The numbering of the Ten Commandments
I was recently talking with a family member who has changed churches from a Lutheran church to a Baptist church. While we were discussing his reasons, one of the points that came up is a question that I have about the 10 Commandments. In the Bible, there are clearly 10 Commandments. When WELS students study the 10 Commandments in Luther's Small Catechism, the commandments are not the same as the way they are written in the Bible. Why is this? My family member believes that this is one of the ways in which WELS churches do not follow the Bible. It is hard to argue with that. Why doesn't the synod just teach the commandments as they are written in the Bible?
The “Ten Commandments” of Exodus 34:28 are literally “Ten Words.” God spoke ten “words” that constituted his commandments, but he did not indicate which was the “first word” or the “tenth word.” As a result, there have been three different numbering systems of the commandments throughout the years (the Jewish system, the Roman Catholic and Lutheran system, and the Reformed and Greek Orthodox system).
Since God did not specifically state which is the “second commandment” or which is the “ninth commandment,” it makes little difference if people attach a different number to a commandment or “word.” The content is not changed.
Our church body is following the Bible in teaching God’s law. We are following the Bible in teaching God’s gospel. We are following the Bible in teaching and administering baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
It is that last thought that helps put your family member’s concern in perspective. You would do well to ask your family member what his or her Baptist church teaches about baptism and the Lord’s Supper. By leaving a Lutheran church and joining a Baptist church, your family member has left a church that teaches accurately from Scripture that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are means of grace through which God offers and gives us forgiveness of sins, life and salvation, and instead joined a church that teaches that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are mere symbols of God’s grace.
How we number the commandments is an adiaphoron—a matter on which the Bible is silent. It is far different with baptism and the Lord’s Supper. People have no right to change what God has said about those gracious acts. I encourage you to have a conversation with your family member on that important subject.