In Hebrews 8:5, the divine writer tells us of the admonition given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai saying, “... 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 showed to thee in the mount.” Evidently, God wanted Moses to understand that He would not permit any deviation from the details of anything pertaining to the construction of the tabernacle, its furnishings, the priest’s garments and all that was involved in worshiping Him (cf. Ex. 25:9, 40; Num. 8:4; Josh 22:28).

Many who claim to love God, and have read this passage many times, overlook if not completely ignore, an important Bible principle established here. You see, following the Divine pattern was essential when worshiping God under the law of Moses. The same principle is true for worship during the Christian age to be acceptable–it must be “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). Jesus himself, when speaking to religious people said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23).

The Hebrew word rendered “pattern” in Exodus 25:9, 40; Numbers 8:4; and Joshua 22:28 is defined by Strong’s Dictionary as, “structure; by implication, a model, resemblance: figure, form, likeness, pattern, similitude.”

The Greek word tupos is rendered “pattern” in Hebrew 8:5 and Titus 2:7 and is defined by Strong as, “a die (as struck), i.e., (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy, a shape, i.e., a statue, (figuratively) style, or resemblance; specially, a sampler (type), i.e., a model (for imitation) or instance (for warning):-en-(ex-)ample, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, print.”

In the King James Version of the New Testament, this Greek word is rendered “print” in John 20:25; “figures” in Acts 7:43; “the fashion” in Acts 7:44; “manner” in Acts 23:25; “the figure” in Romans 5:14; “that form” in Romans 6:17; and “example” in 1 Corinthians 10:6 and 1 Timothy 4 12. This same Greek word is rendered “ensample(s)” in a number of verses (1 Cor. 10:11; Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Pet. 5:3).

By considering all of this information, we should get the picture–the pattern principle was alive and well in the writings of the inspired apostles of Christ, a fact that no honest Bible student can deny. Hence, in order to worship God “in spirit and in truth,” we must worship “according to the pattern” of New Testament teaching.

Only Singing!

But, not all Bible students are honest in that they do not wish to respect the pattern principle, even though it is evident by looking at various New Testament passages regarding the work and worship of the first-century church.

For example, in the matter of music in worship to God, many use various mechanical musical instruments in their worship. Sadly, some brethren who were formerly of the Lord's body have become apostates by ignoring the New Testament pattern, using mechanical instruments of music in their worship. Please consider these New Testament passages:

$          Matthew 26:20 and Mark 14:26 – “… and they had sung a hymn…”

$          Acts 16:25 – “…Paul and Silas sang praises unto God.”

$          Romans 15:9 – “…and sing unto thy name.”

$          1 Corinthians 14:15 – “I will sing with the spirit, I will sing with the understanding.”

$          Ephesians 5:19 – “…singing and making melody in your heart...”

$          Colossians 3:16 – “…singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

$          Hebrews 2:12 – “in the midst of the church I will sing praise unto thee.”

$          James 5;13 – “…Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.”

$          Revelation 5:9 – “And they sung a new song…”

$          Revelation 14:3 – “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne…”

$          Revelation 15:3 – “And they sung the song of Moses the servant of God…”

In the above list, we have every passage in the New Testament (KJV) that uses the word sing, singing, sung, or sang. What then is the pattern? This should not be hard to understand. It is singing and only singing! Even though we have this Scriptural evidence, when it comes to music in worship to God, many continue to ignore the New Testament!

Only Saints!

Likewise, we can determine the pattern for benevolence by observing a number of New Testament passages. Note those that follow. They clearly show who received the relief and who provided it:

$          Acts 2:44, 45 – Only saints were relieved by the church.

$          Acts 4:34, 35 – Only saints were relieved by the church.

$          Acts 6:1-6 – Only saints (widows) were relieved by the church.

$          Acts 11:27-30 - Only saints were relieved by the church.

$          Romans 15:25-31 – Only saints were relieved by the church.

$          1 Corinthians 16:1-3 – Only saints were relieved by the church.

$          2 Corinthians 8 – Only saints were relieved by the church.

$          2 Corinthians 9 – Only saints were relieved by the church.

$          1 Timothy 5:9-16 – Only saints or “widows indeed” were relieved by the church.

Now, in the above passages, the context shows that the pattern for benevolence was relief provided to needy saints and needy saints only; and this was provided by the church, not a human institution such as a benevolent society or sponsoring church organization. What do you conclude when you consider these passages?

Further, in the New Testament, the relief given to needy saints by the church was likely temporary in nature, with the exception of “widows indeed” (1 Tim. 5:3-5; Acts 6:1-6). Examples we might see today of a temporary need would be needs that result from such natural disasters as fires, floods, and earthquakes or the like. When hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in the fall of 2005, many brethren had to flee their homes and needed temporary relief and shelter. Various local churches of Christ and individual brethren provided such temporary relief by sending money and goods to the brethren (saints) in need.

Other situations could include medical emergencies and/or personal property losses resulting from house fires and such like. Paul commanded the church in Corinth to give or “lay by in store” for the poor saints, not the needy of the world (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Also, the Bible never implies or states that the church is to make poor saints a ward of the church–except for “widows indeed” (1 Tim. 5:3-5; cf. Acts 6:1-6).

Conclusion

When we compare the New Treatment church’s work and worship with regard to music in worship and benevolence, by examining all scriptures that apply, we clearly see definite pattern, that being, that only singing of “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” is authorized and the church is authorized to provide from its local treasury, funds to needy saints–not to needy sinners of the world.