Foundation of The Church.

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Foundation of The Church.

Forum: Theological Expressions
Re:

The clergy/laity distinction: a help or a hindrance to the body of Christ? (RTC)
Re:

The bible did show some how............. (Emmanuel)
Date: 2001, Jul 29
From: Bill Roth bmadroth

In Ephesians 2 and in 1 Corinthians 3 the Bible speaks of "foundation"

Eph 2:18-21 (KJV)

18. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 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:

Here the Bible tells the Ephesians that they are "of the household of God and are "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets." Jesus Christ being "the chief cornerstone."
In the text "the chief conrenstone" is one word - akrogoniaios. In buildings this was the first stone laid in the foundation. It went at an extreme corner and was the stone in the foundation upon which all of the others depended. If this corner stone failed the building would collapse. This is why God trusted that his Church would be built upon Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 3:1-11 (KJV)

1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ. 2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able. 3. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4. For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5. Who then is Paul, and who [is] Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 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.

Here we see the Paul is correcting the Corinthians. The Church at Corrinth was having strife and divisions. Some were saying "I am of Paul" or "I am of Apollos." Today many Christians similarly identifying themselves with the teachings of a particular man or apostle. Paul is correcting this error. The man may lay the foundation but is is clearly stated in verse 11, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
We cannot disregard these plain and clear verses in favor of the one that is not so clear. They should be understoold in light of each other.
Understanding the truth that God gave us in the Bible is not regurgitating Scriptures out of context or one verse tit tat. Nor is it going to them recklessly in attempt to prove "my beliefs."
Rather, we are to "rightly divide the word of truth." We must handle the Word of God honestly and with the utmost respect. Like those referred to in 2 Cor 4:2: (KJV)
"But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God".
Bill Roth