Note: Devotion based on last Sunday's sermon on Ephesians 2:17-22.
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).
Paul is saying here that the church is like a building. How is it like a building? It is built or constructed upon a sure foundation. Get the foundation wrong and the building is structurally unsound and will not pass code and may collapse and injure many.
Paul says first that assemblies of authentic believers are “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” In 3:5 he speaks of revelations of mysteries concerning Christ having been revealed to apostles and prophets.
By “apostles” Paul is speaking of those who held the extra-ordinary office of leadership, having been chosen to be among the twelve. Beyond the twelve, Matthias took the place of Judas (Acts 1) and Paul was added to this group by direct commission by the risen Lord himself (Acts 9). All were eyewitnesses of the risen Lord.
By “prophets” Paul might have been speaking of the OT prophets, like Moses and Isaiah, who spoke of Christ in prophecy, but also of NT prophets like Agabus.
Believers have their faith established by resting on the authoritative teaching of the apostles and prophets. In Acts 2:42 Luke says the church at Jerusalem continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, and in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. See Jude 1:17, “But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
To be built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets is to be grounded in the inspired writings and teachings of the apostles and prophets.
But notice Paul does not stop there. This foundation is not laid upon mere men alone, but, “Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” This comes from the prophecy of Psalm 118:22-23.
R. C. Sproul observed that the stone described here “has its roots in ancient masonry. It was the brick by which the builder lined up the whole building. Often it was the first brick to be laid. It was the keystone for the whole building—pull this brick out and everything falls. So the foundation was laid in and upon the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians, 71-72).
This is a timely passage today, as our Roman Catholic friends will soon recognize a new Pope as head of their church. They claim that the church is built upon Peter, as the rock. We say that the church is built upon Peter’s confession that the Lord Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:15-28). The Pope is not the head of the church; that role is already taken by Christ himself, and he will suffer no pretenders to this position.
Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle
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