Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 11/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dear Dr. (Rev.) Miles Bateman

What are the of the verses, of what chapters., of what books, of the Bible; that explains and sheds light on;

After a person becomes a Christian; what are the do's/do not's for, Christians?

A list of the verses, is what I am looking for: I can look up what the Bible says (this way it will save you some time).

Even some of the verses will help, if you do not have time to do the hole answer.


Thank you in advance for your time and help on this matter.


Allen


ANSWER: Sorry, Allen there are no quick lists.  All of the epistles are definitely written for the education of the Church and its members.  There are examples of proper behavior for the Christian in Acts, the Gospels and even the Old Testament.  Just as the Ten Commandments were in essence just topic headers for the other 6oo+ commandments there are many areas to be studied by reading the Book, attending Church and any discipleship classes your church offers.  

Get into the Book and pray and God will work on what you need immediately by the work fo the Holy Spirit and will contiue to teach you until the day you die or the Rapture.  Blessings to you!!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Dr. (Rev.) Miles Bateman

You said; "Just as the Ten Commandments were in essence just topic headers for the other 6oo+ commandments there are ...".

Where can I get the list of the "other 6oo+ commandments"?

I read the Bible, But my reading skills  could be better, I am old.  In the bible there should be ways to tell if a christian is still on the narrow path, and what to do/ not do to stay on the narrow path.  I am trying to also, find out which Christian Denomination is the closest to the Bible.

May God be with you.

Allen

Answer
Here are the 613 commandments in Judaism.  Many of them are no longer required because they related to the ceremonial and sacrificial laws and they were done away by the sacrifice of Christ on Cross.

http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm

I did actually find a list for the New Testament.  

http://www.biblicalresearchreports.com/listofcommands.php

This is the first I have ever seen such a list but I suspect that given enough time someone will make a list fo everything.  They say there are 684.  

The problem with a list is that unless you keep the context of a command/passage you can get into all kinds of wacky stuff. Thus I would disagree with the list.  I did not look at all 684 but the one below is an example.

Matthew 18:8-9 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. (9) And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

This was not an actual command but given in response to the then held belief that you may not have complete control over your various parts.  Thus if you stole something it would be an excuse that your hand did it without you consent.  If you were caught as a peeping Tom it would be your eye's fault and so on.  

Christ was debunking that theory by saying that if that were true then it would be better to cut off the  offending part rather than being cast into hell with it at the Judgment. So, it it not really a commandment but a condemnation of a ploy used to escape personal responsibility.  By not understanding that some mentally ill folks and others have actually multilated themselves.  

Thus there may be less 684 or more because in context you may actually find a command that is clearly inferred or may even come about as an answer to a rethorical question.  That is why each passage must be read in context.  That is also why we have pastor-teachers to do the background study though the Holy Spirit can teach a born-again child of God even if a pastor-teacher is not available.

We are called to study the Word.  I understand the age issue as I am running up on old myself.  

As to denominations, I was raised a Methodist and my wife a Lutheran.  Neither of us were actually saved until we went to an Independent Baptist Church.  After I was saved, I did study the other denominations with other groups and I do strongly believe that the Independent Baptists are the closest to 1st Century Christianity.  That said, there are some groups that use that name that have strayed from the path.  

I would suggest that you contact this college and see of there is a church pastored by one of their graduates in your area or if they know of a good church you can contact.  http://www.pcci.edu/

May God richly bless you as you seek Him in His Word!!!