Christianity, it is said, is a ‘pattern’ religion. What this means is that we follow the pattern of Jesus’ life and teaching. Paul said, ‘Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me’, 2 Tim 1:3. When you and I follow the pattern of teaching in the Bible, it is apparent that we are following Christ. But when our lives, our words, our worship, and beliefs do not conform to the pattern laid out in the New Testament, then we are outside of Christ and His will. To not add to or take away from the Bible is to follow the Bible because it alone has words that save. James said, ‘receive the word implanted which is able to save your souls’, James 1:21. Peter writes that we are ‘born again’ through the ‘living and abiding word of God’, 1 Pt 1:23. There is no new birth of the soul apart from the truth of God. To believe in Christ is to know with certainty that He ‘has words of eternal life’, Jn 6:68. So follow the pattern of the Bible which is laid out in the New Testament. To ‘exceed what is written’ is immoral and will be judged by God, 1 Cor 4:6.

Churches that have women preaching and leading prayer have departed from the pattern of the New Testament, 1 Cor. 14:34 ; 1 Tim 2:12. Whoever protest against this, is protesting against the Word of God. Churches that allow all marriages and do not call for adulterers to repent and put away their spouses are not following the pattern of the New Testament, 1 Cor. 6:9-10. Adultery and homosexuality are sexual sins that must be done away with. Churches that introduce the organ and guitar are churches that have departed from the pattern of the New Testament. Those who protest are not on the side of Christ. Will worship, meaning self-imposed worship, is always sinful being rooted in lust, selfish desires, and an arrogance that will not go unjudged. The New Testament pattern of singing was the pattern for Christians for centuries because no command or example for music in the church was given to do anything but sing. The Catholics introduced musical instruments. The Methodist, the Baptist, and the Presbyterians were first a capella singing only until these denominations caved to the pressures of the fleshly ones. The Christian Church departed from the churches of Christ in the late 1800’s because they followed the desires of the flesh. These that have pipes, strings, and tinkling things have departed from the pattern and it can’t be justified.

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