Tag silence

How to know what God Wants pt2

The Preacher 1 Comment

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”  (John 4:24)

One cannot be walking by faith in Christ while offering strange worship God commanded us not. How do we know what God wants? We can answer that question if we will learn how God communicates. He gives DIRECT commands & statements, He gives EXAMPLES, and He IMPLIES things from which we may infer. He also expects us to respect when He is SILENT on a matter.

Last week we looked at the first 2 ways to discover what God wants,

  1. Direct commands & statements.
  2. Approved Examples.

Today we will look at 2 more,

  1. Implications & Necessary Inferences.
  2. Silence, when God gives no command.

Since we’re not to ADD nor TAKE AWAY from His word, we need to understand how He communicates.

III) Implications & Necessary Inferences. (Inescapable conclusions)

One of the ways we communicate is by implying something and we infer from it. Here’s a simple example. When our parents gave us $20 to go to the store to buy bread and milk, it is necessarily inferred that they want the change brought back and we’re not to spend the rest of the money on candy & video games. A lesson my older brother learned quickly.

We all communicate this way. God does too. In Acts 10, Peter saw a vision Acts 10:12, “Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.” The Lord told him to rise, kill, and eat.

After Peter’s refusal because they were unclean, the Lord said, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” Peter would eventually understand the implication, that God had included gentiles as candidates for the gospel. Peter made a necessary inference based on what the Lord had implied through the vision, the events that followed, and His command to preach the gospel to every nation. (Read Acts 10-11; Mark 16:15-16).

Another example of necessary inference is in Acts 8:35-36. “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” All that we read is that Philip preached Jesus, and the Eunuch concludes baptism is commanded. We Necessarily Infer that baptism is included in the preaching of Jesus.

Without a command from God, we do not make any inferences about what God wants.

IV) God commands us not (no command). Silence is not permissive.

This is an answer to the objection, “it doesn’t say not to.” In regard to service rendered to God, human wisdom must not do what God has FORBIDDEN, OMIT what He’s commanded, nor add EXTRA which He has not commanded. To do otherwise is to walk by our own judgment, and not by faith.

Here are several examples which show that where there is no command there is no permission. GOD GAVE NO COMMAND.

  1. Lev 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
  2. Deut 17:3 And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;
  3. Deut 18:20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
  4. Jer 7:22 For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:
  5. Jer 29:23 Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.
  6. Jer 32:35 And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
  7. Acts 15:24 Because we have knowledge that some who went from us have been troubling you with their words, putting your souls in doubt; to whom we gave no such order; (BBE). KJV. we gave no such commandment:

In two other instances we find the same lesson.

  1. 2Sam 7:1-7. David’s desire to build a temple. God asks him where He ever asked for it. 2Sa 7:7 In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
  2. Heb 7:11-14 In explaining the Priesthood of Christ, the writer points out that God never spoke anything about Priests from Judah.
    1. Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

When you say, “God never said not to.” I reply, “God doesn’t need to tell you not to do something when He’s told you specifically what He wants. Where did He ever give the command for it?” If it’s a good enough explanation for God, it’s a good principle for us to use today.

Men are not divided over what the Bible says but what it doesn’t say. We must respect His Silence.

Agape,

Spencer

You can read pt 1 of How to know What God wants here.

Where’s your passage?

The Preacher 1 Comment

“In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?” (2Sam 7:7)

Do you understand what this verse is saying? David had come up with what appeared to be a good idea to build a permanent temple out of cedar. The prophet Nathan agreed that this indeed appeared to be a good idea, even telling him that the LORD agreed that it was a good idea.

“Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee” (2Sam 7:3).

So, here we have this mighty king, a man after God’s own heart, with what appeared to be a good idea, to build God a permanent dwelling place. Reasoning thusly, “I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains” (2Sam 7:2).

We also have a prophet of God in agreement with the King, even asserting that God is also in agreement. However,

…God DID NOT agree that it was a good idea for David to build Him a house of cedar. The way He says it to them is very interesting. He doesn’t say, “No, do not build me a house of Cedar.” Neither does He say, “I didn’t want you to do that, but since you’re very sincere, go ahead anyway.” Some will argue this same way, “where does it say He forbids it?” They also say, “We don’t have a command, but God will accept it because it’s from the sincerity of our heart.”

Here’s how God answers David. “In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?”

In effect, God asks, “Where is your scripture for your good idea?”

When I ask this question of folks, they respond with some version that they don’t need a scripture. “Look at the results,” they say. “Look at how much good we’ve done.” If 2Samuel 7:7 did not exist, I may have to agree with them. But it does exist, and there are other such passages.

Look at this example in Acts 15. “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment” (Act 15:24).

Here we see the same type of discussion. The converted Jews had the “good idea” that gentiles must become circumcised, and keep the Law of Moses to become Christians. The problem with that “good idea” was that there was no command for it. Both David, and the Christian Jews of the 1st century had come up with “good ideas” from the SILENCE of God. James points out to them that the SILENCE of God prohibits action, not allow it.

Another example in Hebrews says, “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood” (Heb 7:14).

The SILENCE on a matter prohibited an action. In this case, the LORD had commanded that the Priests under the Law of Moses were to be taken from the tribe of Levi (Ex 28:1-4). Since Jesus was to be a Priest and a King (Heb 5:6), He could not hold that position, for the Law Prohibited it, and Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, something the Law spoke nothing concerning priesthood. Thus, the Law was changed because Christ is both Priest and King (Heb 7:12-13).

From these passages we learn that silence prohibits. When we receive a specific command from God, it prohibits any alteration, addition, or abatement. From these examples we learn 6 things when God is SILENT on a matter.

We are limited to what has been revealed in SCRIPTURE. This is how God communicates to us, through His divine written word (Deut 29:29).

We learn that without a command, there can be no INFERENCES, necessary or otherwise. God’s silence does not IMPLY His permission, it prohibits it.

In Hebrews we learn that we are under the will and testament of Christ. In the LAWS of Contracts & Wills, we are LIMITED to what it says, not given permission by what it does not say (cf. Heb 9:15-17). Think about how difficult it would be to defend a Will if we could change it based on things that are not in it. Could I claim a right to Bill Gates’ will, though I’m not in it? He didn’t say not to include me.

This brings us to the fourth point. If Silence doesn’t limit, then it creates a condition where EVERYTHING is permitted. All we would have to do is say, “God never said I can’t, so I’m going to do it.” It would lead to chaos and confusion. Oh wait, that’s exactly what we see in the denomination realm (cf. 1Cor 14:33).

The reality is, and we understand in other areas, that Silence is NO PERMISSION at all. For example, if you were to order a pepperoni pizza, what does your silence about smoked oysters say? (smoked oysters were a common ingredient in Fairbanks, AK back when I worked in a pizza joint in high school). You would never accept a pizza with smoked oysters when you ordered a pepperoni pizza. Your specific statement and your silence prohibit additional toppings.

Which brings me to the fifth point. We are limited in action when we have a “THUS SAITH THE LORD.” When God specifies something, He need not list all the aberrations. Specific is terrific. We know what He wants. There is another form of His command called Generic commands, in which He gives us liberty to take action He hasn’t specified, but that’s for another article. When we have a specific “Thus saith the LORD” we are limited to the specific statements and commands and cannot alter, add, nor abate His command. Silence prohibits.

–Spencer

“Is it less dishonest to do what is wrong because it is not expressly prohibited by written law? Let us hope our moral principles are not yet in that stage of degeneracy.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Spencer is an evangelist for the church of Christ on Franklin & Juniper in Borger Texas.

Ad Hominem & Personal Attacks pt 4 Campbelite

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We’re addressing how to answer Ad Hominem ATTACKS; Ad Hominem means; in a way that is directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining.

Christians are to expect ATTACKS both personally & physically. “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” [Mark 13:13]

We must always remember not to respond in kind with our own personal attack. This would not be the example that Jesus gave when He responded to His attackers. [1Peter 2:23; Isa 53:7]

The fourth ATTACK sounds like this: “Your method of determining AUTHORITY (Command, Apostolic Example, Necessary Inference and the prohibition of Silence [CENIS]) are made up by Alexander Campbell who is the founder of the church of Christ.”

I’m blending 2 separate attacks into one as they’re related. 150 years ago, until about 30 years ago, the attack focused on calling members of the Lord’s body, ‘CAMBELLITES.’ (this is why we’re putting this as an ad hominem attack) The attack was an attempt to show that the church of Christ in America was founded by Alexander Campbell. This is easily refuted noting that Campbell never sought to START a new denomination, rather that he sought to RESTORE the church we read about in the New Testament. Evidence exists that shows the church of Christ was small but already present in America before A. Campbell was even born!

In more recent years, this argument still exists but focuses on the fourfold pattern of how to determine Scriptural Authority (Command, Apostolic Example, Necessary Inference and the prohibition of Silence [CENIS]). The objectors say that Alexander Campbell invented a new Hermeneutic (a method or theory of interpretation). This short article will show that CENIS is the way people communicate.

HOW WOULD YOU ORDER A PIZZA?

COMMAND. A direct command is to give an authoritative order of what you specifically desire. “I want a pepperoni pizza.” This direct command eliminates all other variety of toppings. When specifying a thing, you automatically eliminate all other unstated options.

EXAMPLE. “one that serves as a pattern to be imitated or not to be imitated.” Miriam-Webster. Another way of saying example is with the word “show.” When ordering a pizza, I can show you a picture or description of it from the menu. This becomes the “approved example.” There may be other examples on the menu, but those are unconnected to the command.

NECESSARY INFERENCE. To infer is what we do when another implies (to express indirectly) in their communications. It’s implied in my ordering a pizza that it will be a round bread, with Italian style sauce and cheese baked in an oven. The remaining toppings to be specified by direct statement. We Necessarily Infer when we have only one option available from the indirect command. We necessarily infer bread, sauce & cheese unless otherwise indicated.

SILENCE. That means absence of direction. When you order a pepperoni pizza, your silence about soup, salad or other items prohibit their inclusion. Would you pay a bill, charging you with extra items for which you didn’t order nor desire? You would very likely REFUSE them altogether. Silence is not a blank check to do whatever you want. “You didn’t say not to” is not a viable excuse.

Some argue that we can do whatever God hasn’t specifically prohibited. Try ordering a pizza by listing all the things you DON’T WANT. People communicate by stating, showing & implying what they DO WANT. Silence prohibits.

If this is wrong, please educate me without Telling me (command), Showing me (example), or Implying (we infer).

Alexander Campbell didn’t invent this, God did. He created humans and communication, therefore He created this logical reasoning on how to know what He wants. What He orders is much more vital to our life than pizza. [Matt 4:4]

Every NT Scripture authorizing Instrumental Music in the Worship

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Years ago, as we were beginning our walk as children of God, we had a few ‘why’ questions. Why don’t we have crosses on the building? Why does everyone correct us when we say, “going to church?” One of the why questions was, “why do we sing Acapella music without instrumental accompaniment during worship?”

The gospel preacher at this congregation would always give us a bible answer to all our questions, but this time, the bible answer was so different than all the other answers he had given. He said, “I’m going to read to you every single passage in the Bible authorizing instrumental music in New Testament worship.” And he did.

The lesson was so powerful that I have used it myself when others have asked this question and I want to share it with you. The chart below lists every single passage in the Bible authorizing instrumental music in New Testament worship.

New Testament Scriptures Authorizing Instrumental Music in the Worship

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(this page left blank intentionally)

 

That’s it, every single passage. You may be saying, “but the chart is blank” and I would say, “yup, because that is what God has said about instrumental music in New Testament worship, NOTHING.”

Speak when the Bible speaks, and remain silent when it’s silent

There can be no clear instructions, no command keeping if we don’t have a respect for silence. “The bible doesn’t say I can’t” is NOT a valid reason to play an instrument during worship of God. If silence doesn’t restrict our actions, then we can’t get upset when Mcd’s gets our order wrong. All they need to say is, “you didn’t say we couldn’t.”

God The Holy Spirit told us what He wants in our worship regarding music, VOCAL. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” [Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16]

When you tell your child to make his bed, and later you find out he made it and painted it, are you going to accept, “you didn’t say I couldn’t?” Certainly not! Why? Because what is expressly stated eliminates all other options and additions. Imaging trying to give instructions if you also must include all the things you DON’T WANT.

Some will say, “Well David used instruments to worship God.” Really, you’re going to follow an OT example? [Colossians 2:14] Are you going to also slaughter bulls and goats, because that’s what David did? Here’s a question for you, did God authorize David’s use of the instrument? David also had multiple wives, can I do that? What did God think of David’s use of the instrument? God rebuked His people in Amos 6:5 saying, “Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments, And invent for yourselves musical instruments like David;” It seems God was no more happy with David’s instrumental music than He was with the multiplying of wives [Acts 17:30], and you want to use that for permission? Let’s just do this, respect what God has commanded, and leave what He hasn’t said where He left it…SILENT.