Silence of Scripture “But, where does God say I can’t?” Habakkuk 2:20 ~ But the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him. Matthew 13:9, 15 ~ He who has ears to hear, let him hear! … Their ears are hard of hearing. “But, where does God say I can’t?” Silence of Scripture

Silence of Scripture We can practice things not found in Scripture. We must avoid only those things specifically forbidden. If God has not pointed out something is wrong, it is acceptable.

Silence of Scripture We can practice only what is found to be taught in God’s word. “We speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent.” 1 Peter 4:11 ~ If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.

# 1 ~ An attitude exemplified in the OT and NT. 1 Cor 4:6 ~ Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. Lev. 24:10-16; Num. 9:1-14 Num. 9:15-23; Deut. 8:1-3 Acts 15:23,24; Hebrews 7:14

# 2 ~ We lose the Bible as a reliable guide otherwise. “Stop expecting book, chapter, and verse for everything.”

# 2 ~ We lose the Bible as a reliable guide otherwise. Intentional or Unintentional? The Scriptures claim to be a complete guide: John 16:13; 2 Pet. 1:3; 2 Tim. 3:16-17 Why preserved? Matt. 24:35;1 Pet. 1:23

# 3 ~ The only way to have confidence in what pleases God “book, chapter, verse” authorizes it!

# 3 ~ The only way to have confidence in what pleases God On what basis can we assume that something different from Bible teaching is right? Human wisdom? Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12; 1 Cor 2:10

# 4 ~ The only way to have Biblical unity John 17:18-23 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:1-6 1 Pet. 4:11

# 4 ~ The only way to have Biblical unity The only way to end religious division is to agree to use only the Bible as our guide in religious matters.

# 4 ~ The only way to have Biblical unity When we argue for something not found in the Bible, why do we need the Bible at all?

Face God in Judgment? “Hoping” what you have done is acceptable even though it is not revealed in Scripture. “Knowing” what you have done is accepted by God because it is revealed in Scripture.

Face God in Judgment? Matt 7:21-23 ~ "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!‘

Face God in Judgment? Deut 29:29 ~ The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Face God in Judgment? Habakkuk 2:20 ~ But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.