“ It Doesn’t Say Not To ” S TUDY S ILENCE OF G OD Is “God’s Silence” Part of His Authority?

“It Doesn’t Say Not To” STUDY SILENCE OF

GOD

Is “God’s Silence” Part of His Authority?

Two Possible Sources—Matthew 21:25

From Heaven or Men?

DIVINE: HUMAN:

Two Attitudes Concerning “Silence of the Scriptures” in

the Reformation Movement

• “Where the Bible is silent, where God has not spoken, we are at liberty to act as we think best. Thus, silence gives freedom to act.”–Martin Luther, Great

German Reformer

Two Attitudes Concerning “Silence of the Scriptures” in

the Reformation Movement

• “Where the Bible is silent we must be silent. We can only do those things which the Lord has authorized.”– Ulrich Zwingle, Great

Swiss Reformer

Two Attitudes Concerning “Silence of the Scriptures” in

the Restoration Movement

• “Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; and where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.”– Thomas Campbell,

Great Restoration Reformer

•Compare-- 1 Peter 4:11

“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the

oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God

supplies, that in all things God may be

glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong

the glory and the dominion forever and

ever. Amen.”

1 PETER 4:11

Two Attitudes Involved “Silence of the Scriptures” in

the Division of 19th Century

• Missionary Society, Instrumental Music, State-wide organizations, trained choirs, chicken dinners, ice cream socials, women preachers, established clergy, etc.– Christian Church

(Disciples): Silence Permissive

Two Attitudes Involved “Silence of the Scriptures” in

the Division of 19th Century

• Innovations rejected as the pattern in the New Testament was sought to follow strictly.– Churches of Christ

Silence Restrictive

Two Attitudes Involved “Silence of the Scriptures” in

the Church Today…

• “We do many things for which we have no authority.”

• New Hermeneutics, reject pattern theology

• Gospel/Doctrine distinction– Liberal Thinking

Permissive

Two Attitudes Involved “Silence of the Scriptures” in

the Church Today…

• “Who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” (Hebrews 8:5)

• Conservative Thinking Restrictive

• Permissive:–“If God doesn’t say I can’t, then I

can.”• Prohibitive:

–“If God doesn’t say I can, then I can’t.” We need to make sure that we

are handling accurately the Word of God – we must know

whether God’s silence is permissive or prohibitive.

Two Different Attitudes Toward “Silence of God”

• Bible does not always spell out all the details concerning a matter–Sometimes God will tell us WHAT

to do, but does not tell us HOW, WHEN or WHERE to do it

EXAMPLE:

“Go preach the gospel”(walk, run, ride, etc.?)

What Does The Bible say about the “Silence of God?”

EXAMPLE:(Abraham & Isaac)“…go to the land of Moriah, and

offer him there as a burnt offering on

one of the mountains which I

shall tell you”Genesis 22:2, 6

(wood, fire, knife?)

• Old Testament–Son of an Israelite woman

blasphemed• Leviticus 24:10-12

–Man picking up sticks on the Sabbath• Numbers 15:32-36They did NOT

presume it was right to act upon

God’s silence

How God’s People Have Reacted Toward the Silence of God

• Jesus’ attitude toward the Pharisees’ traditions–Mark 7:7-9

The Pharisees bound several things as religious

observances that God had not bound. God was SILENT

concerning those things!

How God Reacted Toward Those Who Did Not Listen To His Silence

Colossians 3:17

Whatsoever ye do in word

or deed, doall in the

name of the Lord Jesus...

The Comprehensive Nature of The New

Testament Scriptures

Understandable – Ephesians 3:3-5

Sufficiently Instructs - 2 Timothy 3:16,17

Cannot Be Transgressed – 2 John 9

Must We Establish Authority For All We Do?

INTRODUCTION

Science of Interpretat

ion

The Inductive MethodThe Inductive Method

This method is the compilation of all references to the subject under consideration, including direct

statements, approved actions, and necessary implications.

When all the evidence is compiled and sifted through using the laws of communication, including contextual

considerations, then the true meaning and the current application

can be arrived at.

How Do We Identify That Which Is Authorized By the Bible?

• Must respect God’s Word– Jews under the law of Moses:

“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land

which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word

which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the

LORD your God which I command you.”

Deuteronomy 4:1-2

• Must respect God’s Word– Jews under the law of Moses:

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe

to do according to all the law which Moses My servant

commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper

wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:7

• Must respect God’s Word– Jews under the law of Moses:

“Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and

you be found a liar.”

Proverbs 30:6

• Must respect God’s Word– Christians under the gospel of Jesus

Christ:

“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. If anyone

comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares

in his evil deeds.”

2 John 9-11

• Must respect God’s Word– Christians under the gospel of Jesus

Christ:

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If

anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of

Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book..”

Revelation 22:18,19

SILENCE OF GOD

• Respect for God’s Word demands a certain attitude toward God’s silence.– If a contractor cannot

find something on the blueprint what does he do?

–NOTHING!!!!

Cain – (Genesis 4:7) – Hebrews 11:4

Nadab and Abihu – (Leviticus 10:1,2)

Moses – (Numbers 20:8-24)

King Saul – (1 Samuel 13 & 15)

David’s ox cart – (1 Chronicles 13:7-12; 15:2)

Jeroboam – (1 Kings 12:25-33)

Uzziah – (2 Chronicles 26:16-23)

Cain – (Genesis 4:7) – Hebrews 11:4

Nadab and Abihu – (Leviticus 10:1,2)

Moses – (Numbers 20:8-24)

King Saul – (1 Samuel 13 & 15)

David’s ox cart – (1 Chronicles 13:7-12; 15:2)

Jeroboam – (1 Kings 12:25-33)

Uzziah – (2 Chronicles 26:16-23)

Does “Silence” Authorize?

BIBLICAL VIEW

James appealed to direct statements. vs. 14-19

Paul referenced how God exemplified His will. v. 12

Peter argued by the implications of what God did. vs. 7-11

The final resolution to the problem was this: to whom we gave no such commandment. v. 24

Silence is prohibitive!

The Settling of an Issue: Acts 15

In order to have a priest from another tribe the Law would have to be changed – silence

was prohibitive!!

Law - Levites Silence – Judah or any other

Hebrews 7:12-1412For the priesthood being changed, of

necessity there is also a change of the law. 13For He of whom these things are spoken

belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.

14For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing

concerning priesthood.

ROMANS 10:17

We Cannot Know the

Mind of God except

Through His Revelation—

1 Corinthians

2:11,14

God Has Revealed All

That He Wants From Us—1 Peter 1:32 Timothy

3:16,17

Walking By Faith Means that We Walk by What God

Has Said!

“For we walk by faith, not

by sight.”

2 CORINTHIAN

S 5:7

“…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.”

1 CORINTHIAN

S 4:6

• Does Silence Authorize?– Biblical View

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to

you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if

anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let

him be accursed.”

Galatians 1:8-9

•The Bible Alone

Mormon

Baptist

Methodist

Christian

“The seed is the Word of God” (Luke 8:11)“The seed is the Word of God” (Luke 8:11)

Denominationalism necessitates different seeds!

•Bible + Methodist Discipline

•Bible + Baptist Manual •Bible + Book of Mormon

Does Silence Authorize?

Men have tampered with the seed!

• That which pleases us – may not please God“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor

are your ways My ways," says the LORD.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and

My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

Only the scripture is able to equip a man unto every

good work 2 Timothy3:16-17

• When God Reveals Specific Instructions—”He Didn’t Say Not

To…”

“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and

spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart

to the Lord.”

Ephesians 5:19

• When God Reveals Specific Instructions—”He Didn’t Say Not

To…”

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the

glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of

life.”

Romans 6:4

• When God Reveals Specific Instructions—”He Didn’t Say Not

To…”

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be

condemned.”

Mark 16:16

• When God Reveals Specific Instructions—”He Didn’t Say Not

To…”

“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.”

Acts 20:7

• When God Reveals Specific Instructions—”He Didn’t Say Not

To…”

“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for

sexual immorality, and marries another, commits

adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits

adultery.”Matthew 19:9

If it did . . . What could be refused?

• Peanut butter on the crackers –

• Piano - Orchestras - rock bands -

• Pagan holiday observances –• Political and other secular

speeches-• Fund raising campaigns -• Social programs –• Recreational activities –• Entertainment centers . . . .

CONCLUSION