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It Can't be Done
by Lowell Blasingame
"Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1: 13). This is Paul's admonition to Timothy after having told him of the Spirit's prediction that some would depart from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1-3). Vine says that the expressions "hold fast" and "form" mean "steadfast adherence to" and "an outline or sketch" (Vol. 11, pg. 253, 125). Thus, the admonition to "hold fast the form of sound words" is one commanding the giving of steadfast adherence to the outline or sketch, of sound words that he had been taught.
Ten ladies cannot take the same pattern and steadfastly adhere to its outline or sketch and make dresses that differ. If one makes a dress with a square collar and another one with a round one, or one a dress with a zipper in the front and another one with buttons, its evident that someone has not steadfastly adhered to the sketch or outline given in the pattern.
Ten builders cannot take the same blueprints and build houses that differ in shape and arrangement. If one builds a house having three bedrooms and another one having two, or if one places the kitchen on the south side and another places it on the north side of the house, someone has not steadfastly adhered to the sketch or outline given in the blueprint.
Neither can ten preachers take the same Bible and preach different doctrines and make members of different religious organizations. When preachers teach doctrines that differ and cause persons to become members of different, religious bodies, someone is not steadfastly adhering to the sketch or outline of sound words that inspiration has given.
The ladies cannot do it by steadfastly adhering to the pattern, the builders cannot do it by steadfastly adhering to the blueprints, and preachers cannot do it by obeying Paul's admonition to Timothy.
Other Articles by Lowell Blasingame
The Lord's People -- The Church
Is God Powerless Today?
Is the Restoration Plea Valid?
Growing Up
Baptism Isn't For!
Cross-Centered Preaching
"By What Authority"
Rejecting the Reins
Are All Churches of Christ Alike?
