Patterns

Exodus 25:9, "According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it."

Exodus 25:20, "And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount."

Hebrews 8:5, "Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount."

Leviticus 10:1-2, "And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD."

Did Jesus Christ give us a pattern on how to function as a church body? This question and post were inspired by a conversation I had with a brother from my home church. We were speaking about the differences in peoples perception on what man's idea of church is and what God's is. I believe Jesus did give us a pattern on how to function, just as He did with the sons of Aaron concerning the tabernacle and the ways of the tabernacle. But, what were the consequences of altering that pattern? From the above Scripture we can see how He dealt with the sons of Aaron. They changed His pattern for what they thought was a better one. Were their intentions good? Probably. Was it a foolish thing to do? Well, according to Leviticus 10:2, they became human toast because of it. So, what's my point? 

We as believers in Christ have changed from His pattern to man's. We have, through good intentions, followed man's design for functioning as a local, physical body of believers. Man came up with 'a better way,' in his mind at least, but it never was God's way. Man created a 'Church' matrix. An enterprise geared for control and Professional gain. All they did was attach Jesus' name to it. It was a simple, yet effective marketing strategy that has worked for thousands of years. They have made Christ's original concept for His body an industry. God's pattern has been ignored for so long, we only see the pattern man has created. But, when we look in the Bible and see His original pattern at work, we'll understand that an Institutional 'Church' System isn't Christ's design but man's design. The only thing that keeps us within this system is non-belief in the real pattern, which still exists but is seldom noticed. Why? Because so many take for granted that the Institutional 'Church' system is Christ's model. Where'd they get this idea from? It's leaders, who've been deceived by their leaders.

Christ's design for church has always been a fellowship format with Him as our Leader. No senior pastors, no salaries, no income tithes, no building Projects, Programs or budgets. His design is immersed in equality, freedom, liberty, participation and love; all with Him at it's core. This is His pattern. The Institutional model is to Believers what the TSA is to our traveling citizens. Pat downs, cavity searches into one's private life, borders and dictatorship-like leaders are all a part of an Institution in any realm. Within the Western religious establishment, the Roman 'Church' has led the way enslaving those who were willing to be enslaved within her confines. Her Protestant daughters have embraced this pattern and have followed suit. It has even filtered down to the strictest of fundamental Christian circles.

If one wishes to remain in man's Institutional 'Church' system, that's okay with me. But, be it known that Jesus Christ has nothing to do with it. His pattern is clear. His assemblies are living tabernacles of the flesh. They meet in homes, parks, or wherever they choose, but without the anchor of debt that is always accompanied with a business. A business-type Institutional 'Church' acquires a Bank account, which places them under the authority of a de facto government system. What this does is place them in debt to their creditors and servitude to the local powers that be. Christ's church was never meant to be manifested as 'stone and morter' wrought by the business dealings between them and a bank. Just as God gave a pattern for the tabernacle in the O.T., and didn't want it deviated from, how much more would Christ reject man's pattern for His body? Aaron's sons tried to innovate with strange fire, and it cost them. Christ's tabernacle [IS] His body. 2Peter 1:14-15, "Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance." When Jesus (the Word) became flesh in John 1, the word 'flesh' was used in the same sense as being tabernacled. His church isn't a structure made with the building materials bought with money. We are living flesh bought with His blood. This is His pattern for church.

Man's pattern is fraught with error and corruption. It will be destroyed. Christ's pattern will endure forever. I implore that all blood washed believers reject man's pattern and embrace Jesus'. How? Throw out what Christendom has taught us and start learning from the Bible. Remember, we are the living stones of His body.~1Peter 2:5, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."