1. A Study of Authority - 4 Does Silence Give Authority?

2. The Bible and Silence Silence – when God says nothing! Does it prohibit or does it give permission? Colossians 3:17

3. The Bible and Silence 2 Tim. 3:16,17 1 Corinthians 4:6 2 John 9 1 Peter 4:11

4. The Bible and Silence Deut. 12:32 Deut. 4:1-2 Rev. 22:18-19 Deut. 29:29, “The secret things belong to the Lord”

5. The Bible and Silence Deut. 12:32 Deut. 4:1-2 Rev. 22:18-19 Deut. 29:29, “The secret things belong to the Lord” Does God know how to communicate what He expects?

6. Example of Silence Numbers 9 Moses and 2 nd Passover. Num. 9:8, “And Moses said to them, “Stand still, that I may hear what the L ORD will command concerning you.”

7. Example of Silence Leviticus 10:1-2 Nadab and Abihu, killed for authorizing strange fire. Where God gives POSITIVE instruction, everything else is forbidden!

8. Example of Silence 1 Chronicles 13:7-10 Ark transported toward Jerusalem by a new cart. Uzzah was killed for trying to steady the ark. God had specified HOW the ark was to be transported – Numbers 4:15

9. Example of Silence Matthew 15:1-2 Disciples of Jesus questioned for not washing hands (ceremonially) By traditions they made the commands of God of no effect Matt. 15:3

10. Example of Silence Acts 15:1, 5 Men of Judea said Gentiles had to be circumcised. Examining the evidence, no they did not! Vs. 24, “to whom we gave no such commandment”

11. Example of Silence Hebrews 7:14 Of the priesthood of Jesus it is noted, He was of the tribe of Judah, “of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood” Consider 2 Chron. 26:16-20 – King Uzziah

12. Silence today! Instrumental music Some say, “IT doesn’t say we cannot do it.” But God did give POSITIVE instructions Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16

13. Silence today! Baptism - mode Word means “immerse” Some argue, “but God didn’t say we could not sprinkle or pour” He didn’t need to! POSITIVE instructions limit how we do it

14. Silence today! Baptism – who? Must be a believer (mature, accountable Acts 2:37, 16:31- 33, 8:12, etc. To say, “God did not say infants should not be baptized” is invalid. Even arguing for “households” is invalid.

15. Silence today! When we eat the Lord’s Supper Acts 20:7 First day of the week NOT Thursday, etc. He did not have to say, “no other day”.

16. Silence today! The work of the church LIMITED in its scope To add to its purpose because God did not say we could not is NOT proper authority!

17. Silence today! Organization of the church Local and autonomous; elders are local! God is silent to organizations larger than the local church.

18. Silence is NOT a valid way to establish authority! Do NOT gamble with your soul over what God did NOT say!