1. Does Silence Give or Restrict authority?
New Testament Church 2017

2. The Bible and Silence
Silence means – God says nothing!
Colossians 3:17
2 Timothy 3:16-17
1 Corinthians 4:6 – not to think beyond what is written
2 John 9 - transgress

3. God knows how to communicate His will!
The Bible and Silence
1 Peter 4:11, speak as the oracles of God
God knows how to communicate His will!
Deuteronomy 12:32, do not add or take away
Deuteronomy 29:29, the secret things belong to the Lord our God
Revelation 22:18-19

4. Israel Crossing the Red Sea Observing the 2nd Passover
Examples of Silence
Israel Crossing the Red Sea
Exodus 14:10-14, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD (wait)
Observing the 2nd Passover
Numbers 9:6-7, stand still, that I may hear what the LORD will say (wait)

5. David building the temple
Examples of Silence
Nadab and Abihu
Leviticus 10:1-2, offered profane fire…which He had not commanded them
David building the temple
2 Samuel 7:1-2, 7 Have I ever spoken a word to anyone …saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’

6. Uzziah offers an unauthorized sacrifice
Examples of Silence
Uzziah offers an unauthorized sacrifice
2 Chronicles 26:16-20, His good intentions did not make it right.
Judaizing teachers
Acts 15:1, 19, “therefore I judge” 24, “to whom we gave no such command”

7. The Priesthood of Jesus
Examples of Silence
The Priesthood of Jesus
Hebrews 7:14, our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing…

8. Examples Today
Instrumental music. God’s word is SILENT. But He has specified sing, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16

9. Examples Today
Baptism.
Immersion. God’s word is SILENT concerning pouring and sprinkling
Baptism.
For believers Acts 8:37. God’s word is SILENT concerning infants. “Household” (Acts 16:15, 31-34) appealing to silence!

10. Examples Today
The work of the church
Worship, evangelism, spiritual edification and limited benevolence.
God’s word is silent to entertainment and social reform as a work of the church

11. The organization of the church
Examples Today
The organization of the church
Local, independent and autonomous
No earthly headquarters, elders overseeing works greater than a local congregation, etc.

12. When God is silent, we wait!
Concerning silence
When God is silent, we wait!
How long? Until He speaks!
Appealing to silence violates the principles of authority we have addressed

13. Concerning silence
Appealing to silence is acting without faith (presumptuous) Romans 14:22-23, 2 Corinthians 2:5-7
Where will it stop? Appealing to silence opens the floodgates of compromise

14. Appealing to silence can lead others away from the truth
Concerning silence
Appealing to silence can lead others away from the truth
Many assume something is authorized without investigating Matthew 15:9

15. When we appeal to what God does not say…
Concerning silence
When we appeal to what God does not say…
We reason that God doesn’t care how we do something OR He did not sufficiently present what He expects of us.

16. Upon what are you basing your authority?
New Testament Church 2017