IS SILENCE GOLDEN?

Generic and Specific Authority

How to Find Authority in Scripture• Look to the right source (the Word of Christ)

Matthew 28:18• Look for direct statements that authorize• Look for apostolic examples (we are

commanded to follow their example) Phil. 4:9• Apply necessary inference in statements and

examples (acknowledge unavoidable conclusions) Matthew 22:31-32

• Absence of a prohibition (“It doesn’t say not to…”) does not authorize anything!

“It Doesn’t say not to…”• No specific prohibition Hebrews 7:1-14• The Bible did not specifically say that a priest

could not come from the tribe of Judah v.14• Korah contended that his choice was just as

good as God’s choice Numbers 16:4-11, 28-35• Uzzah could say that the law didn’t say that he

couldn’t offer incense, either 2 Chronicles 26:16-21

• There is a specific declaration Exodus 28:1• There is a general prohibition Matthew 15:13

Noah’s ArkGenesis 6:14-22

• God gave Noah specific instructions• Dimensions: 300 x 50 x 30 cubits• Number of levels: three • Number of doors: one• Number of windows: one• Materials: gopher wood and gopher resin• Occupants: two of every kind of animal; also his

immediate family• If Noah would deviate from these instructions,

what would happen to him?

Noah’s ArkGenesis 6:14-22

• God also gave Noah generic instructions• Number of rooms in the ark: ?• Size of each room in the ark: ?• Tools to use in building the ark: ?• Any tool is authorized to help in the building of the

ark (aid or expedient)• No tool would be authorized to be added as a part

of the ark itself (addition)• The difference between aid and addition• We cannot change God’s word Gal. 1:6-10; 3:26-27