1. The Silence of the Scriptures

2. Consider… Infant baptism Voting on church members Official clergy/laity distinction Celibacy for clergy Ecumenical councils Church-supported seminaries Instrumental music Yearly observance of Lord’s Supper

3. Denominational View “We can practice things not found in the New Testament. We must avoid only those things specifically condemned in the Scriptures.”

4. Alternative View “We can practice only what is found to be taught in God’s word. A ‘thus saith the Lord’ is absolutely necessary to authorize any practice.”

5. Old Testament Examples Exodus 14:10-14 Leviticus 24:10-16 Numbers 9:1-14 Numbers 15:32-36 Numbers 9:15-23

6. New Testament Examples Acts 15:23,24 1 Corinthians 4:6 Hebrews 7:14 2 John 9-11

7. Reliable Guide = Bible “ If the Bible doesn’t condemn it, why not allow it? “Let’s just stop giving book, chapter, and verse for what we practice.” Once we engage in practicing one thing not authorized in scriptures, why not another?

8. The Dilemma We’ve lost the proper picture of what the Lord’s church is and what it is supposed to be. There are two possible explanations for God’s silence. –Intentional –Unintentional

9. The Only Way to Know What Pleases God—the Bible Find a Bible book, chapter, and verse that authorizes a practice. –The universally preferred method –The most reasonable approach All human opinions are equal Human opinions are irrelevant Isaiah 55:8-11 1 Corinthians 2:4,5; 9-13 2 Timothy 3:16,17

10. Different Approach Assume that since God didn’t condemn it, it’s OK. –Based on two false assumptions : God’s silence = permission. Any human addition to NT church practices is right until proven wrong.

11. Only Way to Prove That We’re Pleasing God Paul and Jesus both prayed for unity. –John 17:18-23 –1 Corinthians 1:10 –Ephesians 4:1-6 –Philippians 3:16

12. Division Is Sinful Proverbs 6:19 Romans 14:1-6 1 Corinthians 1:11-15 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 Galatians 1:6-9

13. What About God’s Silence? Using the Bible as our only guide will end all religious division. Unity can be achieved only by following the Bible. If we had no Bibles, how could we agree on how to please God? The same situation exists if we argue about something that the Scripture doesn’t teach.