The Foundation of the Church

What—or who—is the foundation of the church? The Bible’s answer might surprise you. Today, R.C. Sproul shows how this question shapes our understanding of redemptive history.

Who is the foundation of the Christian church? I like to ask that question because it’s kind of a misleading one, as I’m trying to fake people out a little bit, because inevitably when I ask Christians, “Who is the church’s foundation?” the immediate reply that the majority of people give to that question is “Christ.” Why do people say that? Well, I think the reason is obvious—because of the famous hymn: “The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Now, the primary image of foundation, however, in the New Testament when the building metaphor is used does not refer specifically to Christ. The New Testament says there is no foundation which can be laid except that which is laid in Christ Jesus. But the chief use of the metaphor of foundation is attributed to the prophets and the Apostles. The New Testament says that it is the prophets and the Apostles who are the foundation of the church, so that the church’s foundation does not begin in the New Testament; it is established early on in redemptive history, in the Old Testament. The prophets of God are the foundation upon which is built the house. The Old Testament prophets, the New Testament Apostles together comprise the foundation.

When you look at the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven in the book of Revelation and you hear this magnificent description of streets of gold and the walls that are bedecked with all these precious jewels and everything, what’s the foundation? The foundation is the prophets and the Apostles.

Now, what role does Jesus have in the building metaphor? Again and again, Christ is called the cornerstone. He is the One who anchors even the foundation and the whole building is supported, in a certain sense, by that chief cornerstone.