Questions

1. Is there a "pattern" in the NT that God wants us to follow?
2. Will God judge us based on how closely we follow this pattern? If so, how close is close enough for salvation? Will sincere believers who think they are following the pattern correctly be condemned if they have failed to follow the pattern perfectly due to misunderstanding?
3. What is the nature of this pattern? Is it a pattern of general principles that should guide our actions, or of specific rules that we msut follow to the letter?
4. What are the particulars of this pattern? And how do we uncover this pattern from the pages of Scripture?
5. What should our attitude be toward those who believe who have a different understanding of the pattern than we do?
6. I am sending this in response to your article regarding "a pattern". Please address the above questions because from what I have seen there are many within the church of Christ who make the claim of a "pattern" but never can can details of what the pattern consist of...

Answers
Keith Sharp

Dear Randy,
Thanks for your good series of questions. I will strive to give a plain answer from the Scriptures for each one.

(1) To deny the New Testament is a pattern that we must closely follow is to deny plain statements of Scriptures. "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, NKJV). The Greek term translated "pattern" means "an example, pattern... the pattern placed before one to be held fast and copied, model... 2 Tim.i.13" (Thayer, 645), "model, example... Rather in the sense standard 2 Ti 1:13..." (Arndt and Gingrich, 856). Other translations render it "form" (KJV), "pattern" (ASV, ESV), or "standard" (NASB). The phrase "Hold fast" means "to hold fast, keep" (Thayer, 266), "keep, preserve" (Arndt and Gingrich, 332). It is translated "Hold fast" (KJV, "Hold" (ASV), "Follow" (ESV), and "Retain" (NASB).

(2) Yes, God will judge us on whether or not we follow His pattern. Noah is our exampel of salvation by faith (Hebrews 11:7), and he was saved by obeying all the pattern God gave him (Genesis 6:13-15, 22; 7:1). Moses' construction of the tabernacle is our example (Hebrews 8:1-5), and Moses had to "make all things accoring to the pattern" (Exodus 25:8-9, 40; 39:43; 40:34-35). This pattern of "sound words" is composed of apostolic wors (2 Timothy 1:13), which is the same as the doctrine (teaching) of Christ (John 16:13-15; Galatians 1:11-12). "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son" (2 John verse 9, ESV). Your question assumes we are not capable of correctly understanding the divine plan, a false assumption. "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:17). As to sinning through ignorance, the Lord warned, "And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch" (Matthew 15:14).

(3) This pattern includes great spiritual principles that are the basis of divine law (cf. Matthew 22:34-40), but we must also follow the details the Lord demands (Matthew 23:23). Nothing the Lord teaches us to do is unimportant; we must obey Him in all things (Matthew 28:18-20).

(4) This pattern consists of the sound words of the apostles (2 Timothy 1:13). To find the divine pattern on any subject, read all the Lord teaches on that subject (Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). The sum total of apostolic teaching on any subject is the divine pattern on that subject.

(5) First, we mst realize that, since the Word of God is truth (John 17:17), and truth by its nature is consistent with itself, if we understand teh will of God, which we can (Ephesians 5:17), we will understand it alike. Paul expected and demanded that Christians believe, teach and practice the same thing (1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:11-16). We must not share in the sins of those who fail to follow the pattern (Ephesians 5:11). We should seek to lead them from their error (James 5:19-20). If they persist in their sins or continue to trouble the congregation with their errors, we must mark and avoid them (2 Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 16:17-18; Titus 3:10-11; 2 John verses 10-11).

(6) I am not in the business of writing a creed. The New Testament is our only authoritative statement of beliefs, i.e., creed. If you want to know what I believe the New Testament pattern is on any subject, ask me about that subject. I will plainly tell you what I believe the Lord teaches on the subject and cite a list of all the passages I know on the subject. If you think I am mistaken, all you have to do is show me what I have left out or how I ahve misused a passage. If we are both honest, we will eventually understand the will of God alike on that subject.

Works Cited

Arndt, W.F. and F.W. Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament
The Bible,
.....American Standard Version
.....English Standard Version>
.....King James Version
.....New American Standard Bible
.....New King James Version
Thayer, J.H., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament