The Church Jesus Established
      Make All Things according To the Pattern   

Introduction - The Pattern Concept

Those who make garments follow a pattern designed to produce a specified type and size of clothing. Architects draw up blueprints that lay out the design of a structure that is to be built. Similarly the New Testament draws up the pattern or blueprint for the church of Christ.

We see the "pattern concept" in the building of the Old Testament tabernacle. Exodus 25:9,40 - "According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it." "And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain." Hebrews 8:5 - "Who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."

In the New Testament certain words are used to describe the pattern principle:
The Greek word tupos - "A die (as struck), i.e. (by implication.) a stamp…a shape, i.e. a statue, style or resemblance; a sampler ("type"), i.e. a model for imitation or for warning). We gather from this definition that it denotes an exact image to be copied, an exact model to be imitated, an example that would serve as a warning, a pattern to be copied.

• Translated as "example" (Phil. 3:17; I Thess. 1:7; II Thess.3:9)

• Translated as "type or figure" (Rom. 5:14

• Translated as "form" (Rom. 6:17)

• Translated as "pattern" (Titus 2:7; Hebrews 8:5; Acts 7:44)
  

The Greek word hupodeigma - "A…representation, figure, copy, an example for imitation…"

• Translated as "example" (John 13:15; Hebrews 4:11; 8:5; James 5:10)

• Translated as "copies" ("pattern"- KJV) (Hebrews 9:23)

B. Paul told Timothy "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:13). There is such a thing as "sound doctrine." There are also things contrary to sound doctrine: "whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine" (1 Tim. 1:10).

C. "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you" (Rom. 6:17). Those at Rome, had obeyed that "form" (the model or pattern) "of doctrine" (water baptism vs. 1-7) were freed from their sins.

D. Paul said, "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you" (Phil. 4:9). "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1).

E. "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle" (2 Thess 2:15).

F. "That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour" (2 Peter 3:2).

G. "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3). We must contend for and guard the pattern. If there were no set standard, this would be unnecessary. The point is, "the faith," the system of faith, God's Way, the law of God, the New Testament, the pattern, is to be maintained.

H. "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines..." (Heb. 13:9). "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" (Eph. 4:14).

I. "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2). Notice there were things (truths) that Paul had taught to Timothy which Timothy was required to pass on to others.

J. "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds." (2 John 9-11). Christians are not to go beyond the truth of God's word.

K. "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Revelation 22:18-19). This teaches, specifically about the book of Revelation and in general about all inspired words, that we cannot either add to or take away from the word. If there is no pattern, then how could we be commanded to not add or take away from the word.

L. "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them." (Romans 16:17).

    [Lesson 1 - Defining The Church]     [Lesson 2 - Authority Over The Church]    [Lesson 3 - How Scripture Authorizes (Pt. 1)]
[Lesson 4- How Scripture Authorizes(Pt. 2)]  [Lesson 5 - The Universal - The Local Church]  [Lesson 6 - The Church - Not a Denomination]    [Lesson 7 - Timeline - Church's Establishment]     [Lesson 8 - Worship Designed for the Church] [Lesson 9 - The Lord's Supper]
[Lesson 10 - Worshipping in Song]  [Lesson 11 - Worshipping in Prayer]   [Lesson 12 - The All-Sufficient Church]  
  [Lesson 13 - Elders]  [14 - Deacons ]  [Lesson 15 - Evangelists ]     [Lesson 16 - The Social Gospel]     
     [Lesson 17 -Benevolence-According to the Pattern]

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Page last updated: March 03, 2003