1. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics

3. Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority All 3 Methods Used By 1st Century Christians The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 Judaizers constantly opposed the apostles, their teaching cp. 13:8, 45, 50 14:2, 19 15:1 The issue eventually reached a decisive point… brethren were “troubled” & “unsettled” v. 24

4. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority All 3 Methods Used By 1st Century Christians The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 Established by an Example vv. 7-11 Peter discusses his work among the uncircumcised Gentiles He references his visit with Cornelius vv. 7-10 cp. 10:44-47

5. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority All 3 Methods Used By 1st Century Christians The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 Established by an Example vv. 7-11 The Gentiles had been “saved” v. 11 cp. v. 1 This served as an example of how God had “cleansed the Gentiles by faith” without them submitting to circumcision v. 9

6. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority All 3 Methods Used By 1st Century Christians The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 Established by a Necessary Inference v. 12 Paul & Barnabas discuss their mission work among the uncircumcised, emphasizing the signs & wonders they did cp. 2:4, 43 3:7-10 5:12-16 6:8 8:6 9:32-42

7. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority All 3 Methods Used By 1st Century Christians The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 Established by a Necessary Inference v. 12 Miracles were done among Jews & Gentiles This infers that God was willing to accept the Gentiles without them submitting to circumcision

8. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority All 3 Methods Used By 1st Century Christians The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 Established by a Command vv. 13-18 James reminds everyone what God had earlier spoken through one of the prophets cp. Amos 9:11-12

9. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority All 3 Methods Used By 1st Century Christians The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 Established by a Command vv. 13-18 If God had already spoken about bringing in the Gentiles with no mention of them being circumcised, that settled the issue

10. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 7 Ù Biblical Authority (Part B) Establishing Biblical Authority All 3 Methods Used By 1st Century Christians The Issue Ù Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15 Establishing authority using this “3-approach method” accomplished 2 important things… Ê The controversy was solved v. 19 Ë Unity was produced in the churches v. 31

11. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence The previous material has emphasized the authority of what God has said The following material emphasizes the authority of what God has not said Both of these are equally authoritative In fact, respect is especially shown when God is silent

12. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence A very common question asked whenever God has not spoken re: a matter is “Why can’t we…?” This is basically decided by 2 extremes – Ê God’s silence is permissive Ë God’s silence is prohibitive

13. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence The argument over the “permissiveness” or “prohibitiveness” of God’s silence is not a new debate This debate was had even during the days of the Religious Reformation (15th & 16th centuries)

14. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence A key verse containing a guiding principle in this “debate” is Deut 29:29 What God has said belongs to us What God has not said is a “secret” – belongs to Him This is a principle that even earthly parents understand, employ with their children

15. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence Principles re: God’s silence from the O.T. Israel at the Red Sea Ex 14:10-14 They had to “wait” for God’s answer vv. 13-14 They had already asked the “Why couldn’t we…” questions vv. 11-12 They were eventually told to “Go forward” toward the sea Ù God helps in “bleak” situations This teaches us to “wait” for God’s answer

16. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence Principles re: God’s silence from the O.T. Israel during the Passover Num 9:1-14 They were told to observe the Passover as the Law directed vv. 2-3 A situation arose that was an exception vv. 6-7 Moses’ reply, “Wait…I’ll go ask the Lord” v. 8 God made additional provisions re: this situation vv. 10-12

17. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence Principles re: God’s silence from the O.T. Israel at the Red Sea Ex 14:10-14 Israel during the Passover Num 9:1-14 What these examples teach us is that we are not at liberty to act when God is silent on an issue…we must determine His will before doing anything

18. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence Disregarding God’s silence from the O.T. Saul and his offering 1 Sam 13:8-14 Saul reasoned, “People are leaving…Samuel’s not coming…I’d better do something” vv. 8, 11-12 After all, isn’t doing something better than doing nothing? Samuel rebukes the king’s “foolishness” and his “disobedience” v. 13

19. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 8 Ù Respecting God’s Silence Disregarding God’s silence from the O.T. Saul and his offering 1 Sam 13:8-14 The lesson Ù We cannot allow “the moment” to justify doing something God has not authorized God had already given the authorization re: who was to offer sacrifices Num 3:1-10 Did He say anything about a king offering them? What did this “silence” mean?

20. Thematic Studies In Bible Basics