Foundation

Note: Gospels tell the apostles what to do. Acts tells what the apostles did.

Ephesians 2:20

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Study Bible Language: "We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord."

Summary: The church is not built upon modern ideas but rather on the spiritual heritage given to us by the early apostles and prophets of the Christian church.

1 Cor. 3:11

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what

sort it is.

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

Study Bible Language: "Because of God's special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have - Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or straw. But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But, if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.

Summary:

The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ. Paul laid the foundation (by preaching Christ) when he began the church in Corinth. Whoever builds the church -officers, teachers, preachers, parents and others - must build with high quality materials (right doctrine and right living) that meets God's standards.

A building is only as strong as its foundation. The foundation of our church is Jesus Christ. Everything we do must fit into the pattern provided by him.

The church must be build upon Christ, not on any other person or principle. Christ will evaluate each minister's contribution to the life of the church, and judgment day will reveal the sincerity of each person's work. Good work will be rewarded; unfaithful work will be discounted. "The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames" means that the unfaithful workers will be saved, but only by the skin of their teeth. All their accomplishments will count for nothing.

GO BACK TO BIRTH OF CHURCH SYLLABUS

This page was updated by Lisa Davis on 7-24-05.
Data compiled by Gary La Porta.