Is there really any pattern in Scripture for the Church?
God has a pattern for the Church, and that pattern is in Scripture. His pattern is important to Him. Exodus 25:40 And see that thou make them after their pattern, which hath been showed thee in the mount Exodus 25:9 According to all that I show thee, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furniture thereof, even so shall ye make it. 1 Chronicles 28:11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch of the temple , and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper rooms thereof, and of the inner chambers thereof, and of the place of the mercy-seat; Numbers 8:4 And this was the work of the candlestick, beaten work of gold; unto the base thereof, and unto the flowers thereof, it was beaten work: according unto the pattern which Jehovah had showed Moses, so he made the candlestick. Hebrews 8:5 who serve that which is a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned of God when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount. God has a pattern, and that pattern is in Scripture. Here are some examples: The Body of Christ is built up by that which every joint supplies. Apostles equip the believers until total unity and the fullness of the stature of the measure of Christ. Apostles cannot send themselves. There are no autonomous apostles. Authoritative doctrine, the interpretation of Scripture, comes from the apostles. There is only one apostles' doctrine. There is no chief apostle other than Jesus. There is no pope or other human office over the apostles. Local elders shepherd the local church. There is no chief elder other than Jesus. There is no local pastor (shepherd) over the elders. The church service is according to 1 Corinthians 14. Gifts of the Spirit are given by the laying on of hands of the presbytery. Not just anyone can lay hands on and give personal prophecy. Apostles have authority over local churches.
It seems that the church has some room for dying to self and living to God. There is far too much living to self and dying to God. There are far too many money-changers in the temple. There is far too much division, speculation, and materialism. There are far too many precepts of men. There is far too little holiness and spiritual power.
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