Neither are we inter-denominational. It is our sincere desire to be non-denominational. It is our wish and purpose to wear no other name than Christ’s, and to be known simply as Christians, members of the body of Christ-the church of Christ. Such was clearly true of the Lord’s people in the first Century (Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16; Ephesians 1: 22, 23; Colosians 1: 18; Romans 16:16). Collectively we refer to ourselves as the church of Christ, the Lord’s church, or some other scriptural description, not in an attempt to be “sectarian,” but on the contrary, to identify ourselves as the church belonging to Christ.

Our emphasis is spiritual not material or social.

We are not concerned with the building of pretentious architectural monuments to human pride. Our building is merely a tool designed to facilitate our work and worship. While as individual Christians we seek each others’ association socially, the church is not a “front” for a social club or agency, and therefore the Lord’s treasury is not used to promote social functions. Our aim is spiritual 1 Peter 2: 5; I Timothy 3:15).

We strive to be the same church described in the New Testament.

It is our purpose to be completely identified with the Christians of the first Century. We believe this to be possible to all who will learn, believe, and be guided by the plain teaching of the word of God. Jesus declared such to be “the seed of the Kingdom” (Luke 8: 11). A fundamental truth in nature is that a specific kind of seed, when planted, will always produce after its kind. For example, wheat will produce wheat; corn will produce corn. In like manner, the word of God, when planted in the hearts of honest people, and obeyed, will produce Christians just as it did in the first Century- nothing more or nothing less. We are human, and therefore subject to error, so we recognize the possibility that we may be wrong in our application of the scriptures. But if we can be shown where we are wrong-by the scriptures-we are willing and anxious to change.

We have no human head.

There is no man, or group of men, who legislate for the church. We have no one to answer to but Christ. He is at the head of the church (Ephesians 1: 22) which leaves no room for any human head. As was true in the first century, there is no inter-congregational organization, but rather interdependent congregations in different locations with Christ as Lord and Master. According to the authority of Christ, when a congregation matures to the point where men meet the qualifications, overseers (also called bishops, elders or pastors) are appointed to look after the spiritual welfare of the congregation. Such men are appointed only when the congregation determines that they meet all the qualifications enumerated by the apostle Paul in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1: 5-9. They then have the responsibility to “feed the flock” with the spiritual food found in the scriptures, and to be living examples for others to see (I Peter 5: 1-3). Unlike sectarian groups, our preachers are not “pastors” (unless they meet the qualifications and are so appointed) but are simply teachers of the gospel.

The Bible is our only book of rules.

Therefore we have no man-written creed books to follow. We are governed in faith and conduct by the Bible alone. While recognizing and heeding the guiding principles of the Old Testament, we seek to conform to the rules and patterns of the New Testament (I Cor. 10: 4; Hebrews 1: 1-2; I Peter 4: 11). We accept the Bible as being both verbally inspired and infallible in content (2 Pet. 1: 20-21; I Cor. 2:11-13). Consequently, when the Bible speaks upon any given subject, its pronouncement is accepted as final. By its own testimony, no one may with impunity alter a single word of it Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30: 6; Revelation 22:18-19).

Our plea for unity.

We plead for unity among all who obediently respond to the doctrines and commandments given in the New Testament. Such is in harmony with the prayer of Jesus and the pleadings of the apostles (John 17:20-21; I Cor. 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-6). We consider such unity to be possible, or Jesus would not have prayed for it. We also note that unity and love for each other was a mark of discipleship in the early churches (John 13: 34-35; Acts 2: 44, 46; Acts 4:32). And since division has always been a result of departure from “the faith which was once delivered to the Saints” (Jude 3), we believe division can be healed by a return to the revealed truth of God’s word. For this we plead.

It is not the work of the New Testament church to provide entertainment, recreation, and social functions, but it is the work of the church to teach and preach the truth. Paul said that the church is the “pillar and ground of the truth” (I Tim. 3:15). That means it is to uphold, support and preach the truth. We are using this paper as a tool to do this.

We welcome investigation. Our plea is to duplicate genuine New Testament Christianity both in individual as well as congregational life. Therefore, our answers to life’s questions in morality and spirituality do not come from other churches, special interest or political groups, a majority in a community, or preachers; rather we go directly to the New Testament, God’s final revelation of His will to mankind (II Tim. 3:16-17). Whatever questions arise as to how we should conduct ourselves, the New Testament either directly or indirectly by Divine principles answers them (see II Peter 1:3-4).

As a congregation of God’s people, the Elgin Hills church of Christ is committed to following the pattern God left for His people in the pages of the New Testament. If we are failing to do something the New Testament requires, you will be our friend to point out our omission. If we are doing something the New Testament does not authorize, again you will be our friend to point out that commission. Our hope is heaven. We pray it is your hope, and that you will do something about it. -Phillip Owens

examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so (Acts 17:11)

• Volume 1 2006
• Volume 2 2007
• January 2008
• February 2008
• March 2008
• June – July 2008

See all articles in this category

The Lord’s church at Elgin Hills has been good to us, and we trust good has been accomplished through preaching and teaching in this area during the past five years.

We have been blessed to be able to teach and preach the gospel in a number of different venues.  We have preached on radio in the Shoals area, and this paper has reached approximately 3,000 addresses on a monthly basis.  It has been “saturation mailed” to several mailing routes surrounding the Elgin Hills church building, and is mailed to others individually.

Through the support Elgin Hills has given, I have been able to conduct a number of Bible studies and preach regularly around north central and northwest Alabama.  I have also been free to preach in other areas.  For that I am thankful.

Tony Hudson will begin to preach and teach with Elgin Hills around the middle of June.  Tony and his wife, Libby, will do good work anywhere they go.  He is a good man, a careful student of the Scripture, a good preacher and teacher, loves people, and has done good everywhere he has been.  Libby is his faithful helper.  We pray good will be done and encourage you to support the work at Elgin Hills.

— Phillip A. Owens

For a long time I have believed and taught that the dead are in Hades presently.  Luke 16 teaches this if it teaches anything.  However, many younger (and a few older) preachers have decried this as the “traditional” explanation, as if that makes it immediately wrong!  Some time ago I preached on this idea.  The chart on the next page is one I used to describe the “intermediate” state into which we must all enter and pass if the Lord does not come first.

Some ask that if at death we know what our eternal destiny will be, what is the need for judgment?

First, Jude 14-15 indicates that judgment will be to “convince all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness.”  In essence, an explanation, or “sentencing,” if you please, of the unrighteous will be given in judgment.

Second, Paul said that “there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing” (II Tim. 4:8).  Similarly, for the righteous, an explanation will be given as to their salvation.

Concerning judgment, Paul said, “that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (II Cor. 5:10).  Receiving “the things done in the body” describes an accounting we will be given. This will be done at judgment on the last day.

Before that event, all the dead are in Hades.  The righteous are in “paradise,” a place of comfort.  The unrighteous are in “torments.”  Conscious existence continues in both paradise and torments.  Judgment will be to explain the “why” of eternal life and punishment.

In the Bible, death simply means, “separation.”  Physical death is separation of one’s body from his spirit (James 2:26).  Spiritual death is our spirit’s separation from God.

Since our destiny is determined at death, the larger and more important question is, “Are you ready?”

Death can come at any time.  Have your sins been forgiven by the blood of Christ?  Jesus warned some of His generation that if they died in their sins, where He went they could not come (Jno. 8:21).  Sin separates us from God now (I Tim. 5:6; Eph. 2:1-3), and to die in that condition is to die “separate from Christ,…having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12).  If we are spiritually dead even while physically alive, after physical death, we experience what the Scripture calls “the second death” – eternal separation from God (Rev. 21:8).

In the Bible God has revealed in great detail a plan that is in keeping with His nature – that of holiness, love, mercy, and justice.  By one’s refusing to partake of God’s grace in Christ by believing on Jesus’ deity and humanity, repenting of sins, confessing one’s faith, and being baptized in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:36-38), one in essence says, “I’m not interested.”  Such people “trample under foot the Son of God,…count the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and insult the Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29).  It is no wonder that for those who thumb their nose at Jesus, His gospel and things divine, God will render “vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (II Thess. 1:8-9).  Though God is love, He is also just, and His holiness disallows Him to fellowship sin.

Life is indeed serious.  Are you ready for the consequences in the hereafter that come by your actions here and now?  Think seriously about your soul’s condition.  We want to go to heaven and want you to go also.  For this purpose our little paper comes into your home.  We pray it helps all who read and desire to please God.   

– Phillip Owens

There are several passages which refute this false notion, perhaps none so powerful though as Peter’s sermon in Acts 2.  Peter here quotes a prophecy from David found in Psalm 16:8, and applies it to Jesus as proof of His resurrection.  But it also answers those who argue for “direct access” to heaven.  Peter notes in vs. 29, “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.”  He then adds, “He, seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell [hades], neither did his flesh see corruption” (vs. 31).  Then, following his application to Jesus, he concludes in vs. 34, “For David is not ascended into the heavens…”!  Jesus had already ascended, but David’s soul was still in the hadean realm!  And this Peter spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, hence we know that the statement is accurate.  If there were no other passage except this, it is adequate to answer those promoting the direct access idea completely.

But, we also note in Rev. 20:13-14 that at the end of time, when the devil himself is cast into the lake of fire (20:10); death and hell [hades] will also be cast into the same lake of fire.  Thus hades will continue to exist right up until the end of time, and was not abolished when Jesus ascended into heaven!

In John 14:3 Jesus states when He “will come again,” He would “receive you unto myself.”  John also states this is when we will be transformed to be like Him (I Jno. 3:2).  Paul said that would be the time he would receive a “crown of righteousness” –and all others theirs as well (II Tim. 4:8; Matt. 25:31f).  But that takes place at the end of time (II Thess. 16-10)—not when Christ ascended into heaven.

The doctrine sounds nice and appealing.  Naturally we all want that glorious reward as soon as possible.  Sometimes heaven is spoken of in an immediate sense (Phil. 1:23; Matt. 25:31f, II Cor. 5:8), but this is done for emphasis sake, not for technical details.  Let’s be sure we are getting the whole story before we jump to quick conclusions.  Luke 16 is still the valid description of the hadean realm, where the disembodied spirit will dwell until the day of judgment and the return of Christ.  Then we shall receive our reward in full, even though our eternal destiny is known at the point of death (II Cor. 5:10). – Donald P. Ames

Contact us for your free copy today!

Some “progressive” (?) Christians we know have said that “too much baggage goes with the term, ‘church of Christ.’”  What they mean is that many understand that the term “church of Christ” is associated with people who believe we should partake of the Lord’s supper every first day of the week, that baptism is necessary for remission of sins, that there is “one body” or universal church of the saved, that there is a distinct organization for local churches, that Christians should sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in assembly worship and not play instruments, just to name a few.  Because of what some in the world consider doctrine that is too “narrow,” these “progressives” believe that by dropping the name, “church of Christ,” we will somehow be able to remove an obstacle and convert more people.

Two quick points and we move on:  First, there is Bible authority for the above mentioned practices (Acts 20:7; Acts 2:38; Eph. 1:22-23; Phil. 1:1; I Tim. 3; Eph. 5:19; I Cor. 14:15).  Furthermore, whenever God specifies how He wants something done, all other kinds are excluded concerning that matter!  (For more information on this, see my pamphlet on Is there a “pattern” in the New Testament that God wants us to follow?)

Second, it is commendable that some are concerned about converting more people, and whenever obstacles stand in the way we should seek to remove them.  Of course, anything that has to do with God’s will or truth is not a removable “obstacle.”  Believing that Jesus is God’s Son is an “obstacle” for some, but can’t be “removed” if one is truly converted to Jesus (Jno. 8:24)!  To the Jews, “Christ crucified” was “a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness” (I Cor. 1:23).  Inspired men would not drop from their preaching what some then considered “too much baggage” to be converted (I Cor. 2:1-5).

However, there is a problem.  I know of no one who has ever been “turned off” by the term “church of Christ,” but by what churches of Christ practice and teach, as mentioned above!  Experience has shown a friend of mine this truth.

Baptists, Methodists, and many others have de-emphasized their distinctive denominational names and practices by two ways:  One, they emphasize a generic and/or geographical location (with large letters on signs), and de-emphasize the denominational name (with extremely small letters, usually at the bottom of their signs); Two, they omit any denominational tie altogether for something like Cross(T)Point.  An example would be for us to change our name from Elgin Hills Church of Christ to simply ELGIN HILLS, or ELGIN HILLS CHURCH (or some kind of generic name that disguises what we really are!).

A simple internet search reveals reasons why many denominations go this route.  Attracting more people and renouncing former distinctive doctrines are the primary reasons.

Sadly, some who formerly identified themselves as churches of Christ and preached and practiced what the New Testament authorized, no longer do so.  It is good that they have changed their names; usually vague names indicate vague, indefinite, anything-goes teaching and practice.

What about Labels?

Some say they don’t like religious labels.  Why?  We like and even demand labels on everything else, and we don’t like to be fooled by labels!  We want labels to describe accurately the product they represent.

We understand what the terms (labels) “conservative” and “liberal” mean politically.  They represent two completely divergent views toward the constitution and what the government is and is not authorized to do.  If we are conscientious voters, we want to know what politicians stand for.  Labels such as the above give a “big picture” of their overall thinking and how they will govern.  We don’t want to be tricked.

Imagine going into a grocery store and everything is only labeled “Food.”  This sums up what has happened with so many religious groups simply having the name “Church.”  Such names as “Friendship Church” and “Valley Church” in Limestone County, give no idea what they teach or practice.  In fact, from the marquee on one church sign below, one might believe it is associated with Catholics!

What if someone has been studying the Scripture, believes on Jesus Christ as God’s Son, understands that people converted in the New Testament repented and were baptized (Acts 2:38), and he understands that baptism is a burial or immersion (Acts 8:36-38; Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12), not sprinkling as some of his friends have suggested.  He wants to be a part of a church that teaches and practices the truth on this subject.  Years ago, he would have had no problem “finding” such a group.  Now, people have made it more of a “mystery” due to their new and indefinite church signs.  Of course, when religious groups take a “whatever-you-want-to-do” attitude, having a vague, indefinite name matches their practice!

Someone says, “A sign doesn’t tell you everything.”  That’s right.  But at least it is a start.  If I am looking for building supplies, I don’t go to a store labeled “Winn Dixie.”  If I read where Jesus said, “Do not call anyone on earth your father” (Matt. 23:9), I would not begin looking for a church sign with “Catholic” on it!

Are there some people in churches of Christ who don’t act like Christians?  Absolutely.  But just because some hypocrites claim to be members of the “church of Christ” doesn’t mean that what is taught and practiced by many should be changed, or that the name should be changed.  Some during the first century turned away from the truth (such as Demas, II Tim. 4:10).  That did not mean that somehow Paul and others had to “re-identify” themselves to keep anyone from lumping Demas into the same bag with Paul and being “turned off” by the apostles!

Tertullus, a hired gun of an orator for Jewish accusers, called Paul “a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5).  Because he accused Paul of such did not mean that true Christianity and the church of which Paul was a member constituted a “sect.”  Paul answered “that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets” (Acts 24:14).  In essence, Paul said that what he was a member of was not a “sect” or “part” of anything.  It was/is “everything” the Law and prophets predicted would come to pass in Jesus Christ!  Likewise, some may call the “church of Christ” just another denomination.  That doesn’t mean that genuine churches of (belonging to) Christ are such; it is only a false accusation, similar to Tertullus’ accusation of Paul.  However, changing the name because of some misconceptions won’t help the situation!

Is the phrase, “church of Christ,” the only designation local churches can use?

For many years, churches seeking to duplicate New Testament Christianity put signs on their meeting houses with something like “Church of Christ,” or “The Church Of Christ at ____ meets here.”  This was helpful for people both near and far to locate the place of assembly.  However, some are saying that such signs are “denominational,” and that there is no one designation for God’s people in a local setting, as if they discovered a truth that nobody before them had learned.

We have preached that there is no one Bible designation for God’s people for years.  We understand that there are several Bible phrases that describe God’s people.  Some of these include “the body of Christ,” simply “the church,” “the house of God,” the church of God,” and a plurality of churches were sometimes identified as “churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16).  Obviously, one local congregation could accurately be called a “church of Christ.”  At least we have preached that whatever term used should be a Bible term or phrase (see II Tim. 1:13).

If I spoke to a taught Christian and referred to another as a Christian, a member of “the church,” he wouldn’t ask, “Which one?”  He would know that I spoke of the Lord’s church and not a denomination.

However, to someone who has not been taught, saying the same thing would leave him in the dark.  He would likely ask, “Which one?” and he would be thinking in denominational terms!  Therefore, it is necessary not only to use Scriptural phrases, but also Scriptural phrases that accurately identify ourselves to those with whom we speak.

The New Testament teaches that the church is married to Christ (Eph. 5:22-31).  Its members were baptized “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27).  Jesus Christ said He would build His church (Matt. 16:18).  He is its head (Col. 1:17-18) as well as its foundation (I Cor. 3:10-11).  He saved it (Eph. 5:23) as He purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:27; Eph. 1:7).  Therefore, it is completely logical, non-denominational, accurate, and with Bible authority to refer to ourselves in a local collectively as a “church of Christ.”  This simply means a church belonging to Christ.

What motivates desires to change names for “churches of Christ”?

I am certain that I don’t know why in every case.  However, I have read a number of statements from Baptist “pastors” who have spoken for churches that dropped their denominational name for generic or geographical only designations.  Their reasons

center on not wanting to appear “judgmental,” “preachy,” and the fact that they no longer believe “Baptist doctrine.”  I would hope that among people who are supposed to be duplicating New Testament Christianity, changing their names is not because they are ashamed of the gospel or anything it demands.  Paul told Timothy, “Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God” (II Tim. 1:8).  Remember, the gospel has appeared “foolish” to worldly minded people who glory in their own wisdom from the first century until now (I Cor. 1-2).  Changing the message to accommodate the world will not convert anyone to Jesus.  Rather than change the gospel to accommodate the world, we should seek to change the world to accommodate the gospel.

We should never try to “hide,” disguise or camouflage any aspect of the Lord’s will, or what His will demands we practice!  If the name, “church of Christ” calls to mind to some people, “that church that doesn’t have a piano,” or “that church that believes you should eat the Lord’s supper every Sunday,” or that church that believes you’ve got to be baptized to be saved,” wouldn’t you want to be identified with the true gospel, rather than assume an unknown or vague name?  Think about it.         – Phillip Owens

Early in Scripture we learn that God placed a premium on obedience and punished disobedience (Gen. 2:16-17; 3; 4; et al.).

God expected His people to do things exactly how He said to do them.  He told Moses, “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.  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” (Ex. 25:8,9).  At the conclusion of those instructions, God warned, “And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown on the mountain” (Ex. 25:40).

The idea of a pattern continued during the days of David and Solomon.  About the time David was to die, he gave the instructions for the temple to Solomon.  These instructions had been provided to him by the Spirit (I Chron. 28:12), and concerned practically every detail of the temple (I Chron. 28:11-19).  God made object lessons out of some who believed they could set aside His word with impunity, even to the point of death (II Sam. 6).

In the New Testament

God still places high value on our following His “pattern” in the New Testament, though He doesn’t say this in so many words.  It is not a “bad” word as some seem to think.  Though the English word for “pattern” is used only three times in the King James Version of the New Testament (I Tim. 1:16; Tit. 2:7; and Heb. 8:5), the original word, tupos, is used sixteen times in the New Testament, and is translated by such words as “print” (Jno. 20:25), “figures” (Acts 7:43), “fashion” (Acts 7:44), “manner” (Acts 23:25), “form” (Rom. 6:17), and “example” (I Cor. 10:6,11; Phil. 3:17 et al.).  It primarily means “a blow,…impression, mark,… ‘impress’ of a seal,…stamp made by a die, a figure, image,…a ‘form’ or mold, Rom. 6:17” (Vine).

What does it mean to follow the pattern?

The “pattern” for any subject is found when we consider all God says on that subject! When we learn all God says on a particular matter, that is then the truth, the whole truth, and nothing else is the truth on that subject.  John 3:16 is truth, but not the whole truth on our salvation.  The same could be said for Mark 16:16 by itself, or Acts 2:38 by itself.  However, when we put together all God says concerning what we must do to be saved, then we have learned the “truth” concerning that subject.  David said, “The sum of thy word is truth” (Ps. 119:160).  This should be our greatest desire – coming to know all God says on a subject.  When we learn all God has said about a subject, that is all we can know, but it is all we need to know, and it is the “truth” on that matter.  That “truth” constitutes the “pattern” on that subject.

Patterns and apostolic order

For practical purposes, another word that means the same as “pattern” is the word, “order.”  The Scripture teaches that there is a “pattern,” or more precisely, “patterns” to follow. The Bible calls apostolic instruction to churches “order” or arrangement, a prescription.  Some plain passages that mention this are:

I Cor. 11:34 – “…and the rest will I set in order (“completely arrange, prescribe,” Wigram-Green) whensoever I come.”  It is obvious that a pattern or “order” is important concerning the Lord’s supper.  Paul said that it is possible to eat and drink the supper in an “unworthy manner,” and be “guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord,…to eat and drink judgment to himself” (vss. 27, 29).  Is there a “pattern” or arrangement concerning the Lord’s supper?  Absolutely.  What if we are not careful about that order or arrangement?  We “eat and drink judgment” to ourselves.  Of course all other passages in the New Testament that deal with this subject complement these instructions and complete the “pattern.”

I Cor. 14:40 – “Let all thing be done decently and in order.”   Therefore, assembly worship had to have “arrangement” (Strong) or “orderly conditions” (Thayer), and was to be for edification (vs. 26).  Certain restrictions applied when the church was assembled such as tongue speakers were not to speak unless an interpreter was present (vss. 27-28), they were to remain silent while others spoke (vs. 30), and women were not to address the assembly at all (vss. 34-35).  That specific precedent was rooted in the very distinction God made between the sexes from the beginning (notice marginal readings for verse 34 and how “the law” usually refers to Gen. 3:16).  Further, these instructions were “the commandment of the Lord” (vs. 37).  Obviously, assembly worship had arrangement, order, or a “pattern.”

I Cor. 16:1-2 – “As I gave order (completely arrange, prescribe, same as in ch. 11:34) to the churches of Galatia (meaning first day of week contributions were not limited to Corinth, but were taught universally by Paul and other apostles), so also do ye.  Upon the first day of the week…”  This “order” is also defined, “to arrange thoroughly, institute, prescribe,…appoint, command, give, (set in) order, ordain” (Strong).  If we understand that Acts 2:42 and the word “fellowship” likely included a common treasury (but was not limited to that), then I Cor. 16:2 stated when and how Christians were to give.  At least that much is part of the “order.” The fact that churches had money to send to those in need (Acts 11:27-30) as well as to evangelists (Phil. 4:15-16), necessarily implies that Christians gave into a common treasury.  I Cor. 16:1-2 gives the “order” as to when and how.  This and other passages would indicate those for whom it was intended.  Money contributed on the first day is not at the disposal or whim of brethren.  There is a divine “order” as to what to do with it.  There is a “pattern” concerning it!

Titus 1:5 – “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge.”  This was a “charge” from Paul, a command, and there was an “arrangement” which Titus was to “set” in the churches on Crete.  In essence, local churches were not left in a “free for all” fashion to do whatever they pleased.  Things were “lacking” or “wanting,” and needed “straightening” out (most lexicons on the word “order” found here).  Obviously, whatever the apostles taught constituted the pattern or “order” on that matter.

From the above examples we learn that there is a pattern for the Lord’s supper, assembly worship, giving on the first day of the week, and organization or government for local churches.  Other passages supplement related questions to each specific area above such as what all can be included in assembly worship (Acts 2:42; I Cor. 14:15; Acts 20:7; et al.), the elements of the Lord’s supper (Matt. 26:26-28), qualifications of elders (Tit. 1 and I Tim. 3), etc.  Therefore, a casual reader of the New Testament can understand that from the above passages a particular order, arrangement or “pattern” was given by the apostles and was implied to be kept.

Patterns can be found

The Bible teaches throughout that “truth” is “knowable” or obtainable (Jno. 8:32; Eph. 3:3-5).  These efforts to destroy the idea of a “pattern” imply that “truth” is “unknowable.”  Further blurring the issue is a statement many use:  “Good and smart brethren differ.”  Implied is that if these differ, then how can anyone else ever know what is right?  The unstated but implied conclusion to the argument is that truth is simply unobtainable.  However, just because someone may be mistaken on some things, whether intelligent or not, doesn’t mean we can’t know truth on anything!  Jesus said we can know truth.  “No pattern” theologians deny what Jesus affirmed!

Contact us for your free copy today!