Does the silence of the scripture authorize?

Heb 8:4-5  Who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He  said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

I. OT TEACHES SILENCE SETS LIMITS (Rom, 15:4).

A. Moving the Ark of the Covenant: God's Law Revealed-Num.   4:1-6,

                15; 7:9. (Kohathites to bare the ark on their shoulders.)

B. Moving the Ark to Jerusalem - 1 Chrn. 13:1-8.

1. The Ark of the Covenant had remained in the house of Abinadab

 for 20 yrs. after returned by Philistines (on new cart, 1 Sam. 6:3; 7:1).

2. Now, David proposes to bring it to Jerusalem - 1 Chrn. 13:1-4.

3. Preparation & procession; death of Uzza - 1 Chrn. 13:5-10.

C. God's Displeasure-13:9-14.

1. What displeased God ("error" had occurred, 2 Sam. 6:7)?

a. Was it moving the ark? Why (13:2-3)? Who (13:4)? How (13:7)?
b. Was it David's attitude of heart? (13:8)                          C
c. Was it Uzza's good intention? (13:9)

2. 15:2,11-15-Because they did not follow God's pattern for transporting the ark!

 When they did "as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord" 15:15)....

succeeded! (15:26)

D. Adding to God's Word Violates the Silence of the Scriptures (Dent. 4:2; Prov. 30:6; Rev. 22:18).

1. What God says is what God wants...the way He wants it...and all He wants!

2. Silence of the scriptures is not license...silence restrains! (Heb. 8:5)

3. Silence defines the limits God sets within which we act.

4. It is presumptuous to change the pattern that God reveals for us to follow;

 it is to go beyond the doctrine of Christ.

H. GOD'S JUDGMENTS AGAINST MAN DOING WHAT GOD DID NOT SAY TO DO.

           A. Nadab & Abihu (Lev. 8:36; 9:2-24; 10:1-2).

1. God's pattern had been followed: animals had been commanded & offered,

 "as the Lord had commanded Moses" (Lev. 8:36; 9:2-24).

2. 10:1 - Offered "profane (strange, foreign) fire" "which He had not commanded them."

 (Lev. 6:12-13; 16:12)

3. God's judgment: Death-10:2.

B. Saul & the Amalekites - 1 Sam. 15:3,9,13-15,22-23. ''

 1. 15:3, 9 - The command & the disobedience.

2. 15:13-15 - The explanation (rationalization).

3. God's judgment: Disobedience/Rebellion(15:10, 22-23).

C. Priestly Tribe of the Law of Moses-Heb. 7:11-14.

1. If OT law still in force, Jesus is not a priest. (Heb. 8:4)

2. Silence restricted the priesthood to tribe of Levi!

3. God's judgment: Only Levi.

 D. Judaizers-Actsl5:l,24;Gal.2:5.

1. 15:1 - Circumcision + gospel = Salvation (15:5).

2. 15:24-Nocommandment given - Actingalone.

3. God's judgment: Subverting souls/bondage (15:24; Gal. 2:5).

III. ADDING TO GOD'S SILENCE IS GOING BEYOND HIS DOCTRINE & AUTHORITY-2 Tim. 1:13 (Col. 3:17; 2 Jno. 9).

(False reasoning: "It doesn't say 'not to', so we are at liberty to do it"!!)

A. Music in Worship (Eph. 5:19).

-Sing + Play = Beyond Christ's authority!

 B. How to Baptize (Rom. 6:4).

-Immerse + Sprinkle = Beyond Christ's authority!

C. Subject of Baptism (Mk. 16:16).

-Adult believer + infant = Beyond Christ's authority!

D. Cause for Divorce & Remarriage (Matt. 19:9).

-Fornication + desertion = Beyond Christ's authority!

E.   When to Eat the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7).

1st day + Thursday = Beyond Christ's authority'-

Many more examples of adding to the silence of God's word... (Work of local church; organization of local church; women preachers, "ages" of creation, etc.)

Conclusion

1. The silence of God's word is respected when we do not add to its teachings: we abide in the doctrine of Christ; we hold fast the pattern of sound words

2.    2 Jno. 9 - Our salvation & fellowship with God hangs in the balance!