How much should Christians seek to follow biblical patterns for life and the church? Following biblical patterns includes following specific examples that define God’s instructions. Patterns are the order, designs, models, and examples found in the Bible. This “pattern theology” or “patternism” has been rejected by many church leaders, because the biblical examples exclude contradictory practices among various churches. If believers accepted the idea of the following the examples in the Bible, many teachings and practices would change.
Christ is the Pattern
Christ is the Christian example. Jesus’s example of humility is incomparable. Jesus set the example of being a servant by washing His disciples’ feet. Jesus said in John 13:15, “For I have given you a pattern [example], that you should do as I have done to you.” Jesus set the example, the model, the pattern to be imitated. Christ’s Spirit spoke through Peter saying in 1 Peter 2:21, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example [pattern], that you should follow His steps.” The idea of following in one’s steps is to follow one’s example, and in this case, Christians follow the imprinted pattern of Jesus’ steps. Christ being the pattern is the basis of “pattern theology.”
Without the pattern examples of Jesus Christ, then the Bible would be lists of commands with some advice and poetry dispersed across accounts of history. The Bible is not merely list of commands but also of examples, virtues, and principles. The New Testament is a text containing Christ’s words whether from His mouth or from His Spirit through His apostles and prophets (John 6:63; 16:12–13). By this, the New Testament and the whole of the Bible is a book of virtues among other things. These virtues are defined by commands and examples, and these commands are also defined by example. There is a form of pattern theology in the Bible.
Imitating Biblical Examples
Those who follow a pattern or example are imitators. The Greek for imitate is mimetes, and according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, to imitate is “to follow as a pattern, model, or example.” Christians are to be imitators. This means that Christians mimic the form, the model, and the design given by Christ. Third John 11 says, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” Christians are commanded to imitate the good behavior of others. In Hebrews 6:12, the apostle urged, “imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Elders are commanded to be examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:3). All Christians are also to be examples for others (1 Pet 2:12). Paul praised the Thessalonian Christians for being examples to all of Greece (1 Thess 1:7). Are believers going to be inerrant imitators? No. Salvation does not rest on being flawless, but rather that believers walk in the light and therefore diligently striving to imitate Jesus (1 John 1:7). As is seen throughout the New Testament, imitating and walking are one and the same.
Biblical Examples and Principles
In considering following Christ’s pattern, Christians are likely to ask, “What must Christians imitate?” Christians imitate character and virtue. Every New Testament command has a virtuous principle behind it. Therefore, Christians define virtues, which are principles, by God’s commands and examples defining these commands. Defining examples need no specific citations, because the New Testament is filled with these. However, observe the instruction of Christ’s Spirit regarding the virtue of humility. Paul referred to Jesus coming as a lowly servant in Philippians 2. In Philippians 2:5, Paul commanded, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Jesus gave up His position in heaven to come here as a servant and His example defined humility. His pattern is binding to the instruction to be lowly and to esteem others higher than ourselves (Phil 2:3–4).
The instructions of the New Testament are embedded within specific situations as give examples and application to Christ’s commands. This is common in life. When an employer gives his employees work and shows them how to do what he has instructed, then he expects those workers to follow his example as much as his example is a good. However, Jesus’s example is always good. Throughout life, people set good and bad examples. Children define the roles of father, mother, husband, and wife by their parents’ examples. Christians learn from the examples of the New Testament about what is means to be a Christian. In like manner, the New Testament sets positive examples that define how believers obey God’s commands.
Biblical Examples for Life
The Bible is not just Sunday morning stories, but rather defining narratives of faithful and righteous living. These biblical accounts define Christ, faith, and obedience. When it comes to following the biblical pattern, many teach “church pattern” and the others say “no pattern.” “No pattern” is wrong. Only “church pattern” is incomplete when not considering patterns for Christian living.
The New Testament establishes a pattern of Christian living. In Ephesians 5:1–2, Paul reasoned, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” In Ephesians 5:3–7, Paul defined further how one should be an imitator of God and walking in love. Therefore, Christians imitate by putting off the sins of sexual immorality and filthy speaking. This virtuous living must still be carried into our homes, workplaces, and stores even though the text does not explicitly command this in the context. The apostle Paul has more to say about following the pattern of Christian living. Paul exhorted in Philippians 3:17, “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” The pattern is set not just by Paul but in all who walk.
Examples and patterns a synonymous and interchangeable being translated from the same Greek words tupos, hupotuposis, and hupodeigma. How can Christians know this pattern by the examples of the apostles and others throughout the New Testament? Christians read of their lives in light of their obedience to God’s commands. Christ’s Spirit said through Paul in Philippians 4:9, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” By seeing, one can only receive an example — a defining of pattern of life.
Imitating Christ and Observing Apostolic Traditions
Noting the examples of these who imitate Christian living, these also practice the pattern of doctrine, worship, and government of the church that Christ built. In the New Testament, Christians imitate the apostles’ doctrines and traditions (Acts 2:41–47). Paul also instructed in 1 Corinthians 11:1–2, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.” Paul commanded imitation by keeping apostolic traditions delivering modesty in prayer and the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11.
Christ’s example in instituting the Lord’s Supper defined what how Christians observe the memorial. In Paul’s instruction of the Lord’s Supper, he used Jesus’s example and pattern to command the memorial of the Lord’s Supper. What gives Paul’s example authority? If Paul were not an example of Christ, then his example would have no authority (1 Cor 11:1–2). Paul also said in 1 Corinthians 4:16–17, “Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.”
Binding Examples
The New Testament scriptures give Christians the examples they need to obey Christ’s commands. For example, there is no command that one must use water for baptism in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:38). However, there is a pattern and there are examples, which clearly define baptism in Jesus name to consist of water (Acts 10:47–48). Acts 8:36–38 and 10:47–48 is a binding example to the commands to be baptized for the releasing of sins.
Pattern of Sound Words
The Scriptures establish a pattern in words. Christ’s Spirit spoke in 2 Timothy 1:13 saying, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” For which, Timothy is instructed to keep those things committed to him, which certainly included instructions regarding church government in 1 Timothy 3. In fact, no Apostolic teaching or practice can be excluded from “the pattern of sound words.” These sound words are essential, so that salvation depends on following the pattern.
In Romans 6:17–18, Paul expressed, “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form [pattern] of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” The word “form” is the Greek word tupos being a pattern and an example. What form of doctrine is this? This is none other than the death to sin, burial by baptism, and resurrection unto newness of life in Romans 6:4–6.
Conclusion
When believers consider Christ’s pattern of words regarding baptism, church government, marriage, church music, and the Lord’s Supper, do we consider His words to be perfect and complete? Is there a greater pattern or any higher pattern of words? Should we even think to alter and change that pattern of words? Can anyone find a better example in Christ and His pattern shown through the lives of His followers in the Scriptures? Pattern theology has a point. There is a pattern that Christians must follow and it is not the pattern of the world or the inventions of men and denominations. There are no greater examples than those found in the scriptures.
In conclusion, the Christian’s pattern is Christ, His life, and His words. Pattern theology must consist of our lives imitating Christ along with imitating His church that He built and bought with His blood.
Scott, you have no problem contacting other churches and logging onto other websites and telling everyone how they are wrong. I’ve seen your name all over the web at other sites. You impose your will on them as if you have the truth and they don’t. Yet when someone comes to your site to have a discussion you start bashing them. I will be glad to inform the sites where I see your name and give them evidence of your egotistic attitude that you take everywhere you go. You are condescending and self-righteous. And you are keeping fledgling Christians from experiencing the spiritual aspects of Christianity because you refuse to see the part of the bible that refers to this higher relationship with Truth that mature Christians were meant to live by.
You have not heard the last from me. You can ban me from your site but I will expose you for the way you arrogantly approach others and attempt to correct them with your false doctrine of works, and the damage you do to the power of Grace. I spent 35 years in the coC and have seen those like you who are obsessed with correcting others of their wrongness. I was one of them until I finally woke up. I lost my family because I saw things differently than them, which is typical in the coC. Everyone who disagrees gets ostracized. So be it. I’d rather be w/o my family than to have to put up with false teaching that does nothing more than make the believer bigger in their own eyes. Arrogance runs rampant in the coC.
I have invited you to contact me by email at execuphil@gmail.com but you have not. We can discuss this matter privately, or if you prefer to do it publicly then so be it. You will deal with me again, I promise. I am as determined to expose you as you are determined to correct others.
It’s your choice.
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Apparently you have not understood that one must die before he is reborn. When you die it is Christ living in you, not you following a pattern. You are dead! It is Christ who is now alive in you. You become the dwelling place that Christ live by His Spirit. How can you (Scott) follow a pattern if your dead to the flesh? The flesh follows patterns, laws, rules and commands. The Spirit uses you to carry out His will, not you doing it for Him. Can you not grasp this NT principle?
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When Christ lives in you you are the one being led by the Spirit, who lives in you, not the mechanical practice of following a pattern. The difference is subtle, but very important. As a Christian why don’t you know that? Have you not been transformed of mind? I wonder!
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There is nothing wrong with following a pattern until the pattern becomes the main objective of your quest.
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What about Christ’s pattern?
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What about it? I don’t live by a pattern. When God’s Spirit comes alive in you then He becomes your guide, not a pattern. Read Romans 8. Nothing in Romans 8 infers a pattern. Pre -conversion has a place for patterns, rules, regs, laws, commands, etc. But not post-conversion. You don’t seem to make a distinction between pre-conversion and post-conversion. Maybe you don’t understand it. Or maybe you don’t believe in it. The Galatians certainly had a problem with it, which is why Paul was frustrated with them.
Please consider these passages:
Galatians 3:3
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Romans 7:6
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
The pattern you are promoting is more about law than the Spirit. When following a pattern you are literally following written instructions, which is totally that of a works theology.
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Why would I quit following Christ?
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So what? The objective of NT Christianity is to become transformed of mind to become a new creation. Your pattern theology does not create that.
Read the whole NT, not just a scripture here and there to support a preconceived idea that patternism is our objective.
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Hey guys, check this out! The most important thing is that everything be doing to edify the brethren (build up the Temple of God–the Church and Body of Christ). The Bible says WISDOM builds the house and LOVE BUILDS UP. God is love and proof of our discipleship is based up on THIS truth–Love God and Love others. This is the royal law of the Kingdom. Now if this post was not written from the motive that you wanted to share something with people you love then it is waste of time. I’ve read this post a few years ago. And I do not think that love was lacking here. On the other end, there is no need to subtly attack each other over who got it right and who didn’t. The Scriptures says the proof of our belief in the truth is how we demonstrate it in love towards one another. Truth produces maturity, which produces PERFECTED LOVE and this is HOW we know that we are in Christ.
“But whoso keepeth His word [Thy Word is TRUTH], in him [in YOU] verily [truthfully] is the LOVE of God PERFECTED [perfected love is defined as ‘Love your enemies … That ye may be the CHILDREN of your Father … if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? … Be ye therefore PERFECT (and love your enemies and those you don’t agree with), even as your Father (who doesn’t agree with what we do, but STILL loves us ‘while were were yet enemies’ which is in heaven is perfect.’]: hereby KNOW we that we are in Him [IN CHRIST].” (1 John 2:5).
If what we teach doesn’t produce LOVE then the fruit of love will wax cold as the love of so many has already happened. Fall IN love with each other guys. That’s the TRUTH about what we are to teach. Christ is coming back to a TREE with FRUIT that shall remain and abide with FAITH, HOPE, AND TRUTH. Only true teaching and doctrine can produce these things of the Kingdom that CANNOT be shaken.
Paul said all this arguing just INCREASES MORE ungodliness. And personally it breaks my heart that you are doing this PUBLICLY for the world to make a mockery out of our faith. If you all have problems take it off GOD’S blog and go to each other in private email or pick up the phone.
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him ALONE.”
The Scriptures say,
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law BEFORE the unjust [or publicly on a blog], and not before [in PRIVATE with] the saints?
2 Do ye not know that the saints [YOU, I, WE] shall judge THE WORLD? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters [This what you guys are arguing about is a SMALL matter to Paul]?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to THIS life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5 I SPEAK THIS TO YOUR SHAME. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that [like PUBLICLY ON BLOGS] before the unbelievers.
7 Now therefore there is UTTERLY a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? (1 Cor. 6)
Act like men of God with the righteousness that EXCEEDS THE ARGUMENTS and DIVISIONS BETWEEN PHARISEES AND SADDUCEE and take it off God’s blog. I know this is Scott’s blog, but it belongs to God. So treat it as such and give NOT “great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme” His name and YOU–His children before others.
Don’t take this as offense, but as a show of tough love and loving tough because I LOVE the people of God toooooo much to see this stuff happening on the internet and in real life all over the planet. We got much bigger issues to deal with as Kings and Priests of God in this life.
Love you guys! If you have any questions, or if I can help you in any way, feel free to write.
May the LORD bless you, and keep you: may the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: may the LORD lift up His presence upon you, and give you peace, in the name of Jesus Christ WHO IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WHOLE WORLD! Amen!
Ricardo
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Titus 1:13 and Matthew 23 have to Phil. Love chastens (Heb. 12:5-11), but he needs chastening for his false accusations. He has been admonished gently, but his admonishes have gone beyond twice (Titus 3:10). His comments are not welcome with his malicious spirit.
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Then he is willingly disobeying a direction command (order) of General and Lord Christ. Good oversight on your part Scott. Keep up the awesome work.
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Ricardo, I don’t live by commands. The bible teaches to live by Christ’s Spirit in you. Yes or No? Read Romans 8.
Obedience to commands is for those who have not been transformed of mind. Yes, there is a place for that, but that is before mind transformation. Do some research on this matter. Don’t take my word for anything. Find out for yourself.
Ephesians 2:15
by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,
2 Timothy 1:14
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Was this malicious?
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I came on here because I got an email that the responses didn’t sound peaceful. Blessed are the peace makers. Because it is obvious that their is no peace here. And even obedience to the commands of Christ by faith to New Covenant Laws of the Spirit. Paul said,
“Jesus Christ, our Lord, through Whom we obtained grace and apostleship for faith-OBEDIENCE among all the nations” (Rom. 1:5).
“For I am not daring to speak any of what Christ does not effect through me for the OBEDIENCE of the nations, in word and work …” (Rom. 15:18).
“… according to the injunction of the eonian God being made known to all nations for faith-OBEDIENCE …” (Rom. 16:26).
“For I write also for this, that I may know your testedness, if you are OBEDIENT in all things” (II Cor. 2:9).
“For the weapons of our warfare are … leading into captivity every apprehension into the OBEDIENCE of Christ, and having all in readiness to avenge every disobedience, whenever your OBEDIENCE may be completed” (II Cor. 10:4-6).
“… His slaves you are, whom you are obeying, whether of Sin for death, or of OBEDIENCE for righteousness” (Rom. 6:16).
“For your OBEDIENCE reached out to all” (Rom. 16:19).
“And his compassions for you are superabundantly more, having a recollection of the OBEDIENCE of you all, as, with fear and trembling you receive him” (II Cor. 7:15).
Sounds like Paul was obedient to the commands and laws of the Spirit of Christ in Him by faith, hope, and love!
“Having confidence in your OBEDIENCE, I write to you” (Phil. 21).
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Thank you, Ricardo. May we have peace. God bless you for your concern and good words.
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Welcome brother Scott. Keep preaching. I teach a lot of finding patterns in the Scriptures that point from the types and shadows to the reality in Christ. God bless!
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Scott, you can’t be serious. If you see maliciousness in my comments then you need to look at yourself and see that you have created an issue from nothing. I have as much right to admonish you as you have the right to admonish me. What give you the right to be the one who admonished yet can’t accept admonishment himself? You have taught against living directly from the Spirit, which is as wrong as wrong can be, and is against the scriptures you worship. You should be admonished for that alone.
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Scott, be honest with me and point out my false accusations, and show specifically where I have been malicious. Give me details, not generalities.
You have your understanding of truth as and I have mine. I have read the Bible and can support everything I say. I have done so yet you want to admonish that. Based on what? Why should I listen to you teach that following a pattern is the objective of the Christian when the NT clearly states that living by laws, rules and commands disqualifies the believer from grace?
Galatians 5:4
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
You should be admonished for that alone.
There is a difference between living by written commands and living by His laws that are written on our hearts. Read Hebrews and other NT scriptures if you don’t believe it.
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Christ’s Scriptures and His transformation of the mind do not contradict each other. Read the Scriptures above.
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Never said they did. Yet you can live by the scripture without being inwardly transformed. It looks the same on the outside but the content is so much different. You’ve yet to make that distinction.
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Scott, your mindset is what happens when one pays attention to outer form and ignores the inner content of the believer. Your mind is on pattern more than consciousness.
Paul said it best, and you should take heed.
Galatians 6:15 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”
This principle should be given more attention than the pattern issue.
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Read the Scriptures above.
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