BEHOLD THE PATTERN
INTRODUCTION: "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" (Hebrews 8:5)
This passage, as part of the great study of the
book of Hebrews, teaches that there is a pattern for the work of the people
of God. In years past this would have been considered an "article of faith"
among Christians. But in recent years men have arisen who have ridiculed
the contention that there is a pattern for work and worship in the church.
They claim that there is No Pattern found in the New Testament for the
church. This has become such a problem recently that brother Goebel
Music penned a massive work, Behold The Pattern, just to answer
the contention of many of the liberals among us. What does the Bible say
concerning the pattern?
BODY
I. THE OLD TESTAMENT DECLARES THAT THERE WAS
A PATTERN FOR THE WORK OF GOD'S PEOPLE.
A. Some verses which explicitly teach
the concept of a pattern.
1. Exodus 25:9 - "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.
2. Exodus 25:40 - "And see to it that you make
them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.
a. Both passages in Exodus use the same
Hebrew word for pattern. It literally means, "structure; by implication.
a model, resemblance:--figure, form, likeness, pattern, similitude."
3. 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."
a. The word for pattern here literally
means, "a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen),
pattern, to see, seem, sight, visage, vision."
4. Joshua 22:28 - "Therefore we said that it will
be, when they say this to us or to our generations in time to come, that
we may say, 'Here is the replica of the altar of the LORD which our fathers
made, though not for burnt offerings nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness
between you and us.'
a. Same Hebrew word as in Exodus.
B. Three example of the pattern concept
in the Old Testament.
1. Noah and the building of the Ark.
(Genesis 6:13-16) Notice all the details concerning the building of the
Ark.
a. The ark would be made out of gopher
wood.
b. Rooms would be made in it.
c. It would be sealed with pitch both within
and without.
d. There were exact measurements - three hundred
cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high.
e. There would be a single window with a single
door. There would also be three stories.
f. The instructions were exact, clear, and constituted
a pattern for Noah to use in the building of the ark.
g. What was the result? "Thus did Noah; according
to all that God commanded him, so did he." (Genesis 6:22)
2. In Exodus chapter 25 and following
God instructed Moses concerning the building of the tabernacle. In short-
a. In verse nine and forty we are reminded
that it is according to the pattern shown on the Mount.
b. God give directions as to the colors to be
used.
c. In verses 10-22 God gives exact instructions
concerning the Ark of the Covenant. It tells the materials to be used-
gold and shittim wood. It gives exact details of the cherubim on the top
of the Ark.
d. Beginning with verse 23 we read of exact instruction
concerning the table for shewbread, the candlesticks, and all the other
utensils.
3. In Joshua chapter six God instructs Joshua as
to how to take the city of Jericho.
a. Each day the men of war would march
around the city wall once for six day. Seven priests would also carry the
ark.
b. On day seven the men and priest would march
around the city seven time and then the priests were to blow a long blast
on their ram's horns.
c. Verse twenty tells us that the people did
all of these things. What happened? The city walls fell flat.
II. WORD PICTURES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WHICH
TEACH THAT THERE IS A PATTERN FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD TODAY.
A. Use of the Greek word tupos
in the New Testament.
1. It's definition.
a. "A die (as struck), i.e. (by implication.)
a stamp or scar; by anal. a shape, i.e. a statue, (fig.) style or resemblance;
spec. a sampler ("type"), i.e. a model (for imitation) or instance (for
warning):--en- (ex-) ample, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, print.
2. We gather from this definition that it denotes
an exact image to be copied, an exact model to be imitated, an example
that would serve as a warning, a pattern to be copied.
It's use in the English language.
a. Example.
1. 1 Corinthians 10:6 - Now these things
became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after
evil things as they also lusted.
2. 1 Corinthians 10:11 - Now all these things
happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition,
upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
3. Philippians 3:17 - Brethren, join in following
my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
4. 1 Thessalonians 1:7 - so that you became examples
to
all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
5. 2 Thessalonians 3:9 - not because we do not
have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should
follow us.
6. 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.
7. 1 Peter 5:3 - nor as being lords over those
entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
b. Type (Figure - KJV)
1. Romans 5:14 - Nevertheless death
reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according
to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who
was to come.
c. Form.
1. Romans 6:17 - 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.
d. Pattern.
1. Titus 2:7 - "In all things showing
thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness,
gravity, sincerity,"
2. Hebrews 8:5 - "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 showed to thee in the mount."
3. 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,
B. Use of the Greek word hupodeigma in the
New Testament.
1. "A sign suggestive of anything, delineation
of a thing, representation, figure, copy 2) an example: for imitation 2a)
of the thing to be imitated 2b) for a warning, of a thing to be shunned."
a. Example.
1. John 13:15 - "For I have given you
an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
2. Hebrews 4:11 - Let us therefore be diligent
to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
3. 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."
4. James 5:10 - My brethren, take the prophets,
who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
5. 2 Peter 2:6 - and turning the cities of Sodom
and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an
example to those who afterward would live ungodly;
b. Copies (Pattern- KJV).
1. Hebrews 9:23 - Therefore it was necessary
that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified
with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than
these.
III. SOME OTHER PASSAGES WHICH TEACH THAT THERE
IS A PATTERN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
A. Christians are bound to pass on the
truth received by the apostles from Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
1. Matthew 28:18-20
a. Notice that the apostles were commanded
to teach what Jesus had taught them and those disciples in turn would do
the same thing.
2. 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.
a. Notice there were things (truths)
that Paul had taught to Timothy which Timothy was required to pass on to
others.
3. Both these passages teach that there are truths
that the apostles had received, these same truths were to be taught to
the next generation of disciples.
B. Christians are not to look to the words of men
over the words delivered from God.
1. 1 Corinthians 4:6 - Now these things,
brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your
sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that
none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
a. If they were to think of the words
of men above that which is written by Paul and other inspired men, then
that teaches that there are certain particulars that are being taught.
Paul says that they are binding.
C. Christians will be judged by the words of Christ.
1. 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. If the words of Christ are to judge us, then
there are particulars that are binding.
D. Christians are to not either go beyond or change
the truth of God's word.
1. 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. 10 -
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive
him into your house nor greet him; 1 - for he who greets him shares in
his evil deeds.
b. 2 John 9-11 teaches that we will
not have the blessings of God if we do not abide in the doctrine of Christ.
If there is no pattern there is no doctrine to not abide in.
2. 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;
19 - 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.
a. Revelation 22:19-19 teaches, specifically
about the book of Revelation and in general about all inspired words, that
we cannot either add to or take away from the word. If there is no pattern,
then how could we be commanded to not add or take away from the word.
IV. THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT CONTINUING IN THE
PATTERN THAT GOD HAS GIVEN.
A. It makes it necessary for faithful
brethren to cut the ties of fellowship with the erring brother.
1. Romans 16:17 - Now I urge you, brethren,
note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which
you learned, and avoid them.
B. It cuts us off from the blessings
of Almighty God.
1. Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that you
are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ,
to a different gospel, 7 - which is not another; but there are some who
trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8- 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. 9- 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.
2. If one does not continue in the gospel that
Paul had given to them the would be cut off from God. This teaches 1) Paul
taught a pattern for their adherence, and 2) That strict adherence was
necessary for Christians to receive the continued blessings of God, and
3) That abandonment of the pattern meant a loss of salvation.
C. Not continuing in the pattern will cause men
to be deceived by false doctrine.
1. Ephesians 4:14-15 that we should
no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind
of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful
plotting, 15- but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things
into Him who is the head; Christ;
2. Notice several important facts. 1) The potential
of being deceived by false doctrine necessarily implied that there is a
true pattern for religion, 2) One is deceived when he abandons the pattern
God has given, and 3) Continuing in "the truth" guarantees being pleasing
to Christ.
CONCLUSION: We have proved several important principles
in this study.
A. There was a pattern for God's people
under the Old Law.
B. There is a pattern for God's people today.
C. We are not pleasing to God today if we stray
from the pattern given in the New Testament for the church of our Lord.
Let us search the word of God for the pattern that
He has given to us. "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).
1. Prepared for the Second Annual Twin
States Lectureship in Princeton, WV - "Studies in Hebrews, The Exalted
Christ" Delivered on 5/13/95.
Copyright 1999 by Grady
Scott may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.
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