THE SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES

I. A BIBLE DOCTRINE, Deut. 4:2; 5:32; Prov. 30:5-6; Lev. 10:1-2; Heb. 1:5; 7:12-14; 2 Jno. 9; 1 Cor. 4:6; Gal. 1:9; Rev. 22:18-19; Matt. 15:9 II. SOME COMMON EXAMPLES OF VIOLATION OF SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES A. Instrumental music in worship A. Instrumental music in worship

MUSIC IN THE N.T. MUSIC IN THE N.T. Singing Instrumental Singing Instrumental Music Music Matt.26:30 ? Matt.26:30 ? Acts 16:25 ? Acts 16:25 ? Rom. 15:9 ? Rom. 15:9 ? 1 Cor. 14:15 ? 1 Cor. 14:15 ? Eph. 5:19 ? Eph. 5:19 ? Col. 3:16 ? Col. 3:16 ? Heb. 2:12 ? Heb. 2:12 ? Heb. 13:15 ? Heb. 13:15 ? Jas. 5:13 ? Jas. 5:13 ?

"This principle is pretty basic to our religious FREEDOM, even in regard to the Lord's Supper. “So, to re-emphasize the point, it would NOT be a sin or unscriptural to have `meat and potatoes', `pie or ice cream', or any other healthful, helpful food `on the table' as an aid in our worship, providing that our spiritual purpose was to meet HIM there, and to thankfully remember Him for His death and ALL that He means to us, physically as well as spiritu- ally." (Francis J. Winder, Music of the Saints, p. 123, all capitals his, my emph, sw)

THE SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES I. A BIBLE DOCTRINE, Deut. 4:2; 5:32; Prov. 30:5-6; Lev. 10:1-2; Heb. 1:5; 7:12-14; 2 Jno. 9; 1 Cor. 4:6; Gal. 1:9; Rev. 22:18-19; Matt. 15:9 II. SOME COMMON EXAMPLES OF VIOLATION OF SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES A. Instrumental music in worship A. Instrumental music in worship B. Infant baptism

The proper candidate for baptism in scripture: 1. Sinners, Ezek. 18:20 2. Believers, Mk. 16:16 3. Those who can repent, Acts 2:38

“One of the reasons that Catholics get criticized is because Catholics baptize infants. One often hears it said, `…There is not one text in the Bible that says that infants should be baptized!.’ True, there is not one text that explicitly says that infants should be baptized. On the other hand, there is not one text that says explicitly not to baptize infants.” “One of the reasons that Catholics get criticized is because Catholics baptize infants. One often hears it said, `…There is not one text in the Bible that says that infants should be baptized!.’ True, there is not one text that explicitly says that infants should be baptized. On the other hand, there is not one text that says explicitly not to baptize infants.” (“THE BIBLE, AND INFANT BAPTISM: WHY DO CATHOLICS BAPTIZE INFANTS?” by Matt1618, Matt's Catholic Apologetics Page, my emph, sw)

THE SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES I. A BIBLE DOCTRINE, Deut. 4:2; 5:32; Prov. 30:5-6; Lev. 10:1-2; Heb. 1:5; 7:12-14; 2 Jno. 9; 1 Cor. 4:6; Gal. 1:9; Rev. 22:18-19; Matt. 15:9 II. SOME COMMON EXAMPLES OF VIOLATION OF SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES A. Instrumental music in worship A. Instrumental music in worship B. Infant baptism III. SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR THINGS NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED

“If this so-called `law of silence’ were to be followed `religiously,’ then our PA systems, Powerpoint usage, song books, and other things which we commonly use in worship would all be outlawed. It really is time to apply some common sense to this `law,’ and the way it is applied by so many.” (Anonymous reader from Oregon responds to Al Maxey, “Regarding Responsible Reformation,” Reflections #14, February 07, 2003)

THE SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES I. A BIBLE DOCTRINE II. SOME COMMON EXAMPLES OF VIOLATION OF SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES III. SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR THINGS NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IV. SOME NEEDED APPLICATIONS: A. The church 1. Evangelism, Phil. 4:15; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 11:8-9; 1 1. Evangelism, Phil. 4:15; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 11:8-9; 1 Pet. 5:2 Pet. 5:2 2. Benevolence, 1 Tim. 5:16; Acts 6:1-3; Jas. 1:27

CHURCH BENEVOLENCE IN THE N.T. Passage: Who was relieved: Acts 2:44-45 Needy among them that believed believed Acts 4:32-35 Needy among them that believed believed Acts 6:1-6 Widows among disciples Acts 11:27-30 Brethren in Judea Rom. 15:26; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; Poor among the saints 2 Cor Tim. 5:16 Widowed saints

THE SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES I. A BIBLE DOCTRINE II. SOME COMMON EXAMPLES OF VIOLATION OF SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES III. SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR THINGS NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IV. SOME NEEDED APPLICATIONS: A. The church 1. Evangelism, Phil. 4:15; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 11:8-9; 1 1. Evangelism, Phil. 4:15; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 11:8-9; 1 Pet. 5:2 Pet. 5:2 2. Benevolence, 1 Tim. 5:16; Acts 6:1-3; Jas. 1:27 3. Social Gospel, Eph. 4:11-12

Chimala Mission and Hospital, Tanzania: “The Chimala Mission and Hospital was the first hospital built by members of the Churches of Christ….Andrew and Claudene Connally founded the Chimala Mission and Hospital in 1962…. Many of the funds necessary to build the hospital were raised through the efforts of members of the Park Row Church of Christ in Arlington, Texas. 2 The hospital has also been sponsored by the Springtown, Church of Christ, Springtown, Texas, and the Seagoville Church of Christ in Seagoville, Texas, and is currently under the oversight of the New York Avenue Church of Christ in Arlington, Texas.” (Medical Missions Among Churches of Christ, second edition, Phillip Eichman, chapter 3, online book) 2 Chimala Mission and Hospital, Tanzania: “The Chimala Mission and Hospital was the first hospital built by members of the Churches of Christ….Andrew and Claudene Connally founded the Chimala Mission and Hospital in 1962…. Many of the funds necessary to build the hospital were raised through the efforts of members of the Park Row Church of Christ in Arlington, Texas. 2 The hospital has also been sponsored by the Springtown, Church of Christ, Springtown, Texas, and the Seagoville Church of Christ in Seagoville, Texas, and is currently under the oversight of the New York Avenue Church of Christ in Arlington, Texas.” (Medical Missions Among Churches of Christ, second edition, Phillip Eichman, chapter 3, online book) 2

“A hundred years ago churches of Christ were in turmoil over instrumental music in worship. One of the central issues concerned interpreting the silence of the Scripture. Does silence permit or exclude? The debate, as everyone knows, resulted in the great split late in the 19th century. “...Now, the discussion of instrumental music for seeker services and in some instances Sunday worship raises the possibility of a trend among urban churches to be more tolerant of instrumental music. “...A total of five congregations either have instrumental worship services or have discussed such a change.” (“Chronicle addresses a cappella issue,” by Bailey McBride, The Christian Chronicle, September 21, 2003, my emph, sw)

THE SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES I. A BIBLE DOCTRINE II. SOME COMMON EXAMPLES OF VIOLATION OF SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES III. SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR THINGS NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IV. SOME NEEDED APPLICATIONS: A. The church 1. Evangelism, Phil. 4:15; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 11:8-9; 1 1. Evangelism, Phil. 4:15; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 11:8-9; 1 Pet. 5:2 Pet. 5:2 2. Benevolence, 1 Tim. 5:16; Acts 6:1-3; Jas. 1:27 3. Social Gospel, Eph. 4:11-12 B. Divorce and remarriage, Matt. 19:9; 1 Cor. 7:15; 2 Jno Jno. 9-11