"It Doesn't Say Not To"

People often use the silence of Scripture to justify what they do in religion. In my discussions with people about various features of a church’s worship assemblies, program of work, or organization, I sometimes ask where the Bible authorizes this or that. The most common response is, “The Bible doesn’t say not to, ” or “If God did not want us to ______, surely He would have condemned it.”

History shows that this question is an old one. The Albigenses of 12th century France rejected priestly garments, altars, and crosses in their worship assemblies because they found no New Testament authority for them. A few years later, another French group called the Waldenses rejected the Roman Catholic hierarchy, finding no New Testament priesthood except the “royal priesthood” of all believers (1 Peter 2:9). Both of these groups were persecuted ruthlessly for their beliefs, which I think shows that they had serious convictions about these matters.

Even leaders of the Protestant Reformation had differing views on the Bible’s silence. Swiss reformer Ulrich Zwingli taught that what the Bible does not command, we may not do. On that basis, he rejected the use of images, crosses, and instrumental music. In contrast, German reformer Martin Luther taught that what the Bible does not forbid, we may do. Casual observation shows that most religious folks have a decided preference for Luther’s view.

Is the Bible’s silence permissive? Are we free to do anything and everything that God does not specifically prohibit? Does “it doesn’t say not to” give us a blank check?

We certainly don’t think so in issues of everyday morality. Consider polygamy, for instance — a person’s having more than one spouse at the same time. You’ll find no New Testament passage that reads, “Thou shalt not have two or more wives.” But nearly all professed Christians recognize that God does not permit polygamy. Why? Because there are New Testament passages which specify that marriage involves one man and one woman (1 Corinthians 7:2; Romans 7:1-3). That rules out anything else. Do you see? God doesn’t have to specifically prohibit a thing for us to know that it is wrong.

Consider another example. Under the Law of Moses, God instructed that Aaron and his sons, of the tribe of Levi, be set apart as priests (Exodus 28:1-3). The Law said nothing about priests coming from any other tribe. God did not say, “You shall not appoint priests from Reuben, or Simeon, or Judah, or Dan, or Naphthali, or Gad, or Asher, or Issachar, or Zebulun, or Benjamin, or Ephraim, or Manasseh.” He simply said the priests would come from Levi. Yet the author of Hebrews says that God’s silence regarding the other tribes meant no one from those tribes could serve as a priest under the Mosaic Law — including Jesus Himself (Hebrews 7:13-14). To that inspired writer, God’s silence was prohibitive, not permissive.

This case is not merely theoretical. God’s will on this matter was put to the test several times. In each case, non-Levites who tried to perform priestly functions were punished: Dathan, Abiram, and On, of the tribe of Reuben (Numbers 16:1-35); Saul, of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:1-2; 13:8-10); and Uzziah, of the tribe of Judah (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). In the matter of priests, God’s silence about the other eleven tribes was prohibitive.

Now, apply that same principle to some other matters.

Infant baptism. The Bible says that penitent believers are to be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). We have no authority for baptizing infants, who can neither believe nor repent. No, the Bible does not say, “Don’t baptize babies.” But what it does say excludes that practice.

Baptism as a burial. The Bible describes baptism as a burial (Romans 6:4), an action involving much water (John 3:23). We have no Divine mandate to pour or sprinkle water on a person and call it baptism.

The Lord’s Supper. The elements of the supper are identified as bread and fruit of the vine (Matthew 26:26-29). We are given no permission to use pizza and beer or hamburgers and coke in observing this memorial.

Music in worship. The New Testament teaches us to sing praises to God (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:15; James 5:13). It does not instruct us to praise Him with instruments. One we can do with full assurance of God’s approval. The other is sheer presumption.

The same principle applies to any number of innovations in the church’s work, worship, and organization. Remember, if God has specified what He wants, we are not left free to make additions or substitutions.

The solution? We need to stay focused on what God has said He wants. “The Bible doesn’t say not to” is not sufficient reason for us to engage in this or that activity. Let’s be content to do what God has commanded.