Chapter 2 THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS How far the world and the Church are away from the standard of Jesus Christ, can best be understood by a study of the Commandments of Jesus. The Commandments of Jesus are binding, and constitute His standard for the Christian conscience. The degree of our Christlikeness can be ascertained by the practical application of these Commandments to our life. As a test of the spirit they are the only infallible rule. If the spirit in us honors, teaches and causes us to live in absolute harmony with the Principles and Commandments and teachings of Jesus Christ, then it is the Spirit of God. The Beatitudes are the basis for the real Christian's consecration. When embodied in us in actual fact, we are citizens-elect of the Kingdom of Heaven. In the millennial age, when Christ establishes on this earth His universal Kingdom, consisting of "A Parliament of man, the federation of the world," and governs the same as king, the Beatitudes or Principles, together with the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5, 6 and 7), and the Commandments of Jesus, will be the Constitution and Laws of the Kingdom. The Commandments of Jesus are the authoritative declaration of the Son of God., and are forever binding on the Christian soul. They supersede the Ten Commandments of the Law of Moses, as is seen clearly in the fact that Jesus declared, "It is written in your law, `Thou shalt not kill,' but I SAY UNTO YOU that he that hateth without a cause is a murderer." He who obtains a place in the Kingdom of Heaven, does so through being born again. From his new birth his life will be governed by the Principles and Commandments of Jesus. The tremendous selfishness of the world and the average Christian life is best understood by the application of the unselfish Principles and Commands of Jesus. Observation demonstrates that the really great in God who bless mankind, are those who live in absolute accordance with the teaching of Jesus. With what force then the Words of Jesus come to us, as spoken at the close of His Sermon on the Mount: "Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock; And the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority." Matt. 7:24-29. The second series of the words of Jesus are the COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS—21 sets of 7 commandments each. We have not disturbed the original arrangement as compiled by Reverend John McConnel a number of years ago, as it was revealed to him in a vision. THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS are one of the most important of the entire series of twenty-one. May God grant that the reader will build his life upon a sincere and studied obedience of the commandments of the Son of God. (Matt. 7:24-27).
I. Repentance and Coming To Christ 1. REPENT Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matt. 4:17. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and re-pent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Rev. 2:5. 2. COME TO CHRIST Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt. 11:28. 3. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:33. 4. WHEN YOU PRAY FORGIVE And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25. 5. DENY THYSELF AND TAKE UP CROSS If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matt. 16:24. 6. ASK, SEEK, KNOCK Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Matt. 7:7. 7. STRIVE TO ENTER IN AT STRAIT GATE Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Luke 13:24.
II. Believing the Gospel 1. BELIEVE THE GOSPEL The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15. 2. BELIEVE IN GOD, BELIEVE IN CHRIST Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1. 3. BELIEVE ON HIM WHOM GOD HATH SENT This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:29. 4. BELIEVE THAT I AM IN THE FATHER Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. John 14:11. 5. BELIEVE IN THE WORKS If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. John 10:37-38. 6. BELIEVE IN THE LIGHT While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. John 12:36. 7. BELIEVE THAT YE RECEIVE Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24.
III. The New Birth 1. YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:7. 2. CLEANSE FIRST THAT WHICH IS WITHIN Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Matthew 23:26. 3. MAKE THE TREE GOOD AND ITS FRUIT GOOD Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. Matthew 12:33. 4. ABIDE IN ME AND I IN YOU Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4. 5. HAVE SALT IN YOURSELVES Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. Mark 9:50. 6. LABOUR FOR MEAT THAT ENDURETH TO EVERLASTING LIFE Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. John 6:27. 7. REJOICE BECAUSE YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20.
IV. Receiving the Holy Ghost and Healing 1. RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST Receive ye the Holy Ghost. John 20:22. 2. LET THE CHILDREN FIRST BE FILLED Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. Mark 7:27. 3. IF A MAN THIRST LET HIM COME TO ME AND DRINK If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture bath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37-38. 4. IF YE LOVE ME KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:15-17. 5. ASK, SEEK, KNOCK AND RECEIVE THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Luke 11:9. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13. 6. TARRY UNTIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49. 7. WHEN THE COMFORTER IS COME YE SHALL BEAR WITNESS But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. John 15:26-27.
V. Following Jesus 1. FOLLOW ME If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John 12:26. 2. SUFFER IT TO BE SO NOW; TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Matthew 3:15. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:19. 3. DIVIDE IT (THE LORD'S SUPPER) AMONG YOURSELVES Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Luke 22:17-19. 4. DO AS I HAVE DONE TO YOU If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet: ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. John 13:14-15. 5. DENY THYSELF AND FOLLOW ME If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23. 6. TAKE MY YOKE AND LEARN OF ME Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29. 7. CONTINUE YE IN MY LOVE As the Father bath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. John 15:9.
VI. Prayer 1. WATCH AND PRAY ALWAYS Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:36. 2. PRAY LEST YE ENTER INTO TEMPTATION Pray that ye enter not into temptation. Luke 22:40. Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Luke 22:46. 3. PRAY THAT LABORERS BE SENT INTO THE HARVEST The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Luke 10:2. 4. PRAY FOR THEM THAT DESPITEFULLY USE YOU Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which de-spitefully use you. Luke 6:28. 5. ENTER INTO THY CLOSET ... ASK IN MY NAME AND RECEIVE But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you. John 16:26. 6. AFTER THIS MANNER PRAY YE After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13. 7. WHEN YE PRAY USE NOT VAIN REPETITIONS But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matthew 6:7-8.
VII. Faith 1. HAVE FAITH IN GOD Have faith in God. Mark 11:22. 2. BE NOT FAITHLESS BUT BELIEVING Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. John 20:27. 3. BE NOT OF A DOUBTFUL MIND And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. Luke 12:29. 4. TAKE NO THOUGHT FOR WHAT YE EAT OR DRINK Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Matt. 6:25. 5. LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED OR AFRAID Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27. 6. BE OF GOOD CHEER Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Matthew 14:27. 7. BE NOT AFRAID: ONLY BELIEVE Be not afraid, only believe. Mark 5:36. And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will fore-warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he bath killed bath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Luke 12:4-5.
VIII. Searching the Scriptures 1. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39. 2. REMEMBER THE WORD I SAID UNTO YOU Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. John 15:20. 3. LET THESE SAYINGS SINK INTO YOUR EARS Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. Luke 9:44. 4. TAKE HEED HOW YOU HEAR Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Luke 8:18. 5. TAKE HEED WHAT YOU HEAR Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. Mark 4:24. 6. BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN (FALSE DOCTRINE) OF THE PHARISEES Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Matthew 16:6. 7. BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Matthew 7:15-17.
IX. Letting Your Light Shine 1. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE MEN Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16. 2. TAKE HEED THAT THY LIGHT BE NOT DARKNESS Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. Luke 11:35. 3. I HAVE CHOSEN YOU THAT YE SHOULD BRING FORTH FRUIT Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 15:16 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8. 4. BE MERCIFUL Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:36. 5. TELL THY FRIENDS HOW GREAT THE LORD HATH DONE FOR THEE Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord bath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. Mark 5:19. 6. LOOK ON THE FIELDS; THEY ARE WHITE UNTO HARVEST Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. John 4:35. 7. WALK WHILE YE HAVE THE LIGHT Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. John 12:35.
X. The Second Coming of Christ 1. HOLD FAST TILL I COME But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. Rev. 2:25. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come upon thee. Rev. 3:2-3. 2. BE YE THEREFORE READY Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Luke 12:40. 3. LET YOUR LOINS BE GIRDED AND LIGHTS BURNING Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Luke 12:35-36. 4. TAKE HEED LEST THAT DAY COME UPON YOU UNAWARES And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Luke 21:34. 5. REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE In that day, he which shall be upon the house top, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife. Luke 17:31, 32. 6. TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Mark 13:5-6. 7. WATCH FOR YE KNOW NOT WHEN THE MASTER COMETH Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. Mark 13:35-37.
XI. Supreme Love to God 1. LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30. 2. WORSHIP THE LORD THY GOD ONLY Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matthew 4:10. 3. THEY THAT WORSHIP THE FATHER MUST WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24. 4. CALL NO MAN FATHER UPON EARTH And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Matthew 23:9. 5. THOU SHALT NOT TEMPT THE LORD THY GOD It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Matthew 4:7. 6. FEAR HIM WHO HATH POWER TO KILL AND CAST INFO HELL But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he bath killed bath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Luke 12:5. 7. HONOUR THE SON For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. John 5:22-23.
XII. Our Duty to God and Man 1. RENDER TO CAESAR THAT WHICH IS CAESAR'S Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. Mark 12:17. 2. SWEAR NOT AT ALL; LET YOUR COMMUNICATION BE YEA, YEA; NAY, NAY But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his foot-stool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. Matthew 5:34-37. 3. WHAT GOD HATH JOINED LET NOT MAN PUT ASUNDER And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God bath joined together, let no man put asunder. Matthew 19:5-6. 4. AGREE WITH THY ADVERSARY QUICKLY Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Matthew 5:25. 5. FORBID NOT THOSE WHO DO MIRACLES IN MY NAME Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. Mark 9:39-40.. 6. EAT SUCH THINGS AS ARE SET BEFORE YOU And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. Luke 10:8. 7. GATHER UP THE FRAGMENTS Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing he lost. John 6:12.
XIII. Our Duty to Our Neighbor 1. KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Matt. 19:17. 2. DO NO MURDER Thou shalt do no murder. Matt. 19:18. 3. DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY Thou shalt not commit adultery. Matt. 19:18. 4. DO NOT STEAL Thou shalt not steal. Matt. 19:18. 5. DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS Thou shalt not bear false witness. Matt. 19:18. 6. HONOUR THY FATHER AND MOTHER Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Matt. 19:19. 7. DO TO MEN AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO TO YOU And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. Luke 6:31.
XIV. Covetousness 1. BEWARE OF COVETOUSNESS Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12:15. 2. LAY NOT UP TREASURES ON EARTH Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust cloth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. Matthew 6:19-20. 3. YE TITHE . . . THESE YE OUGHT TO HAVE DONE, AND NOT LEFT OTHER UNDONE Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Matthew 23:23. 4. GIVE TO HIM THAT ASKETH OF THEE Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Matthew 5:42. 5. GIVE ALMS OF SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. Luke 11:41. 6. WHEN YE MAKE A DINNER CALL NOT RICH NEIGHBORS, CALL THE POOR When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. Luke 14:12-13. 7. MAKE FRIENDS OF THE MAMMON OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Luke 16:9.
XV. Hypocrisy 1. BEWARE OF HYPOCRISY Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Luke 12:1. 2. BEWARE OF A SHOW OF RELIGION WITH HYPOCRISY UNDERNEATH Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. Luke 20:46-47. 3. BEWARE OF HYPOCRISY OF THOSE WHO SAY AND DO NOT The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All there-fore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. Matthew 23:2-3. 4. BEWARE OF MAKING THE FATHER'S HOUSE A HOUSE OF MERCHANDISE Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. John 2:16. 5. BEWARE OF THE HYPOCRISY OF DOING ALMS TO BE SEEN OF MEN Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right doeth. Matt. 6:1-3. 6. BEWARE OF PRAYING TO BE SEEN OF MEN And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matt. 6:5-6. 7. BEWARE OF FASTING TO BE SEEN OF MEN Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matt. 6:16-18.
XVI. Meekness 1. TAKE MY YOKE AND LEARN OF ME FOR I AM MEEK AND LOWLY Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29. 2. YE SHALL NOT EXERCISE DOMINION AND AUTHORITY OVER BRETHREN Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. Matthew 20:25-26. 3. WHOSOEVER SHALL BE GREAT SHALL BE YOUR MINISTER But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. Mark 10:43-44. 4. BE NOT CALLED RABBI But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. Matthew 23:8. 5. SIT NOT DOWN IN HIGHEST ROOM WHEN BIDDEN When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him. Luke 14:8 (see Luke 14:8-11). 6. REJOICE NOT BECAUSE SPIRITS ARE SUBJECT TO YOU Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20. 7. WHEN YE HAVE DONE ALL, SAY YE ARE UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Luke 17:10.
XVII. Our Love to the Brethren 1. LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12. 2. DESPISE NOT THE LITTLE ONES Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:10. 3. HAVE PEACE ONE WITH ANOTHER Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. Mark 9:50 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother bath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Matthew 5:23-24. 4. WHEN THY BROTHER TRESPASS TELL HIM HIS FAULT Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Matthew 18:15-17. 5. IF THY BROTHER TRESPASS, REBUKE, FORGIVE HIM Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. Luke 17:3-4. I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:22. 6. JUDGE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24. JUDGE NOT Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matt. 7:1-2. 7. CONDEMN NOT Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Luke 6:37.
XVIII. Perfect Love 1. BE YE PERFECT AS FATHER IS PERFECT Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matt. 5:48. 2. IF THOU WILT BE PERFECT, SELL, GIVE TO POOR AND FOLLOW ME If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. Matt. 19:21 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. Luke 12:32-33. 3. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES: PUT UP THY SWORD But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Matthew 5:44 Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Matthew 26:52. 4. DO GOOD TO THEM THAT HATE YOU; BLESS THEM THAT CURSE YOU But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Luke 6:27-28. 5. DO GOOD, LEND, HOPING FOR NOTHING AGAIN But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Luke 6:35. 6. RESIST NOT EVIL But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Matthew 5:39-41. 7. IN PATIENCE POSSESS YOUR SOULS In your patience possess ye your souls. Luke 21:19.
XIX. Faithful Unto Death 1. BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Rev. 2:10. 2. LET NO MAN TAKE THY CROWN Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Rev. 3:11. 3. REJOICE WHEN PERSECUTED Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:11-12 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. Luke 6:23. 4. WHEN PERSECUTED IN ONE CITY, FLEE TO ANOTHER But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. Matthew 10:23. 5. WHEN THEY DELIVER YOU UP, TAKE NO THOUGHT WHAT YE SPEAK But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. Matthew 10:19. 6. MURMUR NOT Murmur not among yourselves. John 6:43. 7. LOOK UP AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS AS REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28.
XX. Preaching the Gospel 1. PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 10:7. 2. REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS TO BE PREACHED IN ALL NATIONS Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-47. 3. TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:19. 4. TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS I HAVE COMMANDED YOU Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:20. 5. WHAT I TELL YOU IN DARKNESS THAT SPEAK YE IN LIGHT What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. Matthew 10:27 For there is nothing to hide, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. Mark 4:22. 6. FEED MY LAMBS; FEED MY SHEEP Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? Feed my lambs. Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Feed my sheep. Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17. 7. HEAL THE SICK, CAST OUT DEVILS, FREELY GIVE Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8.
XXI. Wisdom 1. BE WISE AS SERPENTS, HARMLESS AS DOVES Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16. 2. BEWARE OF MEN But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. Matthew 10:17. 3. LET THE BLIND ALONE Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Matthew 15:13-14. 4. GIVE NOT THAT WHICH IS HOLY UNTO DOGS Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Matthew 7:6. 5. HE THAT HATH A PURSE, LET HIM TAKE IT When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it. and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. Luke 22:35-36. 6. GO NOT FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. Luke 10:5-7. 7. WHOSOEVER RECEIVETH YOU NOT, SHAKE OFF DUST OF YOUR FEET AGAINST THEM And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. Luke 9:5 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. Luke 10:10-11.