1. The Silence of Scripture
Based on a sermon by Mark Roberts

2. A Line In The Scripture Ephesians 5:18-19
Weird “Church of Christers” vs. Everyone Else
The Argument – “The passage doesn’t say NOT to have mechanical instruments.”
The argument doesn’t end with the instrument.
Women elders
Lord’s Supper on Saturday
We are not ignorant of what the passage actually says.
It is the attitude toward God’s silence.

3. Three Principles About God’s Silence
God expects careful obedience.
Some mistakenly believe God is just tickled whenever we think of Him. The Scriptures say something different.

4. God Expects Us To Carefully Obey Him.
1 Peter 4:11a If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.
Genesis 4, Cain and Abel
Deuteronomy 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.

5. God Expects Us To Carefully Obey Him.
Joshua 1:6-7
John 8:31-32, 8:51
1 Corinthians 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.

6. God Expects Us To Carefully Obey Him.
1 Timothy 6:3-4a  If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. (ESV)
2 John 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

7. God Expects Us To Carefully Obey Him.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Romans 14:23b …for whatever is not from faith is sin.

8. Three Principles About God’s Silence
God expects careful obedience.
God’s silence means we must NOT.
This is a fundamental rule of communication.

9. Silence does not equal permission.
Ever receive an invitation to a party?
Did a doctor ever write you a prescription?
Ever read plans for a house?
Ever cook from a recipe?

10. Silence Doesn’t Constitute Authority
Hebrews 7:11-14
The Levitical priesthood was not sufficient. Another, according to the order of Melchizedec, was prophesied, and it came. 
Since the law of Moses authorized and recognized only the priesthood "according to the order of Aaron,” the existence of the priesthood of Christ logically demands "of necessity there is also a change of the law." 
Psalm 110

11. Silence Doesn’t Constitute Authority
Hebrews 7:11-14
Why?
Moses only spoke of a priesthood from the tribe of Levi.
Christ came from the tribe of Judah. 
Consequently, if a new priesthood exists (and it does), then a new law also exists, since Moses "spoke nothing" (was silent) about priests from another tribe. 

12. Three Principles About God’s Silence
God expects careful obedience.
God’s silence means we must NOT.
We have some liberty.
An invitation that doesn’t specify the dress code leaves some liberty.
“Take once a day” leaves some liberty.

13. We Have Some Liberty. How many psalms, hymns or spiritual songs
Which psalms, hymns or spiritual songs
Unison or 4 part harmony

14. Specific vs. Generic Authority
Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
“Go” gives us generic authority to travel.
We may use any lawful means to do so.
“Preach the gospel” gives us specific authority for the message.
Specific authority eliminates all other possibilities.

15. Instruments Are Not An Aid.
Genesis 6:14 – Build the ark of gopherwood.
Saws, hammers, chisels – aids
Oak, pine, cedar – not aids, different kinds of wood
Aids for singing – song books, pitch pipes, song leader
Mechanical instruments create a different kind of music than the one specified by God.

16. Three Principles About God’s Silence
God expects careful obedience.
God’s silence means we must NOT.
We have some liberty.
We must not be children tossed too and fro with every wind of doctrine. Ephesians 4:11-16