Permission or Prohibition

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Silence

• Permission or Prohibition

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When the Bible doesnt say

• How do we decide an issue not mentioned in the
  New Testament?
• Two choices
• If God doesnt say Dont, then we can
• If God doesnt say Do, then we cant
• The difference is not minor
• Here are a couple examples

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A letter from Gary M.

• First and foremost, we must see that there is a
  fundamental difference in the hermeneutics (this
  is the interpretation of Scripture) between the
  two groups. The non-instrumental brethren see the
  silence of the Scripture to be prohibition. If
  the Scriptures do not have a thus saith the
  Lord on a subject, then, to this group, we must
  not do it. They feel that the New Testament says
  nothing about instruments, therefore, they should
  be refused in worship. We, within the Christian
  Church , use a hermeneutic that says for the
  most part, if there is silence in Scripture, we
  can use liberty on the subject. If the Scripture
  does not say thou shalt use an instrument in
  worship, we find this a liberty. We can use it
  or not use it. This is the underlying cause for
  our differences today in the instrumental issue.
  You must see this clearly before you can talk
  about this further. This is a must to see!

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A letter from James J.

• I have no problem with a church building having
  any or all of the above a long list which
  included kitchens and dining halls. You,
  however, believe that anything we put into
  practice must have a thus saith the Lord. I say
  we are permitted to have all of the above because
  they have absolutely nothing to do regarding our
  salvation. ... My point is, God gives the
  leadership of the local church the latitude to
  decide or make decisions in discretionary or
  judgmental matters (Hebrews 1317). It is fine
  for brethren to choose not to have a dining
  facility. It is, however, a false position when
  brethren, who do not have a dining facility, try
  to elevate their opinion to the level of law.
  Again, it is an opinion or judgment call because
  the Bible does not deal with having or not having
  dining facilities ...

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Similarities

• Both state that their position on the issues
  (instruments, dining halls, kitchens, etc.) are
  NOT found in the Bible
• Both complain that their opponents demand a thus
  saith the Lord which they feel is unnecessary
• Both find PERMISSION to implement practices when
  the Scriptures are SILENT

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Following the Logic

• Could we make Groundhog Day a religious holiday?
• NT doesnt mention either Groundhog Day or
  religious holidays
• Christmas, Easter, etc are also not mentioned
• What about Catholic practices?
• Papacy, rosary, confessionals, priesthood,
  incense, infant baptism, candles, altars, etc
• None are mentioned as part of NT worship
• Does that mean we have the liberty to implement
  them if we choose to do so?

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Recognizing Limitations

• In Gary M.s letter
• for the most part, if there is silence in
  Scripture, we can use liberty on the subject
• Wants it both ways
• If something he wants, its a liberty
• If something he opposes, its prohibited
• But does God grant us the right to use silence as
  permission?

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Acting without orders

• Lev 101-3
• God had not said anything about the firepans yet
• which He had not commanded them
• Lev 84, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 29, 34, 35, 36 96,
  7, 10
• He would specify their use in Lev 1612ff
• Without a command to include them in worship,
  their use was PROHIBITED
• Any act without orders denies Gods holiness
• Any act without orders dishonors God
• No excuses sought or accepted

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Acting without orders

• 1 Sam 15
• 2-3 the orders
• 8-9 the actions
• 19-23 the discussion
• Saul thought he had carried out Gods command by
  killing all except Agag (20)
• He tries to blame the people for other things,
  but thats a different lesson
• God had NOT said Kill the king SILENCE
• So perhaps Saul felt he had PERMISSION
• God calls it rebellion, insubordination and
  rejection of His words

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Acting without orders

• Acts 818-24
• There was no command saying not to offer money to
  acquire gifts
• It was a common practice among magicians
• SILENCE did NOT give PERMISSION
• Acts 1524
• we gave no instruction
• SILENCE did NOT give PERMISSION

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What are our orders?

• Matt 2820
• Teach all that HAS been commanded
• Col 317
• Do all in the name of the Lord
• With the authority of the Lord
• 1 Cor 46
• Dont go beyond (exceed) what is written
• 2 Thes 215
• Stand firm in what has been taught

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What if we act without orders?

• Gal 16-9
• Guilty of desertion
• Accursed
• Isa 820
• To the law and to the testimony! If they do not
  speak according to this word, it is because there
  is no light in them.
• Prov 305-6
• Reproved and proved a liar
• Matt 721-23
• Not according to Gods will SIN

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2 Tim 316-17 2 Peter 13

• God has given us everything pertaining to life
  and godliness
• If it has not been given to us in Scripture, then
• It is not related to godliness
• It does not pertain to a godly life
• It is not a good work
• In other words, it is SIN!

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Choice

• The Greek word for choice is haireisis
• The English transliteration is heresy
• Many claim we can CHOOSE what to do when God is
  silent
• But Gods word claims we can only choose when God
  specifically gives us a choice
• When there is silence there is no choice

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Conclusion

• God hasnt talked about
• instrumental music in worship
• church kitchens
• church dining halls
• church sports teams
• church sponsored businesses, etc.
• How should we view His silence?
• As a resounding NO!

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