Hupotuposis in secular Greek was an outline or sketch. The Bible repeatedly appeals to the power of example. Christ is our example. Jesus was such a marvelous pattern in a great variety of ways. There is a vivid commentary on the influence of Christ in the book of Acts.
Christians are to be good examples.
Paul frequently urges the readers of his epistles to follow his example to the extent that such reflects the life of Christ. In Acts 11, when Peter, before the brothers in Jerusalem, argued the case for accepting Gentiles into the church, he cited the example of the Spirit's operation upon the household of Cornelius as proof that these people were entitled to Christian status. In Acts 15, when a question arose as to whether Gentiles would be required to practice circumcision in order to be saved, both Paul and Barnabas, as well as Peter, demonstrated, by the citation of examples, that the Lord had miraculously worked through them among the Gentiles, granting salvation without submission to the law of Moses. Back to the question of the Lord's supper. Comment on this article.