Authority: Silence of the Scriptures
Bible study on Authority: Silence of the Scriptures.

1 Pet. 4:11

We must speak (and therefore do) what God has instructed us to do in His word.

Note: If God has not authorized something by a specific command, an unspecific command requiring an expedient, an apostolic example or an inference from a command or apostolic example, He has been silent.

Col. 3:17

Our words and actions must be in the name (i.e., by the authority) of Jesus Christ; therefore we only have authority for the things revealed in God's word. We must obey Jesus (Heb. 5:9).

1 Cor. 4:6

We cannot think beyond what is written; therefore we cannot do anything that has not been authorized in God's word.

Rev. 22:18-19

We cannot add or take from God's word; therefore we cannot do anything that has not been authorized in God's word (cf. Deut. 4:1-2).

Heb. 7:11-14

The apostle Paul understood that God's silence was not authoritative. Paul uses the fact that God's silence is not authoritative to prove that God had to change the law before Jesus could be High Priest.

Acts 15:24

Men understand that silence is not authoritative. The apostles and elders wrote a letter to the Gentiles stating that the false teaching regarding keeping of the Mosaic Law had not come from them. This was evidenced by the fact that they had given "no such commandment" - i.e., they had been silent.

To live by faith, we must respect God's silence.

Noah obeyed by faith and built the ark (Heb. 11:7). If Noah would have done things not authorized in God's command, he would not have obeyed by faith.

Abraham obeyed by faith and offered up Isaac (Heb. 11:17-19). If Abraham would have done things not authorized in God's command, he would not have obeyed by faith.

Moses obeyed by faith and kept the Passover (Heb. 11:28). If Moses would have done things not authorized in God's command, he would not have obeyed by faith.

Whenever God's silence is not respected, the transgressors are punished.

God was silent regarding striking the rock (Num. 20:7-12). When Moses struck the rock, he transgressed God's command (silence) and was punished.

God was silent regarding moving the ark on a cart and a person touching it to keep it from falling off a cart (1 Ch. 13:9-10). When Uzzah touched the ark, he transgressed God's command (silence) and was punished.

God was silent regarding Saul offering the sacrifice (1 Sam. 13:1-15). When Saul offered the sacrifice, he transgressed God's command (silence) and was punished.