3. Christ is the foundation of the church Foundation: Jesus or Peter? Peter’s role would be providing entrance, not foundation Jesus, speaking to Peter, did NOT say, “Upon you I will build…” The foundation is the truth in Peter’s answer Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) Whoever denies this is a liar and antichrist (I John 2:22) Whoever believes this has been born of God (I John 5:1) Jesus is the Son of God Whoever denies this calls God a liar (I John 5:10) Whoever confesses this, God abides in him (I John 4:15) The church is built on Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God

4. Christ is the foundation of the church Jesus is the cornerstone Cornerstone – beginning, most important, aligns the building Apostles & prophets (Eph. 2:18-22) Prophets (Isa. 28:16; Psa. 118:22; Zech. 6:13; Dan. 7:13-14) Apostles (Acts 2:36; 9:20; I Peter 2:4-6; I Cor. 3:5-11) All these point to the cornerstone, Christ What happens when Christ isn’t the cornerstone? What happens when Christ isn’t the foundation?

5. Constantine, Boniface III Martin Luther King Henry VII John Knox John Smyth John Wesley Joseph Smith Ellen G. White Charles T. Russell Mary Baker Eddy Charles Fox Parham What happens when Christ isn’t the foundation? Catholic Lutheran Anglican Presbyterian Baptist Methodist Mormon 7 th Day Adventist Jehovah's Witness Christian Science Pentecostal

6. Christ is the foundation of the church Jesus is the cornerstone Cornerstone – beginning, most important, aligns the building Apostles & prophets (Eph. 2:18-22) Prophets (Isa. 28:16; Psa. 118:22; Zech. 6:13; Dan. 7:13-14) Apostles (Acts 2:36; 9:20; I Peter 2:4-6; I Cor. 3:5-11) All these point to the cornerstone, Christ What happens when Christ isn’t the cornerstone? Division (I Cor. 1:11-13; II Tim. 4:3-4) Councils of men (Nicaea, 4th century) New churches today

7. Gospel is the foundation of our faith God has spoken through Christ (Heb. 1:2) Christ is the Word (John 1:1, 14) – communicator, revealer Christ is the truth (John 14:6) Faith comes from God’s word (Rom. 10:17) Work of apostles Provide access to the kingdom through preaching (Matt. 16:19) Go, teach, baptize (Matt. 28:18-20; John 15:16) Holy Spirit working through them (John 16:13-14; I Thess. 2:13) What happens when the Bible isn’t the foundation?

8. Catholic Catechism Lutheran Catechism Book of Common Prayer Confession of Faith Baptist Manual Methodist Discipline Mormon, D&C, JST Testimonies Watchtower Tract Society Key to Scriptures Constitution, Articles of Faith What happens when the Bible isn’t the foundation? Catholics Lutherans Anglicans Presbyterians Baptists Methodists Mormons 7 th Day Adventists Jehovah's Witnesses Christian Science Pentecostals

9. Gospel is the foundation of our faith God has spoken through Christ (Heb. 1:2) Christ is the Word (John 1:1, 14) – communicator, revealer Christ is the truth (John 14:6) Faith comes from God’s word (Rom. 10:17) Work of apostles Provide access to the kingdom through preaching (Matt. 16:19) Go, teach, baptize (Matt. 28:18-20; John 15:16) Holy Spirit working through them (John 16:13-14; I Thess. 2:13) What happens when the Bible isn’t the foundation? Division (I Tim. 4:1) 4 th century AD – creeds of men (Nicaea) Creeds are constantly being written/changed