There are only 3 places where the phrase, "ten commandments" can be found in the Bible. All of it are found in the Old Testament namely: Exodus 34:28 , Deuteronomy 4:13 and Deuteronomy 10:4 . In all three places, the ten commandments is specifically referred to as "the covenant" or "the words of the covenant" and written on two stone tablets. These tablets of stone were placed inside an ark. They called this ark as the "ark of the covenant" (Heb. 9:4 ). Clearly, it was the core of the old covenant established at Mt. Sinai.
In the New Testament, the phrase "ten commandments" cannot be be found. Instead we find a reference to it in 2 Corinthians 3 as being:
- the letter that is written in tablets of stone (2 Cor. 3:3,7 ).
- the letter that kills (2 Cor. 3:6 ).
- its ministry brought death, engraved in letters on stone (2 Cor. 3:7 ).
- Paul's ministry of the new covenant is not like Moses' ministry that brought death and condemns (2 Cor. 3:7,9 ).
- It was the old covenant (2 Cor. 3:14 ).
This old covenant is now obsolete (Heb. 8:13 ) and has been replaced by the better and new covenant (Heb. 8:6 ) which was established by the Lord Jesus (Luke 22:20 ). The old covenant was for the Old Testament Israelites. The new covenant is for everyone who believes -- Jews and Gentiles alike. It's laws are written in our minds and hearts, not with ink on tablets of stone.
The old covenant included laws which only applied to the Old Testament Israelites. These were shadows of the reality that was to come -- Jesus Christ. Many of those laws like the rituals, festivals and the Sabbaths were -- according to Paul -- shadows of the reality. It pictured Christ. But now that the reality has come -- Jesus Christ -- what do we need the shadows for? (Hebrews 10:1 , Colossians 2:16-17 ). We must look to Christ who is our real schoolmaster, tutor or guardian -- not the temporary law (Gal. 3:23-25 ).
What about the Law of Moses? The phrase is mentioned 21 times in the Bible. It is common knowledge that the Law of Moses composed the first 5 books of the Old Testament. Jews call it the Torah, or the Law. Jesus subdivided the Old Testament in 3 parts with the Law of Moses being the first division of their Bible back then (Luke 24:44 ). It contained all the laws, statutes and judgments which the Israelites were supposed to keep. This was the old covenant that was established between God and the Israelites with the ten commandments being at its very core (Exodus 19-24 ). Of course, sometimes all of the Old Testament was also called the Law (John 10:34 ).
During the time of Paul, there were Christian converts both from Jews and Gentiles. Trouble in the churches started when some of these Jewish converts insisted that the Gentile converts should also KEEP THE LAW OF MOSES IN ORDER TO BE SAVED! (Acts 15:1,5 )
These were the same issues that Paul discussed in his epistles especially in Romans and in Galatians. (Romans 3:19-24 and Galatians 2:16,21 ). Paul consistently explained that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ and not by observance of the law.
In Romans, it is clearly the Law of Moses that is being referred to in Romans 5:13-14 . It is also clear that it is the Law of Moses that is being referred to in Galatians 3 by just checking the internal evidence within the chapter itself.
Paul clearly said that only Christ could justify us. The keeping of the Law of Moses could not justify us!
Acts 13:38-39 38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
How clear! Yet, some Christians today insist on the keeping of the Law of Moses in order to be saved! This is exactly the same issue that Paul faced some 2,000 years ago. The old covenant is obsolete (Heb. 8:13 ) and was replace by a better covenant (Heb. 8:6 ).
The Law of Moses or the old covenant was for the Old Testament Israelites. That is the clear teaching of the Bible. We are under the new covenant. We are under grace not under law but it doesn't mean we can just live a life of sin! (Rom. 6:14-15 ). We continue to keep the "ten commandments" but in a different light -- not in the old covenant way it was kept by the Old Testament Israelites (Rom. 7:6 ). It used to be that we dedicated one day to "keep the Sabbath", but now we understand that Christ is our Sabbath -- the reality pointed out by the shadow (Col. 2:16-17 ). We give all our lives to him not just for a day but for all time, each time, every time.
Right now, there is a "veil" that covers the minds of those who insist on keeping the law for salvation. They look to Moses for salvation without them knowing it. But Paul says it is only when we look to Christ that the veil that blinds them shall be taken away so that they will understand.
2 Corinthians 3:13-17 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
That yoke of slavery is the Law of Moses.
Acts 15:1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved."
Acts 15:5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."
Acts 15:10-11 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
Yes, the keeping of God's law under the new covenant is very important. It has its rightful place. But clearly, salvation is by grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, apart from works.
For further reading:
Articles List 
