Permission or Prohibition

When the Bible doesn’t say

• How do we decide an issue not mentioned in the New Testament?– Two choices• If God doesn’t say “Don’t”, then we can

• If God doesn’t say “Do”, then we can’t

– The difference is not minor• Here are a couple examples

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!

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 13:17). 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 ...

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

Following the “Logic”

• Could we make Groundhog Day a religious holiday?– NT doesn’t 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?

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, it’s a liberty

• If something he opposes, it’s prohibited

• But does God grant us the right to use silence as permission?

Acting without orders• Lev 10:1-3– God had not said anything about the firepans yet

• “which He had not commanded them”– Lev 8:4, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 29, 34, 35, 36; 9:6, 7, 10

• He would specify their use in Lev 16:12ff

– Without a command to include them in worship, their use was PROHIBITED• Any act without orders denies God’s holiness

• Any act without orders dishonors God

• No excuses sought or accepted

Acting without orders

• 1 Sam 15– 2-3 – the orders– 8-9 – the actions– 19-23 – the discussion• Saul thought he had carried out God’s

command by killing all except Agag (20)–He tries to blame the people for other things,

but that’s 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

Acting without orders

• Acts 8:18-24– 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 15:24– “we gave no instruction”• SILENCE did NOT give PERMISSION

What are our orders?

• Matt 28:20– Teach all that HAS been commanded

• Col 3:17– Do all “in the name of the Lord”• With the authority of the Lord

• 1 Cor 4:6– Don’t go beyond (exceed) what is written

• 2 Thes 2:15– Stand firm in what has been taught

What if we act without orders?

• Gal 1:6-9– Guilty of desertion– Accursed

• Isa 8:20“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 30:5-6– Reproved and proved a liar

• Matt 7:21-23– Not according to God’s will = SIN

2 Tim 3:16-17 & 2 Peter 1:3

• 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!

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 God’s word claims we can only choose when God specifically gives us a choice–When there is silence there is no choice

Conclusion

• God hasn’t 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!”