The manifestation of God’s wisdom which had remained a mystery from eternity is now made known in the preaching of the gospel of Christ and in the existence of the church (Ephesians 3:8-10). Such was the purpose and plan of God from eternity (Ephesians 3:11). The church was God’s plan from before the foundation of the world. That plan is carried out in Jesus Christ. God is the supreme architect of the church. The pattern is divine and is the result of divine wisdom and planning. Just as the strength and beauty of a great building manifests the wisdom of the architect; so the church evidences in its very nature and existence the wisdom of the God of Heaven who planned it.

The pattern represents not only divine planning but divine will which cannot be ignored. There are several examples in the Bible. First, God gave Noah a pattern for the ark (Genesis 6:13-22). Second, Moses was instructed to build the tabernacle according to the pattern God gave him (Exodus 25:9-40; 26:30; Numbers 8:4). Third, God gave the pattern for bearing the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:14; 37:5).

The church was built by Christ in harmony with God’s purpose and pattern (Hebrews 8:1-5; Matthew 16:18). The church is ruled by divine will and authority (Matthew 28:18-20). Christ is the head over “all things to the church.” There is no other authority in the church but His (Ephesians 1:18-23).

Kyle Campbell