Pattern

Christians do not need churches preachers need churches. Christians can be Christian by themselves i.e. the Ethiopian Eunuch who went on his way rejoicing. But without churches who would pay preachers; who would pay for the edifice in which the preacher expounds?

Some believe we are to do things as they were done in the NT, that there is a pattern to be followed. Folks are pretty adamant that patterns must be followed and anyone who does otherwise is destined for Hell. When one “presides” at the Lord’s Supper they are playing Jesus’ part. I wonder if the “Gospels” left out the part where Jesus said, “Now separate and apart from the Passover we take this time as a matter of convenience to give back to God a portion of what he has given to us”?

In Exodus we have a record of the instructions God gave to Moses concerning the Passover menu and how they were to eat it.

“They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it” … “In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste.”

On the other hand we have a record of how Jesus observed the Passover:

“When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.  And as they were eating,”

It appears more like a meal in a restaurant. I believe “sop” was added which appears to be used to dip bread in, not mentioned in Exodus as well as the addition of a beverage.

Those who believe there is pattern would insist on following the instructions such as Jesus. If how things are done is important how do we reconcile Jesus attitude? Their explanation is changes were made but not recorded.