The Foundation
By Pat Kilpatrick

Every house has to have a good foundation to be stable and strong.  God’s church was established on a foundation that will endure forever (I Corinthians 3:11).  That foundation is of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:19-22).

Between the time of creation and when God brought the Children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage, God spoke to his people through the head of the family, the patriarch.  God gave his instructions to the patriarchs, and they passed them on to their family.  The patriarch also offered sacrifices on behalf of his family (Job 1:5).  After God led the Israelites out of Egypt into the wilderness, he gave the law to the people through Moses at Mount Sinai (Exodus Chapters 19-32).  The High Priests, who were of the tribe of Levi (direct descendants of Aaron), offered sacrifices on behalf of the people.

These old ordinances were taken away at the death of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:14-17).  These writings were nevertheless left to us for a purpose (Romans 15:4).  God speaks to us today through His Son Jesus The Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2).   In fact, Jesus was God’s Word made flesh, but while the law was given by Moses, “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:1-17).

God raised Jesus from the dead and has given him all authority over the church (Ephesians 1:19-23).  Just as the Levitical High Priests made intercession on the behalf of the Israelites, Jesus makes intercession for Christians today (Hebrews 3:1; 2:17-18; 4:14-16).  Not only does he make intercession for us, he is also offered himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 7:24-28).

Jesus commissioned his apostles to teach the world as he had taught them (Matthew 28:18-20).  The Holy Ghost would be sent to the apostles after Jesus’ ascension.  The Holy Ghost would guide them to the truth (John 14:26; John 16:7-13).  The words that they would speak and write would come by the Holy Ghost (Mark 13:10-11; II Peter 1:20-21).  Since they spoke by the authority Jesus Christ we are to pay attention their words (II Peter 3:1-2).

The scriptures furnish with all we need know to be saved (II Timothy 3:15) and it thoroughly equips us for every aspect of our spiritual lives (II Timothy 3:16-17).  Through the word we can all grow up in the Lord (Ephesians 4:11-16).  In the Word we find all that pertains to life and godliness (II Peter 1:2-4) and defense against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-17).  The Word of God in our hearts keeps us from sin (Psalm 119:11).  There is never any need for man-made creeds or doctrines, in fact such is condemned in the scriptures (Matthew 15:1-13).

It is the Christian’s duty to study so we are able to correctly handle the word (II Timothy 2:15).  Christians are to grow in the word and to teach the word (Hebrews 5:12-14; 6:1-2).  If we don’t study then we will never be complete and should be ashamed.  We must study the scriptures keeping in mind that we cannot isolate one passage of scripture from the rest of the scriptures.  If your interpretation of a passage of scriptures conflicts with another passage, then your interpretation is wrong because there is not contradiction in Gods Word (Psalm 119:160).
 
 

How firm is your foundation?

Back to the Bible Page:

Back Home: