Eph 2: Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Comparison Between The Church & Temple We as Christian – not only in the temple – but are the building itself. Built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets.

The Foundation The Church / Temple Christ (1 Cor. 3:11) 1 Cor 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1 Cor. 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Eph. 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets Contradiction? Foundation: Jesus Christ, The Son of God

Harmonizing The Passages Matt. 16:18 – Built upon fact that Jesus is the Son of God 1 Cor. 3:11 – Built upon Christ Eph. 2:20 – Not built upon the men themselves - Built upon the truth that they preached! The foundation is Jesus Christ the Son of God!

Apostles & Prophets Apostles – The twelve Prophets – N.T. Prophets   Apostles are mentioned first   A foundation for Jew & Gentile fits N.T. Prophets better   Eph. 3:5; 4:8-11 – prophets refer to N.T. Prophets

I. The Fact: Jesus is the Son of God

His Claims John 5:17-19 John 9:35-37 John 10:36 John 19:7

I. The Fact: Jesus is the Son of God His Claims Evidence Miracles (Jn 20:30-31; 5:36) Testimony of the Father (Mt 3:16; 17:5; Jn 5:37) Testimony of John (Jn 5:33; 1:6,14,15,24,33,34) Old Testament Scriptures (Jn. 5:39; Acts 10:43) The Resurrection (Rom 1:4)

I. The Fact: Jesus is the Son of God II. The Foundation: Jesus Christ

A. Importance of a foundation It is the beginning point of a building It is the beginning point of a building The whole build is supported by it The whole build is supported by it If foundation is weak – whole bld in danger If foundation is weak – whole bld in danger If foundation wrong – building wrong. If foundation wrong – building wrong.

II. The Foundation: Jesus Christ A. Importance of a foundation B. Built upon principle of who Jesus is

Matt 16: When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Question Question Men say Men say Peter: Son of God Peter: Son of God On THIS Rock build On THIS Rock build

II. The Foundation: Jesus Christ A. Importance of a foundation B. Built upon principle of who Jesus is C. No other foundation but Christ 1 Cor 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

II. The Foundation: Jesus Christ A. Importance of a foundation B. Built upon principle of who Jesus is C. No other foundation but Christ If build on any other foundation – Not God’s building If build on any other foundation – Not God’s building Not a foundation of Christ and ______; only Christ Not a foundation of Christ and ______; only Christ Foundation is Divine Foundation is Divine Foundation is not some human or wisdom of men Foundation is not some human or wisdom of men

Proclaimed by Apostles & Prophets Acts 2:22-36 – Preached Christ Acts 2:22-36 – Preached Christ Acts 3:13-24 – Preached Christ Acts 3:13-24 – Preached Christ Acts 4:1-ff – Questioned for preaching Acts 4:1-ff – Questioned for preaching Acts 8:35 – Preached Christ Acts 8:35 – Preached Christ Acts 10:34-48 – Preached Christ Acts 10:34-48 – Preached Christ Acts 13:16-41 – Preached Christ Acts 13:16-41 – Preached Christ Acts 17:22-31 – Preached Christ Acts 17:22-31 – Preached Christ

I. The Fact: Jesus is the Son of God II. The Foundation: Jesus Christ III. The Force: Its Meaning to Us

We have a solid foundation We have a solid foundation Our foundation does not move, shift or change Our foundation does not move, shift or change Every evidence of the Deity of Christ - tells us of the strength of foundation & Church Every evidence of the Deity of Christ - tells us of the strength of foundation & Church We are measured and built according to the foundation We are measured and built according to the foundation United & held together by the connection to the cornerstone United & held together by the connection to the cornerstone Suggests a fixed pattern & standard of doctrine and practice Suggests a fixed pattern & standard of doctrine and practice

I. The Fact: Jesus is the Son of God II. The Foundation: Jesus Christ III. The Force: Its Meaning to Us