No study of bible authority would be complete without an honest examination of God's silence. What are our attitudes and actions when the word of God does not mention any certain practice either by command, example or necessary inference or an authorized expedient of a command, example or necessary inference? Does the silence of God's word authorize? Men many times follow their own wills, thoughts or think-so's in religion and then in confidence argue, "well God didn't say not to". In essence they do that which is condemned by not following God, but by doing that which is right in their own eyes (Deut. 12:8), follow their own ways and not God's (Jer 10:23) and attempt to establish their own righteousness (Rom 10:1-3; Ti 3:5). When people disregard God's silence they truly are not submitting themselves to God's will but strive to establish their own wills as authority (Rom 10:1-3).

Bible students have studied and thought many times about Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron (Lev 10:1-2). They did that which God did not authorize. They must have reasoned from the silence of the scriptures. They must have decided that since God did not say not to offer a different kind of fire that the strange fire would be alright. They offered strange fire which he commanded them not (Lev. 10:1). The following statement by Moses (Lev 10:3) taught Aaron (and teaches us) that God is only glorified when we strictly observe His authority. The doctrines and commandments of men claim to glorify God, but they are vanity in the sight of the savior (Mt. 15:9). They call Him Lord but do what they desire and not what He says (Lk 6:46). Often these claim to obey God's will but add to God's word and will not respect His silence.

One of the greatest passages from God's word concerning the silence of the scriptures is found in Hebrews 7:14. In the discussion of the High Priesthood of Christ the Holy Spirit, through the Hebrew writer, makes the statement that, "it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood". What did God's word say about priest from Judah? NOTHING!! Did this then authorize priest from the tribe of Judah? Certainly not! God had to only say that the priest were to come from the tribe of Levi (Num 18). The silence of God forbade priest from the tribe of Judah in the Old Testament economy. For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law (Heb 7:12). God then spoke in the New Testament about one priest from Judah (Jesus Christ) but the silence forbade those under the old law from this practice.

Jesus said that we must be willing to do God's will and we would know the doctrine (Jn 7:17). Problems arise when folks refuse to hear and do God's will and disrespect his word and authority. No greater disrespect and disobedience to the Almighty is shown in any manner than this (ignoring God's silence). Remember this basic principle from Heb 7:14. The silence of the scriptures authorize nothing.