LESSON 1
What is the core of the old covenant?
"Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples" (Ex. 19:5).
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What is the essence of the First Commandment?
The first commandment God gave to the people of Israel, whom he chose and nourished specially, was this: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."(Ex 20:2-3)
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What is the essence of God's Commandments?
The basis of God's Commandments is love. Its essence is Love of God and love of fellow brethren.
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What is Idolatry?
Idolatry is worshipping persons or creatures instead of God, considering them as God. When we give the prime place, which God alone deserves, to any person or thing, we are worshipping idols.
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How do we interpret the Commandments?
These have not only literal meaning, but also an inner meaning, and we have to take this into account when interpreting them.
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What are the sins against the first Commandment?
Atheism, Idolatry, Sorcery, Superstition, Blasphemy or Sacrilege, Devil Worship and Spiritism
How did Jesus fulfill the Old Testament Commandments?
This is how Jesus fulfilled the Commandments: He taught that He came not to nullify but to fulfill the laws. He wanted us to keep the spirit of love and justice underlying the law.
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What are the divine virtues?
Faith, Hope, Love
Faith, hope, and charity - the divine virtues - are the basis of Christian life
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In what ways do the Commandments help us?
Commandments convince us about our duties and responsibilities to God, our brethren, and ourselves. They help us to know, love and serve God and thus attain heaven.
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Veneration of saints does not become idol worship, why?
Its purpose is not to worship them but to revere and respect them. It will help us to remember their holy lives, imitate their example and to seek their intercession
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