A STUDY OF AUTHORITY

Lesson 5 (Part 3)

The Silence Of The Scriptures

(Presentations are basically an adaptation of material found in Billy W. Moore’s classbook, A Study of Authority)

Silence of the Scriptures Grant Permission or Set

Limits?

Silence of the Scriptures

The Silence Of God Is As Sacred As His Revealed Will !

Silence of the Scriptures

Deuteronomy 29:29 … “The secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

Silence of the Scriptures

Two Approaches:

1. Whatever God has revealed in His word constitutes authority, i.e. Where the Bible is silent we must be silent …

2. Whatever God in His word has not expressly and specifically forbidden gives freedom to act, i.e. Where the Bible is silent, we are at liberty to act as we think best …

Silence of the Scriptures

Two Approaches Illustrated In Church History.

Reformation movement.

1. Martin Luther, the great German reformer, felt that we were at liberty to do anything not expressly forbidden.

2. Ulrich Zwingle, the great Swiss reformer, felt that only that which is expressly authorized should be taught and practiced.

Silence of the Scriptures

Two Approaches Illustrated In Church History.

Restoration movement.

The expression, "we speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent" was a famous expression during the early 19th century.

a. Compare: "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." 1 Peter 4:11

b. Those who held forth this claim felt that we could only do that which God authorized.

Silence of the Scriptures

Two Approaches Illustrated In Church History.

These Attitudes Were Involved In The Division Of The Nineteenth Century.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) adopted the view: we speak where the Bible speaks, where the Bible is silent we have liberty, thus freedom to act as we think best.

Silence of the Scriptures

These Attitudes Were Involved In The Division Of The Nineteenth Century.

Christian Church accepted the missionary society and mechanical instruments of music, even though neither is authorized in the New Testament.Later, state-wide organization, trained choirs, "fellowship-

halls", chicken dinners, etc., all on the same basis... i.e., the Bible doesn't say not to have them, or the silence of the scripture.

They contended that the Lord told us to preach the gospel but he did not say how, so we can use the missionary society. Cf. OTEY-BRINEY DEBATE, pages 169 and 174. (See Note on J.B. Briney before his death. Gospel Guardian, Aug. 4, 1955)

The Authority of Christ

Complete – Matthew 28:18; 2 Timothy 3:16ff

Necessary – Colossians 3:17 Inspired Scripture – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Established by: (Acts 15:7-19)

Direct statement (command / precept)Apostolic approved exampleNecessary inference

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Silence of the Scriptures

"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." 1 Peter 4:11

Silence Sets Limits

Bible Authority – Bible Pattern

“See … that you make all things according to the pattern …” (Hebrews 8:5)

“Hold the pattern of sound words …”(2 Timothy 1:13)

“Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk, even as ye have us for an ensample.” (Philippians 3:17)

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“But it doesn’t say

not to!”

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Silence of the Scriptures

Silence Sets Limits

Moving the ark of the covenant – Numbers 4:1-6, 15; 7:9Levites (Kohathites), on their shoulders

King David moves ark to Jerusalem – 1 Chronicles 13:1-8 [1 Samuel 6:7, 11; 7:1]Preparations, 13:1-4Death of Uzza, 13:5-10

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Silence Sets LimitsGod’s displeasure – 1 Chronicles 13:9-

14“Error” (2 Samuel 6:7)Why was God angry:

○ Why? (13:2-3) Who? (13:4) How? (13:7)Was God angry with David’s attitude of

heart? (13:8)Was God angry with Uzza’s good

intention? (13:9-10)15

Silence Sets LimitsDid not follow God’s pattern for moving

the ark! – 1 Chronicles 15:2, 13“…because we did not consult Him

about the proper order” (15:13)○ No one may carry ark but Levites (15:2)○ Levites bore it on poles “as Moses had

commanded according to the word of the Lord” (15:15)

Then, God helped them! (15:26)

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Silence Sets LimitsAdding to what God has said violates the

principle of silence (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18)What God says is what He wants … the

way He wants it … and all He wants!Silence is not permission to act, it

restrains us from acting (Hebrews 8:5)Silence sets the boundaries within which

we may act (Acts 15:24)17

God’s JudgmentsNadab and Abihu (Leviticus 8:36; 9:2-

24; 10:1-2)Had been following pattern, Leviticus 8-

9Offered “strange fire”, Leviticus 10:1-2

○ “Which He had not commanded them”(cf. Leviticus 6:12-13; 16:12)

God’s judgment: Death18

God’s JudgmentsSaul & the Amalekites (1 Samuel

15)The command & the disobedience,

15:3, 9, 11Saul’s rationalization, 15:13-15, 21God’s explanation, 15:22-23

God’s judgment: Rebellion! Rejected as king 19

God’s Judgments

Priestly tribe (Hebrews 7:11-14)Levitical priesthood, 7:11Order of Aaron, 7:11

○None from Judah officiated at altar, 7:13○Moses, by saying “Levi,” was silent about

priests from Judah, 7:14

God’s judgment: Only Levi

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God’s JudgmentsJudaizers (Acts 15:1, 24; Gal. 2:5)

Argument was:Circumcision + gospel = Salvation, 15:5No commandment given, 15:24

○Silent!

God’s judgment: Subverting souls!

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Adding To God’s Silence

Music in worship (Ephesians 5:19)Sing + Play = Beyond Christ’s authority!

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Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9; 2 Timothy 1:13

Adding To God’s Silence

How to baptize (Romans 6:4)Immerse + Sprinkle = Beyond Christ’s authority!“Dip” (cf. Luke 16:24; John 13:26)

bapto (bap'-to); a primary verb; to overwhelm, i.e. cover wholly with a fluid; in the N. T. only in a qualified or specially, sense, i.e. (literally) to moisten (a part of one's person), or (by implication) to stain (as with dye) (Strong’s)

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Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9; 2 Timothy 1:13

Adding To God’s Silence

Subject of baptism (Mark 16:16; Mt. 28:18ff)Adult believer + Infant = Beyond Christ’s authority!

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Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9; 2 Timothy 1:13

Adding To God’s Silence

When to eat Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7)Sunday + Thursday = Beyond Christ’s authority!

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Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9; 2 Timothy 1:13

Adding To God’s Silence

Many more examples…Spiritual work of local church + SocialAutonomous churches + SponsoringMen preachers + Women preachers

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Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9; 2 Timothy 1:13

Respect God’s Silence

Do not add to what God has said Abide in the doctrine of Christ Hold fast the pattern of sound words

Salvation & fellowship with God hangs in the balance!

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Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9; 2 Timothy 1:13