Lesson 5 (Part 3) The Silence Of The Scriptures (Presentations are basically an adaptation of material found in Billy W. Moore’s classbook, A Study of Authority)

Silence of the Scriptures  Grant Permission or Set Limits?

Silence of the Scriptures  The Silence Of God Is As Sacred As His Revealed Will !

Silence of the Scriptures  Deuteronomy 29:29 … “The secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

Silence of the Scriptures  Two Approaches: 1. Whatever God has revealed in His word constitutes authority, i.e. Where the Bible is silent we must be silent … 2. Whatever God in His word has not expressly and specifically forbidden gives freedom to act, i.e. Where the Bible is silent, we are at liberty to act as we think best …

Silence of the Scriptures  Two Approaches I llustrated In Church History. Reformation movement. 1. Martin Luther, the great German reformer, felt that we were at liberty to do anything not expressly forbidden. 2.Ulrich Zwingle, the great Swiss reformer, felt that only that which is expressly authorized should be taught and practiced.

Silence of the Scriptures  Two Approaches I llustrated I n Church History. Restoration movement. The expression, "we speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent" was a famous expression during the early 19th century. a.Compare: "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." 1 Peter 4:11 b.Those who held forth this claim felt that we could only do that which God authorized.

Silence of the Scriptures Two Approaches I llustrated In Church History. These Attitudes Were Involved In The Division Of The Nineteenth Century. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) adopted the view: we speak where the Bible speaks, where the Bible is silent we have liberty, thus freedom to act as we think best.

Silence of the Scriptures  These Attitudes Were Involved In The Division Of The Nineteenth Century.  Christian Church accepted the missionary society and mechanical instruments of music, even though neither is authorized in the New Testament. Later, state-wide organization, trained choirs, "fellowship-halls", chicken dinners, etc., all on the same basis... i.e., the Bible doesn't say not to have them, or the silence of the scripture. They contended that the Lord told us to preach the gospel but he did not say how, so we can use the missionary society. Cf. OTEY-BRINEY DEBATE, pages 169 and 174. (See Note on J.B. Briney before his death. Gospel Guardian, Aug. 4, 1955)

The Authority of Christ  Complete – Matthew 28:18; 2 Timothy 3:16ff  Necessary – Colossians 3:17  Inspired Scripture – 2 Timothy 3:16-17  Established by: (Acts 15:7-19) Direct statement (command / precept) Apostolic approved example Necessary inference 10

Silence of the Scriptures  "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." 1 Peter 4:11  Silence Sets Limits

Bible Authority – Bible Pattern  “See … that you make all things according to the pattern …” (Hebrews 8:5)  “Hold the pattern of sound words …” (2 Timothy 1:13)  “Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk, even as ye have us for an ensample.” (Philippians 3:17) 12

“But it doesn’t say not to!” 13 Silence of the Scriptures

Silence Sets Limits  Moving the ark of the covenant – Numbers 4:1-6, 15; 7:9 Levites (Kohathites), on their shoulders  King David moves ark to Jerusalem – 1 Chronicles 13:1-8 [1 Samuel 6:7, 11; 7:1] Preparations, 13:1-4 Death of Uzza, 13:

Silence Sets Limits God’s displeasure – 1 Chronicles 13:9- 14 “Error” (2 Samuel 6:7) Why was God angry: ○ Why? (13:2-3) Who? (13:4) How? (13:7) Was God angry with David’s attitude of heart? (13:8) Was God angry with Uzza’s good intention? (13:9-10) 15

Silence Sets Limits Did not follow God’s pattern for moving the ark! – 1 Chronicles 15:2, 13 “…because we did not consult Him about the proper order” (15:13) ○ No one may carry ark but Levites (15:2) ○ Levites bore it on poles “as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord” (15:15) Then, God helped them! (15:26) 16

Silence Sets Limits Adding to what God has said violates the principle of silence (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18) What God says is what He wants … the way He wants it … and all He wants! Silence is not permission to act, it restrains us from acting (Hebrews 8:5) Silence sets the boundaries within which we may act (Acts 15:24) 17

God’s Judgments Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 8:36; 9:2- 24; 10:1-2) Had been following pattern, Leviticus 8-9 Had been following pattern, Leviticus 8-9 Offered “strange fire”, Leviticus 10:1-2 Offered “strange fire”, Leviticus 10:1-2 ○ “Which He had not commanded them” (cf. Leviticus 6:12-13; 16:12) God’s judgment: Death 18

God’s Judgments Saul & the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15) The command & the disobedience, 15:3, 9, 11 Saul’s rationalization, 15:13-15, 21 God’s explanation, 15:22-23 God’s judgment: Rebellion! Rejected as king 19

God’s Judgments Priestly tribe (Hebrews 7:11-14) Levitical priesthood, 7:11 Order of Aaron, 7:11 ○ None from Judah officiated at altar, 7:13 ○ Moses, by saying “Levi,” was silent about priests from Judah, 7:14 God’s judgment: Only Levi 20

God’s Judgments Judaizers (Acts 15:1, 24; Gal. 2:5) Argument was: Circumcision + gospel = Salvation, 15:5 No commandment given, 15:24 ○ Silent ! God’s judgment: Subverting souls! 21

Adding To God’s Silence Music in worship (Ephesians 5:19) Sing + Play = Beyond Christ’s authority! 22 Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9; 2 Timothy 1:13

Adding To God’s Silence  How to baptize (Romans 6:4) Immerse + Sprinkle = Beyond Christ’s authority! “Dip” (cf. Luke 16:24; John 13:26)  bapto (bap'-to); a primary verb; to overwhelm, i.e. cover wholly with a fluid; in the N. T. only in a qualified or specially, sense, i.e. (literally) to moisten (a part of one's person), or (by implication) to stain (as with dye) (Strong’s) 23 Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9; 2 Timothy 1:13

Adding To God’s Silence  Subject of baptism (Mark 16:16; Mt. 28:18ff) Adult believer + Infant = Beyond Christ’s authority! 24 Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9; 2 Timothy 1:13

Adding To God’s Silence  When to eat Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7) Sunday + Thursday = Beyond Christ’s authority! 25 Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9; 2 Timothy 1:13

Adding To God’s Silence  Many more examples… Spiritual work of local church + Social Autonomous churches + Sponsoring Men preachers + Women preachers 26 Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9; 2 Timothy 1:13

Respect God’s Silence  Do not add to what God has said  Abide in the doctrine of Christ  Hold fast the pattern of sound words Salvation & fellowship with God hangs in the balance! 27 Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9; 2 Timothy 1:13