When Silence means “No”

 

Silence of the Scriptures, Part 2

 

Introduction

A mother is about to bake a cake. She sends her 18-year-old son to the store to buy a gallon of milk. She hands him a ten-dollar bill and tells him she wants the change when he returns.

The son heads to the store and then returns 20 minutes later with the gallon of milk, a 2-liter bottle of soda, and 3 candy bars. Dutifully, he hands his mother the milk and change. Upon seeing the change, she asks him why he bought more than the milk. His response, “You didn’t say I couldn’t buy them.”

How often do people have that same approach to religion? A lot may deny it, but when you see their practice, it becomes very obvious. People do more or differently than what the scriptures teach.

 

Bible Examples

Build yourself an Ark—In Genesis 6:12-14 we see the story of Noah and the building of the ark, So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. Now suppose Noah decided to build the door in the ark out of oak as it had a better quality to it. Would God accept it? And the answer is “No”. Just because He didn’t say Noah couldn’t use oak doesn’t give him to authority to go ahead and use it. Noah built it specifically to God’s instructions.

Offering Profane (Strange) Fire—We should be familiar with the story of Nadab and Abihu from Leviticus 10:1-3, Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.'" So Aaron held his peace. Why was the fire considered strange of profane? Because it wasn’t taking from the place that God had commanded. In Ex. 30:1-9, we see God giving command on the construction of the Altar of Incense. This is where they were to get their fire. What was so magical or special about the fire? Absolutely nothing! It’s no different from a cooking fire or torch fire. The difference lies in God’s command of where to get that fire.

 

Examples Today

Celebrating the birth of Christ—Any time you speak to someone who is religious, they’ll mention celebrating Christmas as the birth of Christ. Yet, there is nothing in the scriptures that commands us to do so. We don’t even know when Jesus was actually born (month/year). However, when this is brought to their attention, people will say, “I know it’s not in the bible, but I’m going to do it anyway.” Essentially, people are saying, “This is how I’m going to worship God and He is going to accept it!” True, people will deny this but it is what they are doing. When you go outside the scriptures (1 Cor. 4:6); even if it seems harmless to you, you are still violating God’s word and His command.

The Use of Mechanical Instruments—We’ve discussed this subject before but we’ll look at it again. In Ephesians 5:19 Paul writes, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Even though we are commanded to sing, people are intent on adding a piano, guitar, organ, or some other mechanical instrument as an accompaniment. People will defer to Ps. 150 as justification to use of these instruments. However, this is part of the Old Law and if we allow for this, then we have to allow for animal sacrifice, drink and grain offerings, etc.

If mechanical instruments are allowed in the worship assembly, then all individuals would be commanded to play one. You can’t simply put a piano in the service; ALL members would have to play a piano. As all are commanded to sing, all would be commanded to play.

 

Conclusion

Contrary to what people think, there are times when the silence of the scriptures means “no” or “you can’t”. In our next part, we’ll look at when the silence is a gray area. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:6, …that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. We must abide by the scriptures to worship God as He commands us.