Are We Speaking Where the Bible Speaks? Part 2

written by David Stafford

            The Bible is the only way God communicates to us, and it is the only source by which a person is saved and lives faithful to God (Psalm 119:89, 105; 1 Peter 1:22-25). Thomas Campbell’s statement, “Where the Bible speaks; we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent” is a statement paraphrased from the command to speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11). The principle of this statement is expressed in the Scriptures (Psalm 119:89; Colossians 3:17). Are we speaking where the Bible speaks? We answer this question by looking at additional illustrations of not speaking where the Bible speaks, and we acknowledge the intention of speaking where the Bible speaks.

Illustrations of Not Speaking Where the Bible Speaks

There are people who believe they are fully following God’s Word, but they say and do things that are not in the Scriptures. Let’s notice additional illustrations of not speaking where the Bible speaks:

• If we say or teach that we live for ourselves, we are not speaking where the Bible speaks, because the Scriptures teach that we must deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). A Christian has surrendered his will to follow the will of Christ. Paul said, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The Bible teaches that Christians belong to Christ, and we must live for Him!
• If we say or teach that homosexuality is just an alternative lifestyle, we are not speaking where the Bible speaks, because the Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). God designed the home as one man, one woman, for life (Genesis 2:7-25). Jesus also taught God’s design for marriage. “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:4-6) (emphasis, mine).
• If we say or teach that baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace, then we are not speaking where the Bible speaks, because the Scriptures teach that baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). The preposition“for” is from the Greek word eis, and it does not mean “because of.” The same word is used when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:28). Jesus did not die because our sins were forgiven; He died so that our sins could be forgiven. God washes away our sins when we are baptized for the remission of our sins (Colossians 2:12).
• If we say or teach that baptism can be done by sprinkling, then we are not speaking where the Bible speaks, because the word “baptism” is from the Greek term baptizo which means “to immerse.” The Scriptures also teach that baptism is a burial (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12).
• If we say or teach that one worship is as good as another, then we are not speaking where the Bible speaks, because the Bible specifies how God desires to be worshipped. Jesus said, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). We must worship with the right spirit (attitude) and truth (God’s Word). The Bible gives examples of unacceptable worship to warn us not to be guilty of offering God something He has not commanded (Genesis 4:4-5; Hebrews 11:4; Leviticus 10:1-2; Romans 15:4)!
• If we say or teach “God didn’t say I can’t do it, so it is acceptable for me to do it”, then we are not speaking where the Bible speaks and silent where it is silent, because the law of exclusion is applied to the Scriptures. The Hebrews writer said, “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood” (Hebrews 7:14). The other tribes are not mentioned, but they don’t have to be. When something is specifically stated, it eliminates other options. For example, we are commanded to sing one to another (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). If God commanded for us to make music, that would be a generic command. However, He commands us to sing, and singing is a specific type of music.
• If we say or teach that one day is as good as another to worship God, then we are not speaking where the Bible speaks, because the Bible teaches that Christians came together to worship God on the first day of the week (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:20). There is no authority to worship God on any other day than Sunday.
• If we say or teach that it is acceptable for women to publicly teach and preach, then we are not speaking where the Bible speaks, because the Bible teaches that men are to lead the worship assemblies (1 Timothy 2:8-15).

There are additional illustrations that could be used in which people do not speak where the Bible speaks. 

We cannot adhere to only a portion of God’s Word.

 We must do all things by the authority of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17). We glorify God when we speak where the Bible speaks (1 Peter 4:11). Are we speaking where the Bible speaks? May the answer always be “yes!”