One of the beliefs that kept us in the assembly is the teaching that there is a correct New Testament pattern for the church, and only George knew what it was and could teach us about it. The Plymouth Brethren had seen it at one time, but in recent years have lost the vision. There have been others, such as Brother Sparks, but he is no longer living. So we were left completely dependent on George and the Assembly. There was nowhere else to worship, because no other church was a candlestick of pure gold .
The New Testament uses the word for pattern only three times. Heb. 8:5 is a quotation of Exodus 25:40 spoken to Moses, telling him that the tabernacle he was to make was a copy and shadow of what is in heaven, where Jesus our great high priest sits at the right hand of the throne of God, serving in the true sanctuary. The book of Hebrews is telling us that the Old Testament pattern was all about Christ. If it were of supreme importance that the church follow a correct pattern for gathering in order to express Christ, wouldn't the writer of Hebrews have gone on to spell this out clearly, so that future generations could read for themselves and follow it meticulously, as Israel did when they built and rebuilt the temple generations after Moses?
The second occurrence is in I Tim. 1:13-16, where Paul speaking of his conversion says that he had been a blasphemer and a violent man, but "the grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus", so that in him, "the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as a pattern"--the pattern of Christ Himself in us.
The third use of the word for pattern is in Titus 2:7 where Paul tells Titus to show himself a pattern of good works. So we might infer that since the coming of Christ, His pattern is in us, expressing Him in deeds of love. In fact, I Cor 13, which speaks of the most excellent way, is not about Christians meeting in the correct way to express the pattern. It expressly says that even if believers were to have special insight to fathom all mysteries, and have all knowledge of how things ought to be done, without love it is nothing. Love is what is of utmost importance.
One of the positive aspects of the assembly is that there were lots of opportunities to learn to love one another. There was a lot of involvement with each other. We served in ministries together, we lived together, we learned to serve one another. We were taught to keep an eye on one another, and even though our love often was expressed in a legalistic or controlling way, the concern for each another was genuine.
One of the things that makes this dissolution of assemblies painful is that we miss each other so
much, because we really do love one another. On the flip side,
there is now reconciliation happening with people we haven't seen or
spoken to for years and years, and we find ourselves talking for hours,
sharing and catching up. The Lord says in Heb. 6:10, "God is not unjust;
He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have
helped His people and continue to help them." He counts the love
we have shown one another as love shown to Himself! The pattern of
Christ's love in us is something of lasting value and significance, and
it abides.
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