July 1, 2002, Vol.2, No.13.
Two new articles every two weeks.
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us.
THIS ISSUE: "Hold
Fast the Pattern" (see below)
and "The Unity of the
Spirit"
Hold Fast the Pattern
by Keith Sharp
Introduction
Several years ago I arranged to have a study with a preacher
in another church of Christ in the town where I lived about differences
we had on the subject of institutionalism. He admitted he had
not studied the subject much, but he wanted me to read a tract
written by Athens Clay Pullias entitled "Where There Is
No Pattern." The thesis of this brochure was that there
is no New Testament pattern in the area of our disagreement,
and, thus, we are free to do as we please without constraints
from divine law. Our disagreement involved the organization and
work of the church. If the tract is correct, there is no divine
pattern for the organization and work of the church!
For a generation some brethren have cried, "We do lots
of things without Bible authority!" In the last several
years some have followed this plea to its logical conclusion.
One brother claimed of the New Testament:
"Nowhere, nowhere, do I find a consistent diagram or
blueprint of what life should be or what the church should be."
Another declared:
"I am willing to admit that I do not have faith in the
binding nature of Divine Revelation."
This raises the question, Is the New Testament a binding pattern
for people today?
Paul Says It Is
The apostle Paul plainly stated that the New Testament is
a pattern. He commanded:
"Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have
heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus"
(2 Timothy 1:13).
The author of Hebrews, in comparing the Old and New Testaments,
appealed to the example of the construction of the tabernacle
by Moses. The Lord commanded Moses, "See that you make all
things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain"
(Hebrews 8:5; cf. Exodus 25:40; also vv. 8-9). The Lord instructed
Moses to build the tabernacle according to the divine pattern
revealed on Mt. Sinai. Moses did just that (Exodus 39:42-43).
As the result, "the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle"
(Exodus 40:34-35). This is a "copy and shadow of the heavenly
things" for us (Hebrews 8:5). Just as the tabernacle and
all the service pertaining to it were set up according to the
pattern made known through Moses, the New Testament church and
all that pertains to it are ordered by the pattern revealed through
Christ.
What the Pattern Is
The apostle even revealed what the divine pattern is. He described
it as "the pattern of sound words which you have heard from
me" (2 Timothy 1:13).
The New Testament pattern is composed of "sound words."
The term "sound" means "to be well, to be in good
health.... true and incorrupt doctrine" (Thayer. 634). Just
as nutritious food is conducive to a sound body, even so "true
and incorrupt doctrine" builds a healthy spirit. True doctrine
is that which comes from God (John 17:17; Romans 3:3-4). But
it must also be "incorrupt." Just as a small amount
of deadly poison in otherwise healthful food can be fatal, a
little human doctrine mixed with the doctrine of Christ is deadly
to the soul (Galatians 1:6-9).
This pattern is composed of the "words which you have
heard from me" (Paul). Since Paul was an apostle, the things
he taught came through the Holy Spirit from Christ (Ephesians
3:1-6).
Therefore, the New Testament pattern on any subject is composed
of everything the New Testament teaches on that subject.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy
3:16-17).
If we find everything the New Testament teaches about salvation,
that is the divine pattern on salvation. The same principle is
likewise true of the family, obligations to civil government,
righteousness in business relationships, responsibilities to
our neighbors, holy living, worship, organization of the church,
work of the church, or any other subject which pertains to the
salvation of one's soul.
Responsibility to the Pattern
The apostle also made known our responsibility to this pattern.
He commanded, "Hold fast the pattern of sound words."
The phrase "Hold fast" means "keep" (Thayer.
266) or "steadfast adherence to" (Vine. 2:223). Just
as Moses made "all things according to the pattern"
and just as Noah built the ark "according to all that God
commanded him" (Genesis 6:22; cf. vv. 14-16), so we must
follow the divine pattern found in the New Testament in all we
do (Colossians 3:17). To act in disregard of the New Testament
pattern is to leave God (2 John 9-11).
Attitudes
The beloved apostle even informed us of the attitudes we must
maintain toward the divine blueprint. He commanded us to follow
it "in faith and love."
Since faith comes from hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17),
in order to do things by faith, we must do those things and only
those things that are authorized in the New Testament. Those
whose lives are pleasing to God "walk by faith" (2
Corinthians 5:7). If we practice and teach things not authorized
by the Lord in His word, we are not walking by faith, and our
lives are displeasing to God.
Further, we are to exercise love in holding fast this pattern.
We must always speak and practice truth, but it must be done
in love (cf. Ephesians 4:15). Love of the truth demands we preach
and practice truth. Love of God requires our obedience to Him
(1 John 5:3). Love of our brothers and sisters in Christ compels
us to seek their good in all we do (1 John 3:16-18) and to never
place a stumbling block before them to cause them to sin (1 John
2:10).
Conclusion
The division that exists among Christians is tragic (cf. John
17:20-21; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3). If all would lay aside opinions
and creeds and determine to believe, preach, and practice the
pattern of sound words, the doctrine of Christ, we would all
be one (1 Corinthians 1:10). Brother, sister, it must begin with
you and me. Will you not determine to hold fast the pattern of
sound words?
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Works Cited
Thayer, Joseph H., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.
Vine, W.E., An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.
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