How to Find the Biblical Pattern?
Accepting that the scriptures do contain a pattern is only half the problem. Since it is obvious that everything the Bible says is not a pattern (for instance, even though David committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered Uriah (this is not a pattern for acceptable behavior), then we must know how to find the pattern or rather how to establish authority for faith and practice.
Direct statements found in the Bible are included in the divine pattern. They may take several forms. They may take the form of commands. Peter required of the persons on Pentecost: “Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you” (Acts 2:38). There should be no question as to the need to comply with that instruction when presented in the imperative mood. Direct statements may be spoken as prohibitions. When the Lord says “Thou shalt not” do thus and so, we know to leave that alone. John said, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (1 Jn. 2:15). That is a clear prohibition, and, although we may have some question concerning application to particulars in our personal circumstances, we have no problem understanding the statement itself. Direct statements are sometimes presented as declarations of fact. When the Lord reveals that certain items are identified by God as “works of the flesh” and that “they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:16-21), it does not take a Ph.D. to figure out that one must not commit fornication or any other thing on God’s list. These facts made known by God set forth his views of what we may and/or may not do. They therefore establish what His authoritative will is regarding those things (a pattern).
Second, Sometimes Christ spoke by way of Illustration. In His personal teaching, he told both true stories and parables. He expected men to follow the illustrations seen in His own conduct (cf. 1 Pet. 2:21-24). He also ordered us to follow the examples approved by those who were under the direct supervision of the Holy Spirit in providing instruction to the first century Christians (cf. Phil. 4:9; 3:17). We know what we should do today because we read of God’s approval of men? doing those things when he was communicating by direct inspiration. We also learn what not to do by observing what God disapproved. We take the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week because that is the time God approved the church’s coming together to remember Him in that observance (Acts 20:7). We use the name “Christian” because Christ evidenced his approval of that term (Acts 11:26). We are immersed in baptism because the act of immersion was approved, both in the term selected to identify it (baptizo: to dip, plunge, submerge, immerse) and in the very careful description of its action in the case of the Ethiopian (Acts 8:38). These approved examples set a pattern for our activity when (1) there is sufficient scriptural evidence to establish that the example is harmonious with all other teaching and (2) uniform with other related examples in the New Testament, (3) when there is sufficient scriptural evidence of relevance, (4) when there is scriptural evidence that the example is not simply incidental, and (5) when there is scriptural evidence that the application of the example is universal to all believers in every age and nation.
Sometimes Christ authorizes by forced conclusions. Some things are required to accomplish other things. The authority to provide a place to meet is required by the command for saints to assemble. The authority to so act must not simply be based, however, upon what we would like to do. Some use this area of authorization as a ‘catchall” for most anything. We are not free to make pure assumptions or seek rationalization for what we want to do in the name of religion. This area is important, but it must be carefully guarded. Actions authorized, as forced conclusions must not add to or subtract from any requirements of God (Rev. 22:18,19). They must be within the realm of lawful activity (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23). They must not be precluded by God’s specific instructions and they must edify or build up the church, not tear it down or cause some to sin (1 Cor. 10:32,33).
In a way, the silence of the scriptures serves as a pattern as well. We must learn to respect the silence of the scriptures as prohibitory, rather than as giving us a license to do whatever we please. Since the scriptures do not expressly say, “thou shalt not” some believe that they are at liberty to do whatever pleases them. This is a grave mistake. With the same sort of reasoning modern religionists are justifying all types of fanciful programs. It is, however, no surprise. Once one opens the floodgate, high waters are sure to follow. The scriptures clearly forbid men to go beyond that which is written (Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18,19). To act where there is no command, approved example, declarative statement, or necessary inference is to act without authority. You may take your automobile to the repair shop and tell the mechanic that you would like him to fix your muffler. You do not expect to return to receive a bill of $2500 covering transmission overhaul, major body work, etc., etc. You are going to tell the mechanic that you did not authorize that, and will not (probably “can’t” is the better word) pay. He should not presume upon you. He acted without your authority.
The confusion in the religious world relates to presumptions that we may act where God has said nothing or when God has said not to do something. To illustrate the later, consider Noah who was not instructed in what kind of wood that he was not to use in making the ark, or in how he was not to construct the ark (Gen. 6,7). Not once did God say to him, “Thou shall not use cedar.” But, we all understand since Noah was told what kind of wood to use (gopher), that it necessarily excluded everything else in the same category. Friends, our pattern is just as binding as the pattern that God gave Moses for the building of the temple or Noah for the building of the Ark. God tells us what we can do; anything else “is unacceptable.”
To illustrate when God has said nothing, look at Leviticus 10:1-17. Here, Nadab and Abihu, priests and sons of Aaron, presumed that they were allowed to offer fire on the altar; which God had said nothing about using. The source of the fire they used was nowhere condemned. God never said, “Don’t use that fire.” He only stated where he did want them to get the fire. Because of their failure, God destroyed them. Again, King Saul offered burnt offerings without the sanction of God’s word and was God forsook him (1 Sam. 13:11-14). King Uzzah offered incense in the Lord’s house when God had not given him permission, and the Lord caused leprosy to afflict him (2 Chron. 26). Two illustrations from the book of Hebrews may be joined to the examples of Old Testament characters. The writer of Hebrews spoke of angels who are obviously prohibited from assuming a position of equality with Christ, the Son. Such would be terrible presumption. The argument, however, of the writer of the epistle is that they had not right because God did not give them the right. God did not say to them, “Thou art my Son” (Heb. 1:5), and God did not authorize them to “sit thou on my right hand” (Heb. 1:13,14). It was on the silence of God that the writer argued that they had no right. The other illustration in the book of Hebrews has to do with the right of men to be priests. Moses (God’s spokesman) “spake nothing concerning priests” out of Judah (Heb. 7:14). Men of that tribe could not be priests because they were not authorized to hold that position. Even Christ could not be a priest “on earth” because of this principle since he had come from the tribe of Judah (Heb. 8:4).
By what right do we alter God’s forms of worship, organization, and/or activity in the church? Some have no pangs of conscience concerning multiple additions to the Lord’s plan (pattern) in any of these areas of responsibility. As a result, the religious world is constantly divided and the worshippers confused. Surely, we can unite on what God has said and leave alone those things that he has not authorized.
