God’s law of silence
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Searching the Scriptures
David A. Bass, Rockford Church of Christ
An order for a chicken dinner at the local diner automatically excludes an order for a fish
dinner. It is not necessary to say, “Do not bring me a fish dinner.” The order for a steak dinner
excludes all other dinners offered on the menu and tells the waiter/waitress that you do not want fish.
If you go into a nursery and order one red rose bush, dogwood trees are automatically
excluded. It is not necessary to say, “I do not want a dogwood tree, etc.” The order for one red rose
bush excludes all other bushes and trees.
We all understand the principle of exclusion or God’s law of silence in everyday affairs, and
we must learn to respect it in religion! People often defend their religious practices by saying, “But
the Bible doesn’t say not to do it.” We should realize that God doesn’t have to say, “Thou shalt not” in order to prohibit a thing. When God specifies a certain procedure or act, all else is excluded.
In Genesis 6:14, God told Noah, “Make thee an ark of gopher wood.” When God specified
“gopher wood” He excluded all other kinds of wood. It was not necessary for Him to say, “Thou
shalt not use pine, oak, cherry or walnut.” This was understood.
Had God used the general command, “Make thee an ark of wood,” Noah would have had the freedom to use any kind of wood that he wished; but the specific command to make the ark of “gopher wood” excluded all other kinds of wood! Noah would have disobeyed God if he had used any other kind.
In Matthew 26:26-28, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper using “unleavened bread” and “fruit
of the vine (grape juice).” Since the Lord’s Supper was instituted during the Passover Feast and
leaven or yeast was prohibited during the observance of this feast (Exodus 12:15), this excludes any
other kind of bread from being used on the Lord’s Table.
It was not necessary for Jesus to say, “Thou shalt use no other kind of bread.” Jesus also specified that we use the “fruit of the vine.” This excludes all other elements such as apple juice, water, or Dr. Pepper.
God’s law of exclusion also applies with regard to music in our worship. God has specified
SINGING! “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in your hearts to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).
The command to “sing” excludes all other kinds of music in worship. Humming, whistling and instrumental music are all kinds of music; therefore, they are excluded from Christian worship. IF, God had given a general command to “make music in worship,” then we would be at liberty to sing, whistle, hum, play an instrument, or have a combination of these.
Do you respect God’s law of Silence? I encourage you to lay aside what you have been taught and what you already believe and “Search the Scriptures” for yourself.
Your comments and Bible questions are always welcome. Send them to: Searching the Scriptures; 8997 U.S. Hwy. 231; Rockford, AL 35136. May God bless you!