THE SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES
(WHEN SILENCE SPEAKS LOUDLY)
-Introduction
-Quick review of previous lessons:
-God’s patterns - God has established patterns for order and cohesiveness. They are
authoritative and binding. We must conform to them.
-God’s pattern for N.T. worship.
-Lord’s Supper - when instituted, when to partake, emblems, purpose, etc.
-Crucifixion - reminder of how much Jesus suffered for us
-Singing - Sing to God and to one another. God has specified singing. Therefore, all
other options are eliminated.
-catalog example
-Singing is an issue of authority.
-In this morning’s lesson, we’ll consider the silence of the scriptures. I think we’ll see that the
silence of the scriptures speaks loudly and helps us to determined what is and isn’t authorized.
-Let’s begin by looking in the book of Hebrews.
-Remember the overall theme of Hebrews – Jesus and the Gospel are superior, preeminent to
Moses and the Law. There are a number of ways the writer of Hebrews demonstrates this,
including appeals to silence.
-Hebrew Examples
-Heb 7:11-17
-vs 14 – “of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood”
-What is the point? Since nothing was said of those from the tribe of Judah serving as priests,
they were unauthorized to do so.
-Deut 17:9, 18; 18:1; Num 1:50-51
-The point: We know from the standpoint of silence, that not even Jesus could have served as
a priest under the Law. Therefore, there had to be a change of Law (Heb 7:12)
because Jesus is our High Priest (Heb 4:14). Silence speaks loudly.
-Heb 1:1-5
-In this passage, the focus is on showing that Jesus is higher than the angels. To do so, the
writer appeals to silence.
-vs 5 – “For unto which of the angels said he at any time…” – The point is…He didn’t.
-This was only said in regards to Jesus. (Ps 2:6-7, Acts 13:33, Heb 5:5)
-Jesus is higher than the angels because God never said this to an angel – silence.
-Again, silence speaks loudly.
-Nadab and Abihu
-Perhaps one of the best known accounts of silence speaking loudly is Lev 10 - Nadab & Abihu.
-vs 1 – “which God commanded them not”
-NAS – “which He had not commanded them”
-God had specified the manner and method in which offerings were to be made to Him.
-He said nothing about the manner in which Nadab and Abihu made their offering. Therefore,
it was unauthorized.
-NIV – “and they offered unauthorized fire”
-Note the results. It was unauthorized and therefore unacceptable to God.
-Rom 15:4 - And again, silence speaks loudly.
-Silence – Permissive or Prohibitive?
-Col 3:17
-Some say that silence authorizes us to make our own determinations – permissive.
-I think these previous passages show that the silence restricted that authority – prohibitive.
-However, there are instances in which silence is permissive:
-Heb 10:25, Acts 20:7 – We are to gather together but it is not specified where – a building,
a house, a barn….? – permissive
-Acts 20:7 specifies the day of the week when we are to worship but not the time.
-Eph 5:19, Col 3:16 – We are to sing. With songbooks? Songs we have memorized? All
four stanzas or just the 1st, 2nd and last?
-I hope we can see the difference. When God specifies one thing and is silent toward all else, that
silence is prohibitive.
-“Thou are my Son…” (Heb 1:5) was specifically spoken to Jesus.
-The role of priests was specified to the Levites, not those of Judah.
-The specific instructions for offerings were given. Nadab and Abihu didn’t follow them.
-What if Heb 10:25 said, “Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together at the church
building at 10:00 a.m. where you sing out of songbooks”? We would then have some more
specific instructions and all other silence would be prohibitive.
-Singing
-Eph 5:19, Col 3:16
-Here God specifies that we are to sing with “melody in [our] hearts to the Lord”.
-So, where is there any authority given for the use of mechanical instruments in worship?
-There is not a verse in the New Testament scriptures which authorizes New Testament
Christians to use mechanical instruments in worship here on Earth.
-God has specified “singing”. Therefore, the NT silence is prohibitive.
-Therefore, based upon the pattern set form in the scriptures in regards to silence, we can know
wholeheartedly that the use of mechanical instruments in worship is unauthorized and therefore
unacceptable.
-Summary and Invitation
-Col 3:17
-Deut 4:2, Prov 30:5-6, Rev 22:18-19
-We must strive to abide by that which God has authorized.
-Hopefully, this lesson has helped you to realize the very important role of silence.
-Indeed, silence speaks loudly.
-Just think of all the different forms of worship being taught and practiced around the world.
-So much of what is done under the label of worship is in violation of the principle of silence.
-God has specified what He wants. Any additions violate the silence of the scriptures.
-And, think about how many different teachings there are in terms of the plan of salvation.
-Let’s see what God’s word specifies:
-Believe (John 8:24, John 3:16), Confess (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), Repent (Acts 2:38,
Luke 13:3,5), Be Baptized (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Gal 3:26-29)
-We are then to walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4) putting off the old ways of sin and putting
on the new ways of obedience to God’s word (Eph 4:22-24).
-Is that what you have done and/or continue to do?
Date: January 8, 2006