the first Passover when the angel sent to destroy the eldest sons passed over residences where faithful Hebrews resided. This event has been celebrated in the Jewish Holiday called Shabuoth.

Jesus was crucified during the period of the Passover; and He was resurrected three days later. Fifty days after his death, the Holy Ghost descended on the Apostles during the holiday of Shabuoth, marking the true beginning of the religion of Christianity. This day is called Pentecost by Christians.
I believe God intended for the birth of Christianity to occur on the day of Shabuoth, because He wanted Christians to remember and obey the commandments, which were given to Moses fifty days after Passover. During the Sermon on the Mount, (Matthew 5 through 7) Jesus taught his disciples to use what is called The Lords Prayer. (Matthew 5:18-20) I believe Jesus gave the Lords Prayer to his disciples to help them remember the commandments. The Lords Prayer repeats the commandments with different words that make the commandments easier to understand. This concept is explained with comparison and analysis of the prayer and the commandments in the following sections.
??

??

??

??