Sunday, January 10, 2016
pm
WHY DO WE NEED A
PATTERN?
This past week I
received a phone call from one of the members here who was asked, “Why
do we need a pattern for what we do?”
This is a very common question in the religious world today.
As members of the Lord’s body, we are often asked this because we
demand authority for all that we do.
Considering how the gospel has been watered down in so many
places, it is a very good question (perhaps one suitable for our Friday
night “Mark your Bible” studies).
So tonight, we are going to answer that question.
Even among brethren,
there are some who are teaching what is described as the “No pattern”
theory of interpretation. It
is espoused in various forms, typically to the degree that one wants to
act outside of the pattern we do have in the Bible.
Often these arguments are based upon the silence of scripture.
We will not deal specifically with this tonight, though much of
what we say in this lesson applies to that doctrine.
a.
The word
pattern, (τύπος, typos), is a word that means, “a model of behavior as
an example to be imitated or to be avoided.”
(L&N, 58.59) The word
pattern where the Bible is concerned is similar to a pattern in anything
– such as making a dress, or a blueprint for a building, or an
instruction manual for assembling something.
b.
Philippians 3:17 – join in following my example... as you have us for a
pattern. Paul addressed that
his example was worthy of following.
c.
2 Timothy
1:13 – Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from
me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
d.
Titus 2:7,
speaking to young men and their example he says, “in all things showing
yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity,
reverence, incorruptibility,”
e.
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.”
f.
Romans
6:17 – obeyed from the heart that
form of doctrine
g.
1
Corinthians 10:6, 11 – these things became our
examples for us to follow
and learn from – examples of rejection of God by Israel in the
wilderness. Paul is
saying to follow these examples.
h.
Hebrews
9:24 – Christ has entered into heaven itself, not the physical holy
place which is a copy of the
true.
i.
NOTE: In
the last three examples the words of emphasis, “form”, “example” and
“copy” are all the same Greek word as “pattern” in the previous verses.
j.
In this,
we can see that to God, the pattern is important.
a.
God’s plan
of redemption is a pattern – that pattern actually explains why He was
so specific in some things such as building the tabernacle and temple.
b.
Noah was
given a pattern – Genesis 6:14, 22
c.
Moses was
given a pattern – Exodus 25:9-10, 40, Acts 7:44, Heb. 8:5ff.
d.
Solomon
was given a pattern – 1 Chronicles 28:11-12, 19 – these verses show that
even the temple had a pattern given from God.
e.
Nadab and
Abihu had a pattern that they failed to follow – Lev. 16:12, 10:1-2.
There are other examples that demonstrate the danger of rejecting God’s
pattern.
f.
A note
about these examples: We may
not understand exactly why God specified what He did, but He did!
And we dare not question Him or His motives (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Also consider Romans 9:20-21 – which basically says, Who are we
to question God?
a.
How far
are you willing to take that?
Who determines what is a must?
Is it one who believes in the Bible?
If so, haven’t you established some sort of pattern?
Is it one who believes in Jesus?
If so, haven’t you established a pattern?
Do you really believe that God doesn’t care what you believe?
Does He approve of the division in His name?
b.
Are you
willing to risk your eternity that it doesn’t matter? Phil. 3:1 - For me
to write these things for you it is safe.
c.
What about
Matthew 7:21-27?
There is a way that leads to destruction.
Also it is not enough to simply say you know Him.
See also Luke 6:46, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not the
things which I say?”
d.
What about
John 12:48? Jesus said the words
He has spoken will judge us in the last day.
If there is no pattern that matters, what will we be judged by?
e.
What about
1 Corinthians 1:10?
Let there be no divisions among you.
The admonition is that we speak the same thing.
Does that not have to do with a pattern?
f.
What about
1 Corinthians 11:1? “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.” – Again, does Christ give us
a pattern to follow? (Consider 1
Tim. 1:16), If so, WHERE do we find that pattern?
g.
What about
1 Corinthians 4:6? Paul instructs these brethren that what he wrote was
so that they would learn not to think beyond what is written!
This is a passage that teaches
boundaries (see also 2 John 9-11)
NOTE: Silence is NOT permission to do what you want – when God has
specified.
h.
What about
1 Corinthians 14:33? If God
is not the author of confusion, then why is there so much religious
division? Is it because what
He said really doesn’t matter?
i.
These are
just a few verses that call for us to understand what the will of the
Lord is (Ephesians 5:17).
That understanding gives us direction, a patter, if you will.
Many others could be added to these.
In summary: As we
can see, God has given us a pattern and we NEED to follow it.
Without a pattern, the Bible is NOT a guide for us to follow (2
Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3), but simply a book of philosophy that we
put beside everything else..
The real issue is that in matters that we don’t want to be accountable,
we dismiss the pattern of scripture.
That is a VERY dangerous road to go down.