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“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” 1 Pet. 4:11

When God Is Silent. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” 1 Pet. 4:11. Why Can't We Do That?. “We can do anything unless it is prohibited in Scripture” … or - “We cannot do anything unless it is authorized ”?

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“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” 1 Pet. 4:11

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  1. When God Is Silent “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” 1 Pet. 4:11

  2. Why Can't We Do That? • “We can do anything unless it is prohibited in Scripture” … or - • “We cannot do anything unless it is authorized”? • “Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent.”

  3. Edward Stillingfleet, 1659 • Englishman said: For the church to require more than Christ himself did, or make the condition of her communion more than our Saviour did for discipleship, is wholly unwaranted” (Search for The ancient Order, Earl West, p. 47).

  4. Thomas Campbell, 1808 • In Washington, Pa., “Where the Bible speaks; we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent.” • Andrew Munro, a sentimental person: “if we adopt that as a basis, then there is an end of infant baptism.”

  5. Reactions • Campbell: “If infant baptism be not found in the scriptures, we can have nothing to do with it.” • Acheson: quoted Mt. 19:14 – “never renounce that blessed saying.” • Foster: “in that scripture there is no reference whatever to infant baptism.”

  6. Zwingli and Luther • “Luther (Germany, 1483-1546) said we may do what the Bible does not forbid. • Zwingli (Switzerland, 1484-1531) said what the Bible does not command we may not do, and on that account he gave up images, and crosses in churches...Organs in church also were given up” (The Thunderous Silence of God, Clayton, p. 70).

  7. Israel at the Red Sea Fear caused doubt, Ex. 14:10-12 God’s answer, 14:13-14 How long should they wait? …Till God gave direction to move! He told them to go, and provided the way, 14:15,16 What if they had said: “He didn’t say we couldn’t run for our lives”?

  8. Israel in the Wilderness Problem about touching a dead body, Num. 9:1-7 Wait till the Lord reveals, v. 8 God’s answer, vs. 9-13 “Speak where the Bible speaks; be silent where the Bible is silent!”

  9. David's Cart God had given instructions, and a prohibition, Num. 4:15 The new cart was an innovation, 2 Sam. 6:1-7 “God did not say we could not use a cart” Scripture was silent about a cart! (1 Chron. 15:13)

  10. Circumcision of Gentiles Must Gentiles be circumcised to be saved? (Acts 15:1) Peter spoke – using example, vs. 7-11 Barnabas and Paul, v. 12 James, vs. 13-17 God was silent on subject, v. 24

  11. Applications Lord’s supper on first day of week, Acts 20:7 (“Doesn’t say not Saturday.”) Unleavened bread and fruit of vine, Mt. 26:17,26-29 (“Doesn’t say not…”) Elders overseeing flock, 1 Pet. 5:1-4 (“Doesn’t say not all churches in city”) Sing and make melody in your heart, Eph. 5:19 (“It doesn’t say not to play.”)

  12. Conclusion “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” 1 Pet. 4:11 God’s silence is as important as His revelation! If we are not silent where He is silent, it matters not what we speak, nor whether we speak at all!

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