A Study ofAuthorit

y“And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:47-48).

A Study ofAuthorit

yLesson 10

Authority and theSilence of Scripture(Presentations are basically an adaptation of material found in Billy W. Moore’s

classbook, A Study of Authority)

Two Attitudes Toward the Silence of Scripture 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

Where the Bible is silent we must be silent. We can do only those things which the Lord authorized. Ulrich Zwingle – Great Swiss Reformer

Two attitudes were present during the Restoration Movement of the 19th

Century “Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; and where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.” ( T. Campbell) Though now in dispute, it is obvious the

restorationists intended to be bound by the silence of scripture!

(History of Reformatory Movements, John F. Rowe, pp. 137-138)

Compare 1 Peter 4:11

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.”

Two attitudes were involved in the division of the Nineteenth Century Christian Church (Disciples): Silence

permissive Missionary Society, Instrumental music,

state-wide organizations, trained choirs, chicken dinners, ice cream socials, women preachers, established clergy, etc.

Churches of Christ: Silence restrictive Innovations rejected as the pattern in

the New testament was followed strictly.

Two attitudes are present among those who claim to follow Christ today as well Liberal thinking.

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

New Hermeneutics, reject pattern theology.

Gospel Doctrine distinction Conservative thinking

“For He said, ‘See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.’” (Heb. 8:5)

Does the Silence of the Scriptures Authorize Anything?

• God must reveal himself to Man• 1 Corinthians 2:9-13

1 Corinthians 2:9-13“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen,

nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God…

1 Corinthians 2:9-13“…12 Now we have received, not

the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

Does the Silence of the Scriptures Authorize Anything?

• God must reveal himself to Man• 1 Corinthians 2:9-13

• Example: We know that God is pleased with preaching, edification & Benevolence• God has revealed it!• But, we don’t know if God is pleased with

entertainment and recreation, because God has not spoken in this. To practice these things is Presumptuous!

Does the Silence of the Scriptures Authorize Anything?

• God must reveal himself to Man• 1 Corinthians 2:9-13

• Example: We know that God is pleased with preaching, edification & Benevolence• God has revealed it!• But, we don’t know if God is pleased with

entertainment and recreation, because God has not spoken in this. To practice these things is Presumptuous!

• An example of Silence in the Bible• Hebrews 7:12-14

Hebrews 7:12-14“For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.”

Silence Does Not Give Consent! Silence Prohibits!

• We are not to think of men above that which is written• 1 Corinthians 4:6• 2 Peter 1:3• 2 Timothy 3:16-17• Revelation 22:18-19

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.”

2 Peter 1:3“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue”

2 Timothy 3:16-17“All Scripture is given by

inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Revelation 22:18-19“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; 19 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.”

Silence Does Not Give Consent! Silence Prohibits!

• We are not to think of men above that which is written• 1 Corinthians 4:6• 2 Peter 1:3• 2 Timothy 3:16-17• Revelation 22:18-19

• We must act with authority from Christ, doing all in his name• Colossians 3:17

Colossians 3:17“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Note: To be “in the name of the Lord Jesus”, the practice must be in accord with His will for man, revealed in Scripture.

Silence Does Not Give Consent! Silence Prohibits!

• We are not to think of men above that which is written• 1 Corinthians 4:6• 2 Peter 1:3• 2 Timothy 3:16-17• Revelation 22:18-19

• We must act with authority from Christ, doing all in his name• Colossians 3:17

• Where the scriptures stop our teaching and practice must stop

Some things which are practiced under the guise of

“The Silence of the Scriptures”• Burning of incense in worship

• Sprinkling for Baptism• Mechanical Instruments of Music in

Worship• Missionary Societies, Benevolent

Societies, Human Institutions or Organizations other than the local church doing the work of the local church

• Extended Oversight of the elders in the local church

ConclusionIn this lesson we have: Established that the Silence of

Scripture is restrictive rather than granting liberty… We must respect what God has said We must respect what God has NOT

said Our attitude toward the silence of the

Scriptures is important

Questions

Lesson 10Authority and the

Silence of the Scripture

?

Question 1 Name the two great Protestant reformers, and

explain their contradictory views toward the silence of scriptures.

• Martin Luther (German)• Silence permits

• Ulrich Zwingle (Swiss)• Silence restricts

Question 2 Quote Thomas Campbell’s statement regarding

the silence of scripture and explain how it compares to 1 Peter 4:11.

“Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; and where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent” (Thomas Campbell)

“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)

Question 3 Name the two religious groups which existed in

America following the 19th century division in the Restoration Movement, and explain their contradictory views toward the silence of scripture.

•Christian Church (Disciples)•Silence permits

•Churches of Christ•Silence restricts

Question 4 Explain the principle regarding the silence of

scripture which is established by Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:9-13.

In order for us to know the mind of God, He must reveal himself to us. It is presumptuous on our part to state that God would be pleased with any particular action without God’s expressed approval of that activity.

Question 5 Explain the principle regarding the silence of

scripture which is established in Hebrews 7:12-14.

“For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood” (Heb. 7:14).We must respect the silence of the scriptures. Silence does not permit, it restricts.