Is the silence of the Scriptures
prohibitive? By that we mean, may one improvise in acts of religious devotion
in the absence of a specific “you must not …”? If the New Testament is silent
about a specific matter (e.g., the baptizing of infants, the burning of
incense, the use of mechanical instruments in worship), may a person pursue
that practice? Some allege that this is the case. They contend that asking
folks to respect the silence of the Scriptures is a human regulation that has
no support in the Bible. They are wrong. Hebrew 7:14 contains the very
principle that is the focus of this discussion. In this context, the sacred
writer has noted that there has been a change in the priesthood. The Aaronic
priesthood of the Old Testament regime has given way to the better priestly
system of the New Testament economy. It is then suggested that Christ could not
serve as a priest “after the order of Aaron” (cf. 8:4). Why not? Because Jesus
was descended from the tribe of Judah, and, as to that tribe, Moses spake
nothing (i.e., the law was silent; there was no authority) concerning the
priesthood. The silence of the law was prohibitive! If God does not authorize a
religious practice, it is forbidden. This principle absolutely must be
respected. Underline, therefore, the terms “spake nothing” in Hebrews 7:14, and
marginally observe: Silence is prohibitive .