THE SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES

THE SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES
(When Silence Speaks Loudly)
Text: John 4:21–24

Introduction:
Jesus said in John 4:23, “The true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” This morning we are going to study the meaning of silence—not the kind we experience in conversation or daily life, but the silence of the Scriptures. Throughout the Bible, God has shown that His silence has meaning, weight, and authority. Where God speaks, we must speak. Where God is silent, we must be silent. The silence of the Scriptures speaks loudly, defining what is and is not authorized by God.

The Principle of Silence in Scripture
We all understand that silence has meaning. If your spouse gives you the silent treatment, it communicates something. If a company fails to reply to a request, the message is clear. In the same way, God’s silence has significance. When He specifies His will in one way and says nothing about other ways, His silence restricts—not permits—our actions. This is a principle taught throughout Scripture.

The restoration leaders in early America wisely said, “Where the Bible speaks, we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent.” That motto reflects biblical authority. God’s revealed Word is our only standard. When He has spoken, we are bound to obey. When He has remained silent, we have no authority to act.

The Lesson of Uzzah
Few events demonstrate this truth more clearly than the account of Uzzah in 1 Chronicles 13. King David sought to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. The people were joyful, the music was loud, and the intent seemed noble. Yet something went terribly wrong. The oxen stumbled, the Ark tilted, and Uzzah reached out his hand to steady it. Immediately, God struck him dead.

Many have wondered, “Was that fair?” The answer lies in God’s prior commands. The Lord had already specified how the Ark was to be carried—by the poles on the shoulders of the Kohathites, the sons of Levi (Exodus 25:12–15; Numbers 4:15; Deuteronomy 10:8). God had never authorized any other method. He had said nothing about carrying the Ark on a cart. That silence was prohibitive. Uzzah’s act, though seemingly small, violated the will of God.

When David later reflected on the tragedy, he confessed the error: “We did not consult Him about the proper order” (1 Chronicles 15:13). David learned the lesson—God’s silence must be respected. When the people finally carried the Ark as instructed, God blessed them, and their joy was pure.

The Lesson of Nadab and Abihu
Another well-known account is found in Leviticus 10. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offered incense before the Lord with fire “which He had not commanded them.” God consumed them with fire for their disobedience. He had given explicit instructions for offering incense, and His silence concerning other types of fire was not permission—it was prohibition. Their act was unauthorized and therefore unacceptable.

Silence in the Book of Hebrews
The Hebrew writer makes the same point in several passages. In Hebrews 7:14, he declares that under the Law of Moses, no one from the tribe of Judah could serve as priest because “Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood” for that tribe. The silence of the Law made such service unauthorized. The writer’s conclusion is that the law had to change because Jesus, our High Priest, came from Judah. God’s silence excluded every other arrangement.

In Hebrews 1:5, we read, “For to which of the angels did He ever say, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You’?” The point is clear—He never said it to any angel. That silence exalts Christ above the angels.

Permissive and Prohibitive Silence
Not all silence is prohibitive. Sometimes God leaves details open for human judgment. For example, Hebrews 10:25 commands us to assemble, but it does not specify where. Acts 20:7 tells us to gather on the first day of the week, but not at what hour. In these cases, the silence is permissive. But when God specifies something—such as the tribe of Levi for priestly service, or singing for worship—His silence concerning all else is prohibitive.

Silence in Worship
Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 command Christians to “sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord.” God has specified singing. The New Testament is silent about any other form of musical worship. That silence excludes mechanical instruments. No verse authorizes their use in New Testament worship. To add them is to go beyond what is written, violating the silence of Scripture.

The Application of Silence in Salvation
The New Testament is also clear about salvation. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). The apostles taught belief (John 8:24), repentance (Acts 2:38), confession (Romans 10:9–10), and baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 22:16). There is no mention of salvation by prayer, feelings, or faith alone. The Bible’s silence on such methods means they are unauthorized. The silence speaks loudly—it says, obey the gospel God revealed, and no other.

THE SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES Sermon Outline:

• I. The Principle of Silence

  • God’s silence has authority (Colossians 3:17).

  • “Where the Bible speaks, we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent.”

   

• II. The Example of Uzzah (1 Chronicles 13; Exodus 25; Numbers 4)

  • God specified how and by whom the Ark was to be carried.

  • Uzzah and David violated God’s will by ignoring divine silence.

  • The consequence: judgment and a solemn lesson on authority.

• III. The Example of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1–2)

  • Offered “strange fire” which God had not commanded.

  • Silence was prohibitive, not permissive.

   

• IV. The Example from Hebrews (Hebrews 1:5; 7:11–14)

  • God’s silence excluded angels from Sonship and Judah from priesthood.

  • Silence in Scripture sets boundaries for divine authority.

   

• V. Silence in Worship (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16)

  • God specified singing; therefore, instrumental music is unauthorized.

   

• VI. Silence in Salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9–10)

  • God’s plan of salvation is clearly stated.

  • Silence concerning other methods is prohibitive.

   

Call to Action:
We must honor the silence of God’s Word. When He specifies, we obey. When He is silent, we refrain. The God of Israel is still the God of today—unchanging in holiness and authority. Let us respect His Word, follow His commands, and trust His pattern in worship and salvation. Remember Uzzah. Remember Nadab and Abihu. Remember the silence of Scripture.

Key Takeaways:

• Silence in God’s Word carries meaning and authority (Hebrews 7:14).

• When God specifies, His silence forbids alternatives (Leviticus 10:1–2).

• The silence of the New Testament prohibits instrumental music (Ephesians 5:19).

• God’s plan of salvation is exclusive and complete (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16).

• Respecting divine silence safeguards pure worship and faithful living (Colossians 3:17).

Scripture Reference List:

• John 4:21–24 – True worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.

• 1 Chronicles 13; 15 – The account of Uzzah and David’s correction.

• Exodus 25:10–15; Numbers 4:15; Deuteronomy 10:8 – Instructions for carrying the Ark.

• Leviticus 10:1–2 – Nadab and Abihu’s unauthorized fire.

• Hebrews 1:5; 7:14 – Silence showing Christ’s authority.

• Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16 – Singing in the heart as God’s command for worship.

• Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9–10 – The authorized plan of salvation.

• Colossians 3:17; Revelation 22:18–19 – Do all in the name of the Lord; do not add to His Word.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO