There is a great comfort in following after methods of living that are tried and true. In practically all areas of life decisions are made based upon practical precedent. It is common to, when professional, political, or legal decisions are being made, refer back to established examples of how situations have been handled in the past and their success or failure. This information allows us to better determine how decisions will affect our lives as we seek the greatest good for ourselves, our families, and our friends. Strangely, though, when established precedent is promoted as the proper means of directing our steps religiously and spiritually, such decisions are rejected by much of the world and labeled as nothing more than “pattern theology” as though such a concept is inherently contemptible. But one of the most confusing arguments against New Testament Christianity is its stated reliance upon seeking a Biblical pattern for all possible matters of life. Apparently those who lead the charge against Biblical patterns find such a concept too restricting as applied to interpretation, organization, work, and worship. I believe, though, inherent in such rejections of established precedent is the desire for license to do whatever they so desire while providing “authority” for it based on nothing more than an outright perversion of the scriptures. Can a pattern be provided for all areas of life in which decisions must be made? No. Judgment calls occasionally must be made, but even those decisions must be made according to Divine will. But as it applies to the identity, organization, work, and worship of the church, there is a pattern. God’s scheme of redemption is a pattern. The Heavenly intentions for the home is represented in scripture through the means of a pattern. And in each of these cases, assurance is enjoyed among those willing to live according to that pattern.
Ancient Israel was given the distinct opportunity to construct a vessel in which God would dwell in their very presence in the form of a tabernacle. But those responsible for its construction were not allowed free reign in its design. God, rather, provided them a strict architectural plan for the structure itself as well as its furnishings and gave them this command: “And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount” (Exodus 25:40, emp. mine, AJB). What do you suppose would have happened if Israel had pushed aside that pattern, desiring, rather, free reign to design and build the tabernacle according to the means they might prefer? God would have removed His presence from among them (implied from His promise in Exodus 25:8). Such illustrates the importance of the pattern concept in scripture. To accept and abide by God’s divine pattern is to enjoy the blessings promised. To reject and renege that pattern is to deny ourselves of those same blessings. What are some examples of how Divine pattern should continue to impact and direct our lives?
The church’s identity must meet with Divine pattern. If I am going to belong to a church, would I not want to belong to one that implicitly resembles the church of which we read in the New Testament. Should that church not call itself by the same name, accept as its standard the same truth, submit to the same Jesus, and believe in the same God? Should it not seek to instill the same godly principles in its membership as well as those in the world in seeking to lead them to Christ? The logical answer to all of these questions would seem to be yes. Why? Because everything we read about the identity of the church in the New Testament was Divinely approved. And if we are seeking the same result, should be not abide by the same standard? The church’s identity must meet with Divine pattern.
The church’s organization must meet with Divine pattern. God’s eternal wisdom saw fit to design the organization of the church according to a particular standard. By both example and command, the New Testament bears out His intention for elders to be appointed in every congregation to lead, govern, and shepherd; deacons to serve in a special capacity under those elders; preachers to reprove, rebuke, and exhort; and members to work in various capacities for the overall growth of the kingdom. Why should such a pattern still be followed? Because it has been proven to work for centuries. No alternative method is going to be as effective as that proposed and promoted by God, thus the church’s organization must meet the Divine pattern.
The church’s requirements for entrance must meet the Divine pattern. In the name of more impressive looking membership roles, virtually any and all are being welcomed by some into various religious circles today. But God has stipulated those who He has accepted into His family giving us the information needed to know those who are truly our brethren. In Acts 2, those who repented and were baptized were saved and added to the church, and those same individuals went about to daily live in accordance to Heavenly expectations (Acts 2:37-47). If the church is going to truly go about its duty of seeking and saving the lost, the same stipulations will be expected of all who will enter today. The church truly remains the possession of God and not the possession of man as its requirements for entrance meet the Divine pattern.
Is there a pattern to which we are accountable today? Without a doubt. Many despise and reject such a notion, but the rejection of the masses does not render it obsolete. May we ever seek after the pattern lovingly provided by our merciful God.