True Unity: The Foundation of Apostolic Teaching

 

Summary

Unity that is not grounded in truth is artificial and not part of God's plan. True unity must be built on a solid foundation, and the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of this foundation in his teachings. The foundation of the church is laid upon the apostles and prophets, and understanding their roles is crucial to understanding true unity. An apostle is defined as one who has seen the Risen Lord and is specially commissioned by Him to preach the Gospel. This unique calling is accompanied by the authority to perform miracles, which attests to their role as apostles.

Prophets, whether from the Old or New Testament, are those who receive direct messages from God to impart to others. In the early church, prophets played a vital role in conveying spiritual truths before the New Testament scriptures were fully formed. The church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, both as believers and as teachers of doctrine. Their teachings form the bedrock of the church, and it is through faith in these teachings that believers become part of the church.

The apostolic message is the only basis for true unity, and it is essential to adhere to this message without compromise. Christianity is an exclusive faith, and the teachings of the apostles are clear and definable. The foundation of the church includes the belief that humanity is naturally dead in sin and under God's wrath, but through the grace of God and the work of Jesus Christ, salvation is possible. The deity of Christ and His sacrificial death are non-negotiable truths that must be upheld. The blood of Christ is central to salvation, and any denial of this is a denial of the foundation of the faith.

Key Takeaways:

- True unity in the church must be built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, emphasizing the importance of their teachings and roles. Without this foundation, unity is artificial and not part of God's plan. [14:53]

- An apostle is one who has seen the Risen Lord and is commissioned by Him to preach the Gospel. This unique calling is accompanied by the authority to perform miracles, which attests to their role as apostles. [16:16]

- Prophets, whether from the Old or New Testament, receive direct messages from God to impart to others. Their role was crucial in the early church before the New Testament scriptures were fully formed. [20:15]

- The apostolic message is the only basis for true unity, and Christianity is an exclusive faith. The teachings of the apostles are clear and definable, and adherence to these teachings is essential. [26:03]

- The foundation of the church includes the belief in humanity's natural state of sin and the necessity of Christ's sacrificial death for salvation. The blood of Christ is central to salvation, and any denial of this is a denial of the foundation of the faith. [28:56]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[14:53] - The Importance of a Solid Foundation
[15:45] - Understanding the Role of Apostles
[16:32] - Paul's Unique Apostolic Calling
[17:31] - The Authority of Apostles
[18:31] - Defining the Role of Prophets
[19:15] - Old vs. New Testament Prophets
[20:15] - The Nature of Prophetic Revelation
[21:34] - Apostles and Prophets as Believers
[23:24] - The Teaching of Apostles and Prophets
[24:21] - Faith as the Basis of Church Membership
[25:32] - The Exclusivity of the Apostolic Message
[27:17] - The Foundation of Apostolic Teaching
[28:09] - The Necessity of Christ's Sacrificial Death
[29:43] - The Centrality of the Blood of Christ

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:19-22
2. 1 Corinthians 9:1
3. Acts 26:16-18

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 2:19-22 say about the foundation of the church? How does this relate to the roles of apostles and prophets? [22:25]
2. According to 1 Corinthians 9:1, what qualifications does Paul mention that affirm his role as an apostle? [17:15]
3. In Acts 26:16-18, what specific mission does Jesus give to Paul, and how does this illustrate the unique calling of an apostle? [17:48]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of prophets in the early church, and why was their role crucial before the New Testament was fully formed? [21:07]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the foundation of apostles and prophets ensure true unity within the church, according to the sermon? [14:53]
2. What is the significance of the apostolic message being the only basis for true unity in Christianity? How does this exclusivity impact the church today? [26:03]
3. Why is the belief in the deity of Christ and His sacrificial death considered non-negotiable in the foundation of the faith? [28:24]
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between faith in the teachings of the apostles and prophets and becoming part of the church? [23:38]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your understanding of the foundation of the church. How does this understanding influence your view of unity within your local church community? [14:53]
2. The sermon emphasizes the exclusivity of the apostolic message. How do you navigate conversations with those who hold different beliefs while maintaining the integrity of your faith? [26:03]
3. Consider the role of apostles and prophets as described in the sermon. How can you apply their dedication to truth and teaching in your own spiritual journey? [23:24]
4. The sermon highlights the centrality of the blood of Christ for salvation. How does this truth impact your daily life and interactions with others? [28:56]
5. In what ways can you ensure that your faith is grounded in the teachings of the apostles and prophets, rather than modern interpretations or trends? [26:33]
6. How can you actively contribute to fostering true unity in your church, based on the foundation discussed in the sermon? [14:53]
7. Reflect on a time when you faced a challenge to your faith. How did the foundational truths of Christianity help you navigate that situation? [27:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Unity Rooted in Apostolic and Prophetic Foundations
True unity in the church is not merely a superficial agreement among believers but is deeply rooted in the teachings and roles of the apostles and prophets. The apostles, having witnessed the Risen Lord, were uniquely commissioned to spread the Gospel, and their authority was confirmed through miracles. Prophets, both from the Old and New Testaments, received direct revelations from God, playing a crucial role in the early church before the New Testament was fully formed. The teachings of these foundational figures form the bedrock of the church, and it is through faith in these teachings that believers are united as part of the church. Without this foundation, any perceived unity is artificial and not aligned with God's plan. [14:53]

Ephesians 2:19-20 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek to understand and embrace the teachings of the apostles and prophets to strengthen your unity with fellow believers today?


Day 2: The Unique Calling and Authority of Apostles
An apostle is defined as one who has seen the Risen Lord and is specially commissioned by Him to preach the Gospel. This unique calling is accompanied by the authority to perform miracles, which attests to their role as apostles. The apostles' teachings are not just historical accounts but are the authoritative basis for the church's doctrine and practice. Understanding the role and authority of the apostles helps believers appreciate the divine origin and power of the Gospel message they proclaimed. [16:16]

2 Corinthians 12:12 (ESV): "The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works."

Reflection: How can you recognize and respect the authority of the apostolic teachings in your daily walk with Christ?


Day 3: The Role of Prophets in Conveying God's Truth
Prophets, whether from the Old or New Testament, are those who receive direct messages from God to impart to others. In the early church, prophets played a vital role in conveying spiritual truths before the New Testament scriptures were fully formed. Their messages were not their own but were divinely inspired, providing guidance and revelation to the early believers. Understanding the role of prophets helps believers appreciate the continuity and consistency of God's message throughout history. [20:15]

Amos 3:7 (ESV): "For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets."

Reflection: How can you be more attentive to the ways God might be speaking to you through His Word and through others today?


Day 4: The Exclusivity of the Apostolic Message
The apostolic message is the only basis for true unity, and Christianity is an exclusive faith. The teachings of the apostles are clear and definable, and adherence to these teachings is essential. The foundation of the church includes the belief that humanity is naturally dead in sin and under God's wrath, but through the grace of God and the work of Jesus Christ, salvation is possible. This exclusivity is not a barrier but a clear path to understanding and experiencing the fullness of God's grace. [26:03]

Acts 4:12 (ESV): "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that your faith and understanding are aligned with the clear and definable teachings of the apostles?


Day 5: The Centrality of Christ's Sacrificial Death
The foundation of the church includes the belief in humanity's natural state of sin and the necessity of Christ's sacrificial death for salvation. The blood of Christ is central to salvation, and any denial of this is a denial of the foundation of the faith. The deity of Christ and His sacrificial death are non-negotiable truths that must be upheld. Embracing these truths allows believers to fully experience the transformative power of the Gospel. [28:56]

Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Reflection: How does the understanding of Christ's sacrificial death impact your daily life and your relationship with God?

Quotes


Truth for a Unity which isn't based upon truth is false it's manmade it's not God's plan it's unreal it's Furious very well then I say the Apostle now is teaching us all that in this way builded he says upon the foundation you see brings us to the vital thing at once there can be no true Building without a right foundation you got to start with Foundation says Paul you can't talk of a building without knowing something about its foundation that's absolutely vital and Central. [00:14:32]

An apostle was one who had to have seen the Risen Lord by definition an apostle is one who is a witness to the resurrection because he has seen the Risen Lord now that you see was one of the qualifications of Paul himself he saw the Risen Lord on the way to Damascus if he hadn't he could never have been an apostle he might have been a preacher he might have been a prophet he might have been a great teacher but he could never have been an apostle if he hadn't seen the Lord on the road to Damascus. [00:16:06]

The Apostle is one who is specially commissioned by Christ having seen him risen from the dead to go out and preach the message not only that the apostles were given a very special Authority they were given power to work miracles and to do various other things and it was these that attested their Authority as Apostles now those are the three main characteristics of an apostle you'll see in a moment how vital it is that we should Bear all that in mind without those three things no man is an apostle or in any sort of apostolic succession. [00:17:53]

A prophet is one who receives a direct message from God one to whom truth is revealed directly by the spirit not as the result of reading the scripture or anything else but a direct message given which he in turn is to impart to others the Apostle Paul defines it for us in 1 Corinthians 14 first verse he that prophesy proph prophesieth he says speaketh unto men to edification and exaltation and to comfort and there is no doubt that in the Christian church in the early days there were these people called prophets. [00:20:25]

The foundation of the Apostles and Prophets and the answer is this it means partly the men themselves as Believers the men as those exercising Faith they after all were the first Believers the apostles and Prophets The First Believers and in that sense the whole super structure goes up from them there is no doubt at all that that is partly the meaning that as they were the first to be laid there in this great building as kind of foundation Stones so it is right to refer to them as Believers as those exercising this faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:22:25]

The teaching of the Apostles and Prophets that after all is the fundamental Foundation none of us can come into the church without believing it is as the result of believing that we derive all our benefits and are made what we are the difference is between Believers and unbelievers unbelievers are not in the Church Believers are in the church well what do they believe well they believe the teaching so that the foundation in the last analysis is the teaching of the Apostles and Prophets their Doctrine they taught of course what they believed themselves. [00:23:34]

Christianity is the most intolerant faith it says this and this alone is right and is true and the Apostle even says if any other men preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached even though it be an angel from heaven let him be a cursor there is no other gospel other Foundation can no man lay than that which is laid in other words the only basis of unity today as it was in the early church is the apostolic message and whatever men may think or say we must assert this. [00:25:31]

It's not my opinion or anybody else's opinion that matters what does the word teach what did the apostles teach I know nothing apart from that it isn't modern knowledge or modern research or modern understanding or modern ideas of God no no it's what these men taught it's the only gospel and clearly it's something that can be defined if it can't be defined how could the Apostle reprimand the Galatians how could he call them back how could he ask them certain questions they knew what he taught and it can be known. [00:26:21]

The foundation that man by nature is dead in trespasses and in sins that he is under the wrath of God it's the Apostle who says it I'm not saying it it's the Apostle and therefore I say to you that unless you believe that man by nature is dead in trespasses and sins and that there is such a thing as the Roth of God upon sin whatever else you may be are not in this Holy Temple in the Lord in which God dwells this is the foundation. [00:27:28]

The blood of Christ it is by his death by his sacrificial death by his substituting himself for us to Bear the punishment of our sins it is by the blood of Christ listen to it wherefore remember that in time that ye being in times past Gentiles In the Flesh were called uncircumcision that he were without Christ being aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenant of Promise having no hope and without God in the world but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. [00:28:50]

The blood of Christ he bore my sins in his own body on the tree It Is by that alone that I am delivered and then the power of God in regeneration the gift of the spirit Union with Christ that's the doctrine all that the Apostle has been teaching Us in this wonderful chapter very well then my. [00:29:56]

The apostolic message is the only basis for true unity, and Christianity is an exclusive faith. The teachings of the apostles are clear and definable, and adherence to these teachings is essential. The foundation of the church includes the belief in humanity's natural state of sin and the necessity of Christ's sacrificial death for salvation. The blood of Christ is central to salvation, and any denial of this is a denial of the foundation of the faith. [00:30:00]

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Transcript
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