Thomas Campbell, a founder of the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement, famously said:
Where the Bible speaks, we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent.
Does that mean Bible silence forbids us from doing something? If so, what about church buildings? Preachers who are paid to teach saints (not unbelievers)? Sunday schools for children? Multi-purpose church treasuries? None of these are found in scripture. But most Christians agree they are not wrong. How can that be?
Thomas’ quote is about speech – not action. In other words, it’s designed to give a framework to explain what doctrines we can enforce on other believers. If the Bible says “thou shalt” or “thou shalt not”, we can (and should) speak with biblical authority. Otherwise, it’s a matter of opinion.
To “add” does not mean to do something the Bible doesn’t mention. To “add” means to require or forbid something that God, Himself, does not.
A picture is worth 1,000 words. So, this one says it all:
