Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
April 3, 2022

When God Says Nothing
by Bryan Gibson
Suppose I tell my son, “Here’s five dollars, go buy a loaf of bread.” He returns with the loaf of bread, a candy bar, and a Mello-Yellow. Seeing that I’m a little put out, he might argue, “You didn’t tell me not to get these other things.” Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it? Maybe I should just get over it. Not so fast. Suppose I had specifically told him on several occasions before this, “Whenever I tell you to do something, don’t do anything more or less; don’t add to or delete anything; and don’t substitute anything else for what I tell you”? His excuse doesn’t sound so good now, does it? He should have known that he was restricted to just what I told him—no more, no less. Having warned him about this several times, I shouldn’t have to repeat it every time I tell him to do something.
That’s exactly what God has done. He tells us this in the Bible, in several places, in several ways. We cannot add to, take from, nor modify anything He had told us to believe and do. We cannot change in any way what is specifically taught by statement, implication, or example, and we can choose only those options contained in the specific instruction.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2 warns against adding to, or deleting from, the law, the word of God. Two other passages, Deuteronomy 12:32 and Proverbs 30:5-6, repeat the same warning.
Deuteronomy 5:32 prohibits turning from the word of God to the right hand or the left. The same thing is said in Joshua 1:7 and Proverbs 4:26-27.
The prophet Balaam had his problems, but at least he understood how to approach God’s instructions: “I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more” (Numbers 22:18); and, “I could not go beyond the word of the Lord, to do good or bad of my own will. What the LORD says, that I must speak” (Numbers 24:13).
The same warning is repeated in the New Testament. Revelation 22:18-19 reads just like Deuteronomy 4:1-2. We cannot add to or take from God’s word. 2 John 1:9 warns against going beyond the doctrine of Christ. Galatians 3:15 says that a covenant once confirmed can’t be added to or made void.
Yet another clear statement is made in Galatians 1:6-9. Read it for yourself, but here is the gist of it: Any gospel other than what was presented by the apostles is specifically forbidden, specifically excluded.
What all this means is that we are limited to what God says. Let’s conclude with just one application. Should we use instruments of music in our worship to God? God is specific in his instructions—He tells us to “sing” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Does God have to say, “Don’t use instrumental music”? No, because He has told us enough times to do just what He says—without addition, subtraction, modification, or substitution.

“Same Ole, Same Ole”
“For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe” (Philippians 3:1).
Basic Bible truths should not be tedious (to the teacher or the hearers/readers), because if neglected for very long, they won't be so basic anymore. And, they provide a wonderful safeguard against error.

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.