How did Spirit-guided men establish Bible authority?

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What’s Your Question? for Jan. 12, 2011

Some Judaizing teachers were trying to bind circumcision on Gentile converts, and the apostles and others met in Jerusalem to discuss the issue (Acts 15). Peter used the example of the conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10), to show that God accepted Gentiles without circumcision (Acts 15:7-9). Then he drew a necessary inference - therefore circumcision should not be bound on Gentiles (v. 10). James quoted a precept from Amos 9:11,12 and said “Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God” (vs. 13-19). A letter was written saying “we gave no such commandment” (v. 24). They did not say “do what you feel ,” but said God was silent about that practice. God’s will is not learned from silence, but what He revealed through precept, example or necessary inference.