Where
In The Bible Will I Find:
The
Law Of Exclusion?
Actually the term "Law of Exclusion"
is nowhere found in the Bible, but its principle is taught throughout God's
Word. There is a maxim in law, that "THE EXPRESSION OF ONE THING IS THE
EXCLUSION OF ANOTHER." It must necessarily be so, for otherwise there
could be no definiteness in contracts, and no precision in legislative
enactments or judicial decrees. This same principle was used by God when He
commanded Noah to build an ark of gopher wood. He assigns no reason why gopher
wood should be used. But, as only gopher wood - was commanded, all other
wood was eliminated (Gen. 6:14).
Abraham was commanded to offer his son Isaac for
a burnt offering. In specifying Isaac it eliminated everyone else in his household
even to all his animals, or anything else until the order was revoked by God
who gave a second order, requiring the sacrifice of a ram in the place of Isaac
(Gen. 22:13).
God gave instructions to Moses for the Passover.
A lamb was to be killed (eliminating all other animals). It was to be of the
first year (eliminating lambs older than one year). It was to be male
(eliminating females). It was to be without blemish (eliminating lambs with
blemishes). It was to be on the fourteenth day of the month (eliminating all
other days). The blood was to be applied on the doorpost and lintels
(eliminating all other places) (Exod. 12:7, 22).
These negatives did not have to be stated by
God, they were implied by the positive command given. Jesus commanded, "He
that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved..." (Mark 16:16). Only
those old enough to believe the gospel could be baptized. Infants are too young
to believe, therefore, they are excluded from baptism.
Christians are commanded to make music. SINGING
is specified in this command (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19). Therefore, all types of
mechanical instruments of music are eliminated. We are warned not to go beyond
that which is written (II John 9), and to "abide in the doctrine of
Christ," but we cannot "abide in the doctrine" and
practice things not taught in the Bible. Infant baptism and instrumental music
are not taught, therefore, those who practice these things are not "abiding
in the doctrine of Christ" and they "HATH NOT GOD"
(II John 9).