Recently, we received some questions concerning “no pattern theology,” and have written a pamphlet that deals with this false teaching. The question that forms the title of this article is one of the questions in the pamphlet. We invite you to contact us and we will send you a copy of the pamphlet free of charge. It is advertised inside.
What is “no pattern theology,” you ask? The following from Mission Magazine explains from one who advocates it:
“The problem with a restoration theology is that it rests on the premise that the mission of the church is to set up a ‘true church’ in which all the details of church life are exactly like they were in a first century world. It functions on the assumption that there is a blueprint or pattern in the New Testament that the church is to reduplicate in each succeeding generation.”
Another writer in the same issue wrote:
I am not suggesting an anarchical approach to Christianity which disregards the authority of Scripture. What I am arguing is that the New Testament cannot legitimately be used as a book of specific rules covering every aspect of the work, worship, and government of the church” (March, 1972).
The above quotes describe the loose and liberal view of the New Testament that I believe is not only unscriptural, but leads quickly to the very thing the writer denies, “an anarchical approach to Christianity which disregards the authority of Scripture.” In essence, anything goes!
The Bible indicates that all God says about any subject constitutes the “pattern” on that subject, the blueprint, if you please, as to all we are to believe and practice. How then “do we uncover a ‘pattern’ from the pages of the Scripture?”
Overall, the New Testament, like the whole Bible, is a book of books. It contains “narrative” or brief biography of Jesus’ life (see Luke 1:1; Jno. 20:30-31; 21:25), a brief “treatise” concerning the spread of Christianity for approximately thirty years (Acts 1:1ff) and letters written to Christians (Romans through Revelation).
As a Jew, Jesus lived under and was submissive to the Old Covenant (I Pet. 2:21-22). This explains why He answered some questions concerning what to do to inherit eternal life as He did (see Matt. 19:16-22; Lk. 10:25ff; et al.), and why He referenced the Old Testament as authoritative to specific questions while He then lived (e.g. Matt. 19:3-8).
However, many of Jesus’ words constituted New Covenant teaching, such as His teaching in Matthew 19:9 on marriage and divorce, when compared to what had just preceded. In His Sermon on the Mount, He contrasted Old Covenant teaching with a backdrop of misapplications from the scribes and Pharisees to His New Covenant teaching (Matt. 5:20-48). He taught concerning the new birth with Nicodemus (Jno. 3), worship not limited to Jerusalem (Jno. 4), matters pertaining to personal sins as well as the authority of the apostles in the church (Matt. 18:15-17; 19:27-28). Of course, the church would not be established until after He died, was raised and ascended into heaven (Acts 2). Therefore, most of what Jesus taught pointed forward in application and constituted the New Covenant that He came to establish with His death (Matt. 26:28; Heb. 10:9-10). From Matthew 7:21-27 and John 12:48, Jesus taught that His own words would judge us in the last day. Though narrative and part biographical, a big part of the “pattern” on various subjects can be seen from Matthew through John.
However, Matthew through John does not contain the whole “pattern.” Jesus stated that He had “many things to say unto” the apostles, but that they were unable to understand and carry out at the time. But the Holy Spirit would reveal final and “all truth” to them (Jno. 16:12-13) which began on Pentecost (Acts 2).
Acts is a specialized narrative and history of the spread of Christianity, giving a few speeches and activities of some of the apostles. Yet, they constitute more than that. Jesus predicted that the apostles would “sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matt. 19:28), therefore their words and actions as “judges” in the early churches constitute inspired “case law,” not only for first century churches, but for all churches everywhere, “even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20).
Romans through Revelation were inspired letters addressed to churches and individual Christians, and complete “all truth” that Jesus said the Spirit would reveal. The writers claimed to speak the words of Christ to the churches (I Cor. 14:37), and not words of their own choosing (I Cor. 2:12-13). Their overall purposes involved giving further instructions in matters of doctrine, reproving false teachings, wrong attitudes and immoral behavior, showing how to correct their errors, and providing instruction that would allow them to grow into mature Christians (II Tim. 3:16-17).
Though each letter was initially sent to specific individuals and churches concerning local circumstances (see I Tim. 1:1-2; Gal. 1:1-2), they were intended to be circulated among others, read in the assemblies (Col. 4:16; I Thess. 5:27), and applied to every circumstance that was related (see I Cor. 1:1-2; 4:17; 7:17; 16:1).
The wisdom of God can be seen in the brevity of the New Testament. Though brief, it is all-sufficient to guide the man of God to “every good work” (II Tim. 3:16-17) and until the end of time (Matt. 24:35; 28:18-20; I Pet. 1:22-25).
How do we know what to do, or “uncover this pattern”? First, Jesus’ teachings, attitudes seen in His actions and words, and His desires are examples for us to follow in every way (see Matt. 7:24-29; Col. 1:27; I Pet. 2:21). Since Jesus said that His words would form the basis of judgment for every person, He implied that His words were authoritative until the end of time (see Matt. 7:21-23; Jno. 12:48). We are to live as if Jesus were living in us by His teachings (Col. 3:1-4; Gal. 2:20). As we often and rightly sing, “He the great example is, and pattern for me.”
After Jesus died for our sins and was raised, He commissioned the apostles to preach His gospel, baptize those they taught, and further teach them all things He commanded them (Matt. 28:18-20). The “all things whatsoever I commanded you” (Matt. 28:20) are the words the apostles spoke and wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Jno. 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:12-13). Those words written and preserved are what we find in Acts and the epistles. Like the words of Jesus, the apostles claimed that their words came ultimately from God and had His authority behind them (I Cor. 14:37). Jesus had stated that when people heard the apostles they heard Him, and when they rejected the apostles, they rejected Him as well as Him who sent Jesus; they rejected God Himself (see Luke 10:16; Matt. 10:40). Being God’s words, the apostles’ letters also constitute the standard by which all will be judged at the last day (Rom. 2:16). They complete the “pattern” which was begun by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Since Jesus and the apostles’ words constitute God’s last message to man (Heb. 1:1-3), we are under obligation to take what they taught, and carry them out as exemplified by faithful men during the first century.
Therefore, whatever the Lord and His apostles taught churches concerning their organization, worship, work, or any other subject applies today! Whatever they taught concerning what we are to do and be as individual Christians applies today!
A plea made years ago to call people back to the authority of the Lord and His Scripture was, “Let us call Bible things by Bible names, and do Bible things by Bible ways.” This is what I Peter 4:11 instructs.
In essence, we are to duplicate New Testament Christianity in our individual lives and as churches of God’s people. We are not to do anything for which we have no authority, but only what comes from the doctrine of Christ (Col. 3:17; II Jno. 9). We then “uncover a ‘pattern’ from the pages of the Scripture.” — Phillip A. Owens
Significance of the “pattern of sound words”
When we learn all God has said about a subject, that is the order or what could be considered the “pattern” on that matter. Paul told Timothy to “hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me” (II Tim. 1:13). Therefore, a particular form or pattern of words was to be taught. David Lipscomb commented: “Paul had taught Timothy the truths of salvation in certain words, and lest the meaning should be perverted the very form of words that he had heard of him should be used. None can be too careful in stating the truths of the Scriptures in the language of the inspired writers. When men cannot convey their thoughts in the words of the Scripture, it is generally because they do not hold sound doctrine” (Commentary on II Timothy, p. 205, Gospel Advocate series). When asked, “What must I do to be saved?” “Pray the sinner’s prayer” or “accept Jesus as your personal savior” are phrases that are not according to the “pattern of sound words.” “Repent and be baptized” is according to the “pattern” (Acts 2:38).
Have you obeyed “the pattern of sound words,” or the traditions of men?– Phillip Owens