The difference between going down a path of error and finding the truth is sometimes very slim. It often hinges on one’s view of Bible authority and how it is established. Many people dwell in error, not because they are insincere, but because their hermeneutical approach to the scriptures is wrong.

Never is this more true than when it comes to the silence of the scriptures. There are two positions that can be taken that lead to two totally different conclusions. One says the silence of the scriptures authorizes; thus, anything that God hasn’t specifically forbidden becomes lawful. The other position is that the silence of the scriptures makes something unauthorized; thus, if God hasn’t given us permission in His Word to do something, we don’t have the authority to do it.

To show that the latter position is the right position, all we need to do is look at one passage (Colossians 3:17).

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Notice the scope of this passage. Whatever it is that is done, whether we are talking about what is taught or what is practiced, it must be done in the name of the Lord. That alone says that whatever God is silent about in the arena of religion is unapproved.

We can illustrate this by real life behavior. Let’s say that I sent a child of mine to the store with ten dollars and said buy me a loaf of bread. Does that child have the authorization from me to buy some candy and other snacks just because I did not specifically say not to? What parent would say yes. Silence never provides authorization. Could an employee add thirty minutes to break time just because the boss didn’t specifically say not to? Of course not. So, God doesn’t have to always say, “thou shall not” for something to be unauthorized. The words of Paul prove this. Whatever a church does, in word or deed, that is, whatever is practiced or preached, must be by the authority of Christ. That is what “in the name of” means. It means by the authority of. Here is a list of some things that God hasn’t authorized.

• Musical instruments in worship.
• Women pastors.
• Using the Lord’s money for fun, frolic, recreation, or entertainment.
• Partaking of the Lord’s Supper on a day other than the first day of the week.
• Observing Christmas and Easter as religious holidays.
• Infant baptism.
• Fellowship halls and multi-purpose centers.
• Choirs

Some of these things listed are wrong for more than one reason, but if for no other reason, they are all wrong because God, through His Word, has not authorized any of them.

That a “thou shall not” is not needed can be illustrated, not only by everyday life experiences, but more importantly by scripture. Notice what the Hebrews writer says about the priesthood.

Hebrews 7:12-14 (ESV)
¹²  For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. ¹³  For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. ¹⁴  For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

In order to serve as a priest under the law of Moses, one had to be from the tribe of Levi (Hebrews 7:5). Now, since Jesus is our high priest, we know the law has changed because He is not from the tribe of Levi. Jesus is from the tribe of Judah. But, did you notice what Moses said about the tribe of Judah? NOTHING! Moses never said, “those from the tribe of Judah cannot be priests.” In fact, no where in the entire Bible is that stated. Now let me ask, does the Bible’s silence on this make it okay for a man from the tribe of Judah to be a priest? We all know the answer is no, don’t we.

The truth is this: when you do something religiously, it is not up to others to show you that what you are doing is unauthorized; it is up to you to prove that it is by showing that it is in the Bible. If it is not in the Bible, you ought to leave it alone. This small adjustment to one’s approach to the Bible can save their soul.