It is a Biblical fact that man has often departed from the pattern God has given. In the Old Testament we have such examples as Cain (Genesis 4:2-5), Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2), and Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28-33), to name a few. In the New Testament we have warnings reminding men not to depart from God’s pattern (Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 John 4:1). 

Today, men are still departing from God’s pattern. They depart from His pattern for the organization of the church, the worship of the church, and the work of the church. They depart from His pattern for what man must do to be saved. The reason denominationalism exists is because men have departed from God’s pattern. Where God has given the pattern we dare not deviate from it in the slightest.

For it is written, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).