Maybe some 30 years ago, Vickie and I had the incredible privilege of traveling to Romania to minister with Pastors B.B. and Velma Hankins. It was a trip I would consider one of the highlights of our 45+ years of ministry. I wish that you could have been there with us.
I don’t have the space to tell you all the stories from the trip, but to me, this one event stood out. At the close of the conference and ministry, the host pastor asked Pastor Hankins to conduct a teaching, followed by a time for questions from the Romanian pastors and leaders. The teaching was rich, and the Q&A time showed Pastor Hankins’ seasoned wisdom. In that session, a question was posed that left me speechless. Had the question been directed to me, my face would have turned red, and my ignorance would have been on display. A leader asked Pastor Hankins to give an answer to those in this session about what the Bible says about birth control. Remembering that what little Christianity existed in Romania was Catholic, Pastor Hankins immediately recognized that this was a loaded, baited question. Without batting an eye, Pastor Hankins responded by saying, “Where the Bible is silent, I am silent,” and then moved on to the next question. Amazing wisdom on his part!!!
I’ll admit there are questions about subjects in the Bible we won’t know the answers to until we reach heaven. There are plenty (and I will repeat PLENTY) of opportunities to repeat Pastor Hankins, “Where the Bible is silent, I am silent.” While we may have strong thoughts, there are some subject matters in the Bible to which we can’t give a definitive, authoritative answer, right?
Here’s what I love about the meetings Vickie and I are conducting as we travel around the country. In these meetings, no “Where the Bible is silent, I am silent” is needed. Because of what I read in God’s Word, I know that I know that I know that Jesus is still the great Savior, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, Healer, and soon-coming King. When I lead people in a salvation prayer, I KNOW that, without exception, they will be born again and their lives are forever changed. Question marks are removed. When I pray with individuals who desire to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit, I KNOW that the Baptizer will show up, and they, without exception, will be Spirit-baptized and speak in other tongues. Question marks are removed. When I lay hands upon the sick, I KNOW that the Healer will showcase His compassion and power, and they, without exception, will be healed. Question marks are removed. When I preach and teach about the soon return of Jesus, I KNOW that, without exception, I am stirring people’s hearts and desire to see His return. Question marks are removed. To all of these subjects, the “Where the Bible is silent, I am silent” isn’t needed because I have definitive answers. I’m “in the know” because the answers are all found in His Book. Hallelujah!
If you’ll allow me, I’m going to stop typing and start doing some rejoicing. Being “in the know” about salvation, Spirit-baptism, divine healing, and the soon return of Christ does something to my heart. Better yet, stop what you are doing and join in with me.
