Following the Pattern - Part 1 Getting more common to hear that it does not matter how you worship and serve God. It used to be just denominations that said it doesn't matter. Now it is getting too com mon to hear brethren say we are free to worship like we want to. Those who insist on following the Word are ridiculed as gnat-strainers, legalists and Pharisees. There is nothing wrong with straining out gnats. Jesus commended the Pharisees for being concerned with details. He condemned them for neglecting the weightier matters of the law. What part of God's Word are we free to ignore? What part is not important? How can we say we truly love God when we refuse to follow what He says? In the opening pages of the Bible, we are told of both acceptable and rejected worship with Cain and Abel. Both believed in God, both offered sacrifices, but Abel followed directions and Cain did not. Moses was told to follow the pattern for the tabernacle. Heb. 8:1-6. It was to serve as a copy and shadow and God wanted it to be made exactly right. God gave many details given concerning the construction of the tabernacle in Exo. 25f. "Pattern" in Heb. 8:5 is from "Tupos" {too'-pos} 1) the mark of a stroke or blow, print 2) a figure formed by a blow or impression 3) an example, the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." Acts 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, (Hebrews 8:5) 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Philippians 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. Titus 2:7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 1 Peter 5:3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. Romans 6:16-17 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righ teousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. Hupotuposis {hoop-ot-oop'-o-sis} - an outline, an example, pattern 1 Timothy 1:16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 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. God Has Always Had a Pattern Exodus 25:8-9 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it. Ark, Table of Showbread, Golden Lampstand Exodus 25:40 And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain. Exodus 26:30 And you shall raise up the tabernacle according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain. Numbers 8:4 Now this workmanship of the lampstand was hammered gold; from its shaft to its flowers it was hammered work. According to the pattern which the Lord had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand. Acts 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, 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." According To "According To" is used at least 661 times in OT in reference to instructions of God. Genesis 6:22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. Genesis 7:5 And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him. Exodus 12:35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. Exodus 17:1 Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the Wilderness of Sin, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. Exodus 39:42 According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. Exodus 31:6-11 And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab... and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all who are gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle -- the table and its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base -- the garments of ministry, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests, and the anointing oil and sweet incense for the holy place. According to all that I have commanded you they shall do. Leviticus 10:7 You shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you." And they did according to the word of Moses. Exodus 40:15-16 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to Me as priests; for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations. Thus Moses did; according to all that the Lord had commanded him, so he did. Exodus 36:1 And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded." Numbers 9:5 And they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month, at twilight, in the Wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did. Numbers 9:12 They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it. Numbers 9:20 So it was, when the cloud was above the tabernacle a few days: according to the command of the Lord they would remain encamped, and according to the command of the Lord they would journey. Deuteronomy 1:3 Now it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that the Lord had given him as commandments to them, Joshua 1:7-8 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 4:10 So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the Lord had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over. 1 Kings 16:34 In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation with Abiram his firstborn, and with his youngest son Segub he set up its gates, according to the word of the Lord, which He had spoken through Joshua the son of Nun. 1 Kings 17:5 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 1 Kings 17:15-16 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah. 2 Kings 23:16 As Josiah turned, he saw the tombs that were there on the mountain. And he sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar, and defiled it according to the word of the Lord which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words. 1 Chronicles 11:3 Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. Then they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel. 1 Chronicles 15:11-13 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites... and said unto them... "sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel, unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye bare it not at the first, Jehovah our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not according to the ordinance." (ASV) Ezra 6:14 So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel... Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Jonah 3:3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. 1. What difference does it makes who carries the Ark or how they do it? Ask David and Uzzah. 1 Samuel 6:1-7 1 Chronicles 15:13 For because ye bare it not at the first, Jehovah our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not according to the ordinance. (ASV) 2. What difference does it make whether you follow the instructions of God exactly? Ask the prophet who was sent to Jeroboam in 1 Kings 13. 3. What difference does it make if you do most of what God but do not follow His commands exactly? Ask Saul after he spared Agag. 4. What difference does it make if you don't follow God's instructions exactly as long as you get the results you are looking for? Ask Moses after he got water out of a rock in Numbers 20. Jeremiah 11:1-4 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, "Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant which I commanded your fathers in the day I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, 'Obey My voice, and do according to all that I command you; so shall you be My people, and I will be your God.' We Must be like Micaiah 1 Kings 22:14 And Micaiah said, "As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak." Faith means doing according to the Words of God. Joshua 6:3 You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 2 Kings 5:13-14 And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'? So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. We Must Search for the Old Paths, Not Create New Ones Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the Lord: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' The Greatest Pattern of All Hupogrammos {hoop-og-ram-mos'} 1) a writing copy, including all the letters of the alphabet, given to beginners as an aid in learning to draw them. 2) an example Research on this word suggested the though that if and when the student would do the very best that he could to imitate the posted letters, that the teacher would take the student by the hand and help him or her to do a better job in writing the letters. Roy Deavers, Biblical Notes, Vol. XV, May 1981, pgs. 1-2 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. . Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc Following the Pattern - Part 2 God has always had a pattern for us to follow. Man has never been free to do as he pleases when it comes to serving God. New Testament Acts 3:22-23 For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. "Destroy" or "Destroyed", "Destroying" etc., is used 51 times in the KJV. This is the only use of the Greek word "Exolothreuo" {ex-ol-oth-ryoo'-o}. "to destroy out of its place, destroy utterly, to exterminate." Not only did Jesus give many commands personally, He also sent the Spirit to guide the apostles in all truth. John 16:12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. John 13:20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. "According To" is still the Standard in the New Testament Romans 2:2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. Romans 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 10:1-3 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. Romans 16:25-26 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. 2 Corinthians 13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction. Galatians 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Ephesians 3:10-11 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 4:22-24 ...Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Colossians 3:9-10 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 2 Timothy 1:8-9 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 2 Timothy 2:5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? Hebrews 8:8-9 Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah -- not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt... James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; 1 Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. 2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 2 John 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. The Standard We Are Not to Follow Galatians 1:11-12 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers. Jude 16-18 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. We Must Follow The Pattern! Judges 17:6, 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Matthew 7:13-14 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. John 12:48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him -- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. Galatians 1:6-8 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Philippians 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 1 Timothy 1:3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia -- remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine. 1 Timothy 1:10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 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. 2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 4:6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 2 Timothy 4:2-3 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers. Titus 1:7-9 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick- tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. Titus 1:12-13 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, Titus 2:1-2 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience. Titus 2:7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility. Titus 3:10-11 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 John 9-11 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. People Want to Adapt the Scriptures for Our Times Did the all-knowing, all wise all seeing God not understand our problems when He delivered His Word? Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Contend strenuously in defense of. root of word is what we get agony from. Must always fight, defend the Word, there will always be those who want to destroy the pattern, will always be those who do not love the truth and must be stopped. 1. Has this stopped being true? Has anything changed? John 12:48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him -- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 2. Is this day still something to be concerned about? Romans 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. 3. Is there anything else that we need? Or was this just for those in the first century? 2 Peter 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4. Was this just for the First Century Christians? 2 John 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. We can't change anything. Passing of time does not change anything. God gave instructions concerning the movement of the Ark. in Numbers. Approx. 450 years passed before Uzzah. 1 Chronicles 15:13-15 For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order." 14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. 15 And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD. We are saved when we follow The Pattern Romans 6:17-18 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc Following the Pattern In Hebrews 8:5, we are reminded that Moses was instructed to build the Tabernacle, "according to the pattern shown you on the mountain". The construction of the Tabernacle was not left to the imagination of men. God gave very detailed instructions concerning its design, and He expected Moses to follow the pattern exactly. In Exodus 25:9, God told Moses, "According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it." The instructions covered details such as the type of wood that was to be used, the rings to be used for carrying the Ark of the Covenant, the size of the mercy seat, the engraving that was to be on the golden lampstand, the materials and colors of the curtains and a multitude of other details. Stephen reminded the Jews of the first century that Moses was told, "to make it according to the pattern that he had seen" (Acts 7:44). Not only was Moses to follow God's instructions exactly, all of Israel was expected to continue to follow God's instructions concerning the Tabernacle. Over 400 years later, Uzzah was struck dead by God because he touched the Ark of the Covenant instead of carrying it with poles through its rings as God told Moses (2 Samuel 6:1-7). God has always expected man to follow His instructions. When He told Noah to build the ark 300 cubits long, Noah was not free to build it 275 cubits nor 310. For Noah to be obedient, he had to build the ark 300 cubits long. When Joshua took over the leadership of Israel from Moses, he was told, "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (Joshua 1:7-8). Once again, the Bible plainly teaches that God's people were to follow His Word without any alteration at all. He has given us a pattern to follow. God fully understands that, "the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). Instead of allowing man to choose which way he thinks is best, God gave man complete instructions covering everything in life so we now have everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Anytime we fail to follow God's directions, chaos will soon follow. This can be seen from the book of Judges. This book covers one of the most troubled times in the history of Israel. The cause of the trouble is summed up in two verses. Both Judges 17:6 and 21:25 say, "...everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Instead of studying God's instructions through Moses at Sinai, they simply did what they wanted to do. The result was that Israel was frequently defeated by their enemies and they were even involved in civil war between their tribes! Today, we live in a society that exalts the idea of each doing what is right in his own eyes. It is not unusual to hear people say, "it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere." They never give any scriptural reference to back up this claim because there isn't any. The Scriptures continually remind us that it does make a difference what we believe and practice. It always makes a difference whether we follow the pattern delivered by God or the commandments of men. Jesus told us that if we follow the com mandments of men, our worship is in vain (Matthew 15:8-9). The apostle John taught, "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9). When people say it doesn't make any difference what you believe, they are saying it doesn't make any difference whether you follow God or not! Since when did it not matter what God says? The need to follow God's instructions just as He commanded is so vital that Paul wrote, "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:6-9). Does this sound like the apostle Paul held to the view that "it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere"? Not only was there a pattern given for the construction of the tabernacle, there is a pattern given for the church. We are held accountable whether we follow this pattern or not. Paul reminded the Romans they were freed from sin because they had, "obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered" (Romans 6:17). They weren't free to choose to pick which doctrine they would follow like many believe today, but to be freed from sin they had to follow the doctrine delivered by the apostles. Paul told Timo thy to, "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you" (1 Timothy 4:16). It is amazing to see how careless so many are with doctrine today. They have fully accepted Satan's lie that it doesn't make any difference what we believe as long as we are sincere. Instead of being free to believe what we want, the apostle Paul's words still read, "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which y ou have heard from me..." (2 Timothy 1:13). For other references that show the necessity of following God's pattern, see 1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 4:6, 13; 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 2:1; 1 Peter 4:11. Today, multitudes of churches are blatantly ignoring the need to follow God's pattern. They want to look at the Bible as a book of suggestions they can take or leave rather than commandments from the Almighty Creator who has all authority. There is space for only a very few examples of this rebellion. The Lord said He would build His church (Matthew 16:18). Acts 20:28 tells us the Lord purchased the church with His own blood. We can read of the establishing of this blood bought church in the New Testament. The Lord was adding the saved to His church on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:47). Since the Lord bought His church in the first century, what gives any man the right to begin another church of any kind? Are we going to have the audacity to suggest that the Lord's church is not good enough for us? Where do you find the pattern for the modern denominations in the Word of God? You can search the Bible from cover to cover, and you will find absolutely nothing except condemnation concerning all denominations built by men. In the Bible, we can read how God designed His church to have elders to lead the flock and they are to be aided by younger men called deacons. What gives man the right to eliminate the elders God ordained and make the deacons to be the leaders of the church, contrary to God's instructions? God designed the church so that each local congregation would be self-ruling. There is no organization in the New Testament higher than the local congregation. The head of the church is Jesus Christ who is sitting on the right hand of the Father in heaven. Any church that has any other headquarters other than this is not the Lord's church. What gives the Catholics the right to build the Vatican? Where do the Jehovah Witnesses get the authority to form the Watchtower Society? Who gave the Lutherans permission to form their synods? By what authority did men originate the Southern Baptist conven tion? We would do well to remember the warning of our Lord, "every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted" (Matthew 15:13). When is the last time you heard the words of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians taught in a modern church when he taught, "...Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you... But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment" (1 Corinthians 11:22, 34). Not only are these passages somehow "overlooked", many modern churches have so rejected the spiritual food that is to feed the church, that much of their time together is spent feasting on physical food. Not only do they ignore God's instruction concerning the place for eating, they ignore what He says about physical exercise. Paul told Timothy, "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come" (1 Timothy 4:8). Does this sound like Paul was busy trying to get a chur ch softball team started? Another serious problem in many modern churches is that even though they recognize that all spiritual blessings are found in Christ, they will not teach what a person must do to get in Christ. There are multitudes of verses that teach about the blessings we can have if we are in Christ, but there are only two verses in the Bible that tell us how we can get into Christ where all of these blessings are found. They are Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27. Both of them teach that we are baptized into Christ. Modern teachers can twist and pervert all they want, but God's Word still says we are baptized into Christ! Do we want to follow God's pattern or man's? Colossians 2:8 warns us, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc