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A Study of Authority - 4. Does Silence Give Authority?. The Bible and Silence. Silence – when God says nothing! Does it prohibit or does it give permission? Colossians 3:17. The Bible and Silence. 2 Tim. 3:16,17 1 Corinthians 4:6 2 John 9 1 Peter 4:11. The Bible and Silence.
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A Study of Authority - 4 Does Silence Give Authority?
The Bible and Silence • Silence – when God says nothing! • Does it prohibit or does it give permission? • Colossians 3:17
The Bible and Silence • 2 Tim. 3:16,17 • 1 Corinthians 4:6 • 2 John 9 • 1 Peter 4:11
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”
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?
Example of Silence • Numbers 9 • Moses and 2nd Passover. • Num. 9:8,“And Moses said to them, “Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.”
Example of Silence • Leviticus 10:1-2 • Nadab and Abihu, killed for authorizing strange fire. • Where God gives POSITIVE instruction, everything else is forbidden!
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
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 effectMatt. 15:3
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”
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
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
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
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.
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”.
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!
Silence today! • Organization of the church • Local and autonomous; elders are local! • God is silent to organizations larger than the local church.
Silence is NOT a valid way to establish authority! Do NOT gamble with your soul over what God did NOT say!