thematic studies in bible basics

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics


Lesson 7 Biblical Authority (Part B)• Establishing Biblical Authority

All 3 Methods Used By 1st Century Christians• The Issue Circumcising Gentiles Acts 15

• Judaizers constantly opposed the apostles, their teaching cp. 13:8, 45, 50 14:2, 19 15:1

• The issue eventually reached a decisive point… brethren were “troubled” & “unsettled” v. 24




• Established by an Example vv. 7-11• Peter discusses his work among the

uncircumcised Gentiles• He references his visit with Cornelius vv. 7-10

cp. 10:44-47




• Established by an Example vv. 7-11• The Gentiles had been “saved” v. 11 cp. v. 1• This served as an example of how God had

“cleansed the Gentiles by faith” without them submitting to circumcision v. 9




• Established by a Necessary Inference v. 12• Paul & Barnabas discuss their mission work

among the uncircumcised, emphasizing the signs & wonders they did cp. 2:4, 43 3:7-10 5:12-16 6:8 8:6 9:32-42




• Established by a Necessary Inference v. 12• Miracles were done among Jews & Gentiles• This infers that God was willing to accept the

Gentiles without them submitting to circumcision




• Established by a Command vv. 13-18• James reminds everyone what God had earlier

spoken through one of the prophetscp. Amos 9:11-12




• Established by a Command vv. 13-18• If God had already spoken about bringing in the

Gentiles with no mention of them being circumcised, that settled the issue




• Establishing authority using this “3-approach method” accomplished 2 important things… The controversy was solved v. 19 Unity was produced in the churches v. 31


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• The previous material has emphasized the

authority of what God has said• The following material emphasizes the

authority of what God has not said• Both of these are equally authoritative

• In fact, respect is especially shown when God is silent


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• A very common question asked whenever

God has not spoken re: a matter is “Why can’t we…?”

• This is basically decided by 2 extremes – God’s silence is permissive God’s silence is prohibitive


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• The argument over the “permissiveness” or

“prohibitiveness” of God’s silence is not a new debate

• This debate was had even during the days of the Religious Reformation (15th & 16th centuries)


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• A key verse containing a guiding principle in

this “debate” is Deut 29:29• What God has said belongs to us• What God has not said is a “secret” – belongs

to Him

• This is a principle that even earthly parents understand, employ with their children


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• Principles re: God’s silence from the O.T.

• Israel at the Red Sea Ex 14:10-14• They had to “wait” for God’s answer vv. 13-14• They had already asked the “Why couldn’t we…”

questions vv. 11-12• They were eventually told to “Go forward” toward

the sea God helps in “bleak” situations• This teaches us to “wait” for God’s answer



• Israel during the Passover Num 9:1-14• They were told to observe the Passover as the

Law directed vv. 2-3• A situation arose that was an exception vv. 6-7• Moses’ reply, “Wait…I’ll go ask the Lord” v. 8• God made additional provisions re: this situation

vv. 10-12



• Israel at the Red Sea Ex 14:10-14• Israel during the Passover Num 9:1-14

What these examples teach us is that we are not at liberty to act when God is silent on an issue…we must determine His will before doing anything


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• Disregarding God’s silence from the O.T.

• Saul and his offering 1 Sam 13:8-14• Saul reasoned, “People are leaving…Samuel’s not

coming…I’d better do something” vv. 8, 11-12• After all, isn’t doing something better than doing

nothing?• Samuel rebukes the king’s “foolishness” and his

“disobedience” v. 13


Lesson 8 Respecting God’s Silence• Disregarding God’s silence from the O.T.

• Saul and his offering 1 Sam 13:8-14• The lesson We cannot allow “the moment” to

justify doing something God has not authorized• God had already given the authorization re: who

was to offer sacrifices Num 3:1-10• Did He say anything about a king offering them?• What did this “silence” mean?

thematic studies in bible basics

Documents