Do You Obey the Pattern?

The Word of God has provided a pattern for us to form our lives around (Rom. 6:17; Phil. 3:17; 2 Tim. 1:13). Throughout the Bible we see examples of people who followed God’s plan for salvation and worship, and those who didn’t. Noah was saved from a world ending flood because he did “according to all that God had commanded him, so he did” (Gen. 6:22). Noah’s faith (Heb. 11:7) lead him to build an ark our of the correct wood, with the correct number of doors, windows, and levels, to the correct specifications, and even fill it with the exact number of animals God told him to (Gen. 6:14-21). Had he left out any one important step it would not have worked. For example, had he not built it the the correct specifications (Gen. 6:15) he may have split the hull on the top of a mountain (Gen. 7:20). Generations later Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron (Num. 3:2), offered “strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them” (Lev. 10:1-2). God had told them exactly what to offer (Lev. 6:12-13;16:12) but they took it upon themselves to add something. They did not follow the pattern and it cost them their lives. Noah did and it resulting in salvation (1 Peter 3:20-21). We too, in the New Testament Church have an example, Jesus (1 Peter 2:21-25). He has left us his word for us to know and obey (John 17:14-19; Heb 5:9; John 8:31-32). The man we call the Ethiopian eunuch was one such man who obeyed Jesus’ will. For he was a man seeking God and heard the Gospel, believed what was taught concerning Jesus, repented of his previous sin, confessed Jesus as the Son of God, and was baptized (Acts 8:30-38). That is the pattern that has been left for us to obey as well. We also see a pattern for worship from the first century church as they came together on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 20:7), taught each other (Acts 20:7), prayed (1 Tim. 2:8; 1 Thess. 5:17), sang (Eph. 5:19; Acts 16:25) gave of their means (Acts 4:3; 2 Cor. 8:3) and took the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 20-30; Heb. 10:25-31) every time they came together on the first day of every week. According to Jesus we need to do all of these things with the right attitude and according to his word (John 4:24). Have you obeyed the same pattern the Ethiopian eunuch did for salvation? Do you Obey the Pattern given for worship? 


In His service,
Steven Hugley