Hold Fast The Pattern

Author : Keith Sharp

IntroductionSeveral 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 IsThe 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 IsThe 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 PatternThe 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).

AttitudesThe 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).

ConclusionThe 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?

——————-

Works Cited

Thayer, Joseph H., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.
Vine, W.E., An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.