Years ago, my husband was preaching a sermon on Noah. He talked about how Noah followed God’s instructions exactly. God said to use gopher wood, and that is what Noah used. Then he said, “If God had told him to use concrete (had it been available), that’s what he should use.” A lady sitting behind me whispered to her husband, “And it would have sunk.” As a young minister’s wife, I didn’t find that particularly funny, since his point made perfect sense to me.

I don’t need research to prove that Noah built an ark or that it protected eight souls and animals, but the research does prove it to be sea worthy. God’s design always works.

The tabernacle was another structure that was designed by God with specific instructions for its construction and its use. It was portable and could be loaded onto carts and moved as the Israelites moved toward the land of Canaan. It had specific areas, some available only to the high priests. The furniture was designed for specific uses—altars for sacrifices, lavers for washing, etc. Even the clothes of the priests were specifically designed with instructions for cleaning and discarding. The ark of the covenant was the only piece that could not be handled by anyone but the Levites.

King David wanted to build the temple, but God would not allow it. Instead, He gave that responsibility to King Solomon, David’s son. First Chronicles 28 records the plan for the temple, and verse 19 says David received the plan “in writing from the hand of the LORD, all the work to be done according to the plan.”

Once again, we see that a plan was put in place so that there would be no deviation because it was instruction from God. His expectation was that it would be done per His instructions.

There are two examples of specific plans being given by God for the establishment of the church and His pattern for worship. Matthew says in chapter 16 that Jesus asked the disciples who men thought He was. They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets”. Then He asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”. Jesus then told them that on this rock, Peter’s confession, He would build His church. He then promised to give the keys to the kingdom (the church) to Peter, and later to all the disciples in chapter 18, verse 18.
In Acts 2, this plan came together as the disciples, now called apostles, preached to the Jews the fulfillment of His church. When the people cried out “Brothers, what shall we do”, Peter said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”. The Holy Spirit provided the details, and Peter passed them on to the crowd.

Everything was different after this, except that God still was the center of worship; and He still is. Colossians 2:14 says that the Old Law was nailed to the cross. Paul told the Galatians that even an angel can’t preach any other gospel than what he and the apostles had preached to them (Gal. 1:6-9). John said were to abide in the doctrine (Second John 9).

The pattern for our worship today is shown to us through Scripture and through examples in the New Testament. We are to sing (Ephesians 5:19), give (Second Corinthians 9:7), take the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7, First Corinthians 11:23-28), pray, and study God’s Word. There are numerous examples of praying and preaching in the New Testament.

Why would we think God would not give a pattern for the church when He so specifically gave patterns for all worship throughout the Old Testament? He even says that we, as Christians, are to show ourselves a pattern of good works, in our teaching; show integrity, dignity, and sound speech, none of which can be condemned. All of this is to put to shame our opponent, so the unsaved can have nothing evil to say about us (Titus 2:7-8).

God gave specific instructions for leadership in His church. First Timothy 3 and Titus 1 lay out the specific qualifications for elders and deacons. Titus 4 presents the directive for preaching. First Timothy 3:11 places women in submission, not in leadership. There is much teaching they are expected to do in giving instructions to younger women.

Violating His commands for worship will be no different than Cain in Genesis 3 or Nadab and Abihu, both priests, who were punished for offering strange fire on the altar (Lev. 10:1-2). He will not be pleased with us, if we violate His instructions.

May God help us to study and understand that the details do matter, and may we follow the pattern and worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Sandra Oliver