Our goal is to worship in a manner that is pleasing to God and according to His pattern. This principle has remained constant throughout the ages. In giving the Law at Mt. Sinai, God revealed a pattern for the tabernacle, Israel’s first house of worship (Exod. 25:8-9; Num. 8:1-4).

Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. “According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it (Exod. 25:8-9).

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you mount the lamps, the seven lamps will give light in the front of the lampstand.’ “ Aaron therefore did so; he mounted its lamps at the front of the lampstand, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. Now this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold; from its base to its flowers it was hammered work; according to the pattern which the LORD had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand (Num. 8:1-4).

Adherence to the divinely revealed pattern is an essential characteristic of the Christian dispensation.

Those whose teachings contradict the revelation of Christ and the inspired apostles stand condemned (1 Tim. 6:3-5).

If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain (1 Tim. 6:3-5).

It is the duty of overseers to exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict (Titus 1:7-11, esp. 9).

For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain (Titus 1:7-11).

Faithful evangelists must speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).

But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).