[Olumuyiwa Sunday ASAOLU, PhD] A Teaching Presented on Saturday, Nov 14, The Auditorium of The Church of Christ, Akoka, Lagos. The Silence Of The Scriptures –1 Cor 4:6

What are the scriptures and its purpose? We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1: … the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:15 -17

What is meant by silence of the scriptures? This concept refers to one of several things: 1. The absence of information [revelation] on a subject matter. 2. The lack of divine instruction to support a humanly held RELIGIOUS position, God having provided an alternative. Absolute silence (1) is impossible because the Bible rightly claims to contain ALL TRUTH relating to life and godliness –Jn 1:1-3, 2Pet 1:2-3, 2 Tim 3:16-17 Relative silence (2) when violated leads to offences and ultimately division because some are willing to obey and please the Lord while others are determined to go beyond what is commanded or implied in the scriptures.

God speaks His mind! We can not please God by assuming that we know what He wants, his thought are FAR different from ours: Jeremiah 19:5 They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind: Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Thus God spoke to men via the prophets of old to reveal His will in ages past and unto us through Christ and his apostles –Heb 1:1-2, Eph 3:3-5, 1 Cor 2:11-13, 1 Thess 4:1-2. His word enshrined in the scriptures is our guide. The Bible, and indeed no document is authoritative if its silence is not respected!

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Paul wrote: “… that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, … ” -1 Cor 4:6 John wrote: “ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law ” … 1 Jn 3:4 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. -1 Jn 2:9

Examples of Relative Silence Violation What the Scripture saidWhat it ImpliesConclusion Aaron’s sons were killed for offering strange fire before the Lord –Lev 10:1-3 God must have instructed them beforehand about the specific kind of fire that he wanted (recorded later in Lev 16:12)Human discretion is disavowed where and when God is explicit and detailed as to His requirements Moses was sanctioned for striking the Rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded –Num 20:7-12 Emotion or convenience is no excuse, man should not substitute his whims or preference for what the Lord has commandment Saul was rejected for sparing and sacrificing rather than slaughter the king and animals of Amalek in war as commanded -1 Sam 15:1-35 to obey is better than sacrifice

Samples of Inference of Scriptural Silence What the Scripture saidWhat it Implies The Levites were selected to be priests under the law of Moses –Num 1-3, Deut 18:1 Because Moses spake nothing about Judah and the priesthood, it would be illegal for Jesus to serve as High Priest under that law hence the law was changed –Heb 7:12-14 The priests are to prepare and eat the showbread in the temple –Lev 24:5-9 Ordinarily, David or anyone else could not have eaten the shewbread as it was meant only for the priests –Mt 12:5 (It became lawful for him to it based on the implication of other matters -1 Sam 21:3-6, Mt 12:1-7) We are to preach the gospel –Mk 16:15-16 It is condemnable to preach another gospel –Gal 1:6-8

Further Implication from Scriptural Silence What the Scripture saidWhat it Implies There is only one acceptable name to God in matters of salvation –Acts 4:12, Eph 3;14-15,21 & 1 Cor 1:10-13, 1 Pet 4:16 To seek God, wear or worship through another name than that of Christ is sinful and condemned. There is one body –the Church of Christ Mt 16:18, Eph 1:21-23; 4:4 Every other body is not of God! The church is the pillar and ground of the truth and the one to declare the manifold wisdom of God -1 Tim 3:15, Eph 3:9-11 No other religious organization upholds the truth neither have they been divinely mandated to declare it! Christians are to sing His praises, break the bread, etc. Eph 5:19, 1 Cor 11:23-34 It is presumptuous to add instruments, celebrate Christmas, etc.

What of abiblical matters? Those who violate the silence of the scriptures seek justification by saying we do things not expressly found in the Bible such as the use of: Church building and Baptistery Microphone Committees. These can however be established to be permissive not prohibited under expediencies allowed by generic instruction because…

Conclusion The silence of the scriptures is violated WHEN man substitutes his opinion for what God has specified or seeks to legislate and bind such when God permits individual discretion and liberty. Such violation is mostly responsible for religious division and should be avoided. This is attainable when we have the right motive and attitude to worship and please God. Let us learn to confine our beliefs and practices to those things for which there is Bible Authority.

THANK YOU