Maintain the Pattern
The cry and wail of so many today is that there is no set pattern or standard to follow. The digressives whimper and whine, sneer and mock, at those who demand that all men follow the Lord’s set of rules; and, that all men can know what those rules are.
THERE IS A PATTERN
There is a PATTERN, despite the cry of liberals and digressives to the contrary. There is a set of rules by which we must live (2 Thessolanians 3:14) and by which we will be judged (John 12:48). The rules (commands, laws) are God’s rules, not man’s rules (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21). All men must learn the God-given rules of life and abide by them or suffer certain and complete destruction (2 Thess. 1:7-9). Notice the following scriptures which speak plainly of God’s pattern.
Paul told Timothy to “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13). The Greek word for “form” means “an outline, sketch, example, pattern” (Thayer). The word is also used in 1 Timothy 1:16 where it is translated “pattern.” “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” Paul serves as an example, a pattern, for those who believe and obey the Lord. Now, is there a pattern or not?
Hebrews 8:5 reads, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” In the Old Testament, Moses had been given instructions by God for building the tabernacle and then warned that he build it, in all respects, “according to the pattern shewed thee in the mount” (Exodus 25:9; Exodus 25:40). The emphasis here is that since God demanded strict adherence to His specific instructions (pattern) in the Old Testament, a law inferior to the New Testament, He most assuredly demands strict adherence to His specific instructions (pattern) in the New Testament, a law superior to the Old Testament. The new law (pattern, rule, standard) is established upon better promises and is a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6); therefore, it demands an even greater respect and obedience.
Romans 6:17 speaks about a “form of doctrine.” “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” The word “form” has to do with a certain stamp, shape, model, pattern. “In the technical sense, the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made” (Thayer). Those in the church at Rome, having obeyed that “form of doctrine” (water baptism), the model or pattern, a certain rule of compliance, were freed from their sins. Their sins were not forgiven before they obeyed the rules of God, they were forgiven after they obeyed the rules — the pattern.
There is such a thing as “sound doctrine.” Sound doctrine is God’s pattern. The laws or rules of God are made “for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:10).
There are certain rules of conduct that those who will be saved are to follow. Paul said, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:9).“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
Those who depart from God’s pattern provoke the wrath of God and bring upon themselves certain destruction (Galations 1:6-9; Romans 3:10-18; Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Thessaloians 1:9; 2 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Peter 3:16).
CLING TO THE PATTERN
We must hold to and continue in the pattern just as the faithful of the first century did. They stood fast in God’s law (1 Peter 5:12; Acts 13:43; Romans 5:2; 1 Corinthians 15:1).
Timothy was told to “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13). All Christians are exhorted, saying, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)” (Hebrews 10:23). The church at Thyatira was told, “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come” (Revolation 2:25). To the church at Philadelphia, we read, “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Revolation 3:11).
When Paul and Barnabas traveled among the churches they had earlier established, we read of them “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). To the churches throughout Galatia, Paul wrote, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle” (2 Thessalonians 2:15).“That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour” (2 Peter 3:2).
GUARD THE PATTERN
We must contend for and guard the pattern. If there is no set standard, this would be unnecessary. However, Jude tells us, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3). The words “earnestly contend” mean to “struggle for.” Why would God have us struggle for that which does not exist? The point is, “the faith,” the system of faith, God’s Way, the law of God, the New Testament, the pattern, is to be maintained. It is so important that we are exhorted to struggle (contend) to maintain it. Therefore we must uphold it and guard it closely.
“But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ” (Acts 9:22). Paul used the Scriptures (the pattern) to confound the Jews. The word “confound” means to be in disorder and uproar. He proved from the Scriptures (God’s set order, instructions, pattern) that Jesus is the Christ. If the Bible is so powerful, it surely must be guarded and upheld. Notice other passages on the subject. “And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks” (Acts 18:4). “For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ” (Acts 18:28).
Many were the occasions when the Gospel was upheld by exposing those who had violated it and demanding that men keep its commandments. “To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Galatians 2:5). “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed” (Galatians 2:11). Paul did this because Peter had violated the pattern. Those who would not repent were withdrawn from (1 Corinthians 5) and/or “marked” (Romans 16:17; 1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 1:15; 2 Timothy 2:17).
The church at Philippi was told, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27).
DON’T FORSAKE THE PATTERN
We must not leave nor forsake the pattern. “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines...” (Hebrews 13:9).“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14).
Do you love the pattern, the old Jerusalem way, the Lord’s Way? Jeremiah was commanded to write, “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein” (Jeremiah 6:16).
Will you do the will of the Lord or your own will? Will you seek to follow the pattern or refuse to do so as those of Jeremiah’s day? The choice is yours.