The Distinctive Pattern of New Testament Christianity

By Mark Willis

The apostle Paul explains in Eph. 2:19-22 that God’s household is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. In 1 Tim. 3:15 he further explains that the household of God is the church of the living God. So we see that the church of God, His church and none other, was built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets of the first century.

Imagine being downtown and seeing a construction site. You go over for a closer look and see men and machinery busy laying the foundation for a new building. You stop and ask one of the workers, “What will this building be when it is completed?” He says: “This will be the city’s new hospital.” You go a little further and speak to another worker, “How long before the building is completed?” He says: “We hope to have this school open for its first class in February.” A little perplexed, you approach a third worker: “You must be proud working on such a large building! “ He replies: “Yes, this will be the finest office building in town.”

Wouldn’t you think that a little strange? Obviously not all of these workers could be right. No matter how big, how strong, or well-designed a foundation is, it can only accommodate one building. Yet unfortunately this ridiculous situation at the building site describes the confusion that exists in the world of religion today. “Join the church of your choice” is proclaimed throughout the land. Not only is this advice not found in the Bible, it is contrary to everything the Bible teaches about the church. You see the workers at the construction site had no say at all as to what the building would be. Their job was simply to follow in minute detail, the blueprint designed by the architect. The same principle applies to the church. As we endeavour to restore and establish the church of the Bible, we have a doctrinal blueprint available for us to follow. In Romans 6:17-18 Paul refers to the fact that these Romans became free from sin when they obeyed “that form of teaching.” The word is tupos in the original Greek, and simply means a pattern, God’s pattern for salvation. Likewise, Paul instructed Timothy to “retain the standard of sound words.” (2 Tim. 1:13). This is the same word – tupos – pattern. Those who lead the church by teaching and preaching were (and still are) to do so by following the pattern of God’s word.

Yes, when we stop taking liberties we don’t have, and follow to the letter God’s blueprint, there will only be one church (Eph: 4:4, 1:22-23), the church of the Bible, God’s church.

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