The Church's One Foundation

Have you ever tried to stack dominoes on carpet? It is nearly impossible. You may finally get one to stand, but another falls. Carpet is not a sturdy foundation; if you are trying to stack dominoes, your frustration level quickly turns to that of a struggling toddler. The irritation builds until you abandon the plan together. 

Now, let us change the scenario. You still desire to build a tower of dominoes, but this time you go to the hard floor. What happens now? You find that not only is it possible to stack dominoes, but it is also easier. It is amazing what a good foundation will do. 

When God built His church, He laid a solid foundation that cannot be broken, a foundation where we cannot be moved or shaken. Our firm foundation is Jesus Christ through His inspired apostles. 

The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:1-2 NASB) 

In his writings, Luke reveals Jesus through the things He said and did. Christ is the standard, the cornerstone, the pivotal piece upon which all else must fit or be rejected. The Son of God is the Rock on which we stand. 

Christ’s chosen apostles laid the rest of His foundation, fleshing out His commands, His Person, and His vision. They then guided God’s people in the truth until followers became like their Master Redeemer. The apostles had to be equipped before they could lay the rest of the church’s foundation. 

Jesus equipped His apostles with four things in Acts 1: evidence, power, mission, and hope. 

Evidence (Acts 1:3) 

What is the ultimate proof that the apostles’ faith was not in vain? Jesus presented Himself alive, giving many convincing proofs.  

The God-man, Jesus, was not an illusion or hallucination. Scripture records that He appeared to more than 500 people at once. He was not an imposter who portrayed Jesus because He spoke in the same manner and taught the same things about the kingdom. The resurrected Lord was not an idea concocted by the fear-stricken disciples. They witnessed miracles, touched the holes in His hands and feet, ate with Him, walked with Him, listened to Him, and experienced Him. After 40 days, there was no doubt in the disciples’ minds that this was truly Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God, and Lord. They boldly proclaimed Jesus as alive, never denying Him again. 

The church stands on the evidence of Jesus as laid out by His apostles in the New Testament. Our faith is not blind; it is attested to us by many convincing proofs. 

Power (Acts 1:4-5) 

The night Jesus was betrayed, He promised to send a Helper to the disciples (John 14:16). In Acts 1:8, He reminds them of that promise, saying it was coming to pass. 

God’s Spirit descended upon the apostles ten days later while 120 believers were praying (Acts 1:26-2:4). The Spirit filled them with the power to do miracles, reveal truth, and give guidance to share Jesus with the world. 

Our conversion experience may not have been a mighty display that shook the earth, but in the quiet of sorrow and repentance, being lifted out of the watery grave of baptism, we received a peaceful and powerful gift: God dwelling in us through His Holy Spirit. 

The Spirit applies the sacrifice of Jesus, granting forgiveness and eternal life. He is the seal of redemption and the Sanctifier who empowers us to live a life of godliness. We are Christians because the Holy Spirit lives in us. 

Jesus laid the foundation through the apostles. Their example shows us the life-changing power of the Spirit in believers. We live by faith, walking by the Spirit, so that we can glorify God and be like Jesus. 

Mission (Acts 1:6-8) 

The apostles had been wondering for years about how Jesus would restore Israel. They probably expected Him to use His authority to place Israel back on top. There was a problem with that belief—Jesus never said He was going to do that. 

A simple read through of the gospels brings the realization that He never promises to restore Israel to her former glory. In fact, He promises the opposite (Matthew 24:1–2), and in AD 70, the Romans destroyed the temple, burned the priestly records, and left Judaism trembling. Our Lord’s purpose was not to restore Israel but to redeem sinners (Matthew 1:21, Luke 19:10, 1 Timothy 1:15). 

Jesus did not take the time to correct their fallacious question; that was one reason He was sending the Holy Spirit upon them. Instead, He redirected their focus to the mission: to be His witnesses. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Don’t get distracted, stay on mission.” 

Church, understand that God’s full plan and intentions are only known by God. Do not worry about what you do not understand; just do what God has called you to do. Be a beacon of light for Christ, making disciples in the world around you. 

Hope (Acts 1:9-11) 

The apostles watched longingly as Jesus ascended. They stared until their Lord and Friend was well out of sight. Then two angels roused them to reality and gave them something to hold onto, essentially saying, “He’s coming back. Now get to work.” 

Church, we need to remember and echo that call. Our hope, our eternal purpose, our glory is coming back in the same way He left. It is a constant reminder of our calling, and it refocuses us on the goal. Jesus is coming back, but until He does, there is work to be done. 

Our faith has evidence, and our walk has power. Stay focused on the mission with the hope of Christ. The church is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ through His apostles. If we build our house on the Rock, then we will not be moved.