Systematic Laying of the Foundation

In this session, David analyses the systematic laying of the foundation within the church. 

FOUNDATIONAL APOSTOLIC MINISTRY TODAY  |  Session 5 -  Systematic Laying of the Foundation

1/ Introduction

• • As we read the New Testament, we see teachings that can be applied systematically that Paul and the other apostles taught in each church.  Paul appealed to the truth that he had taught as a foundation when dealing with difficult issues.
  • These foundations were being laid in each local church. It is interesting that in obeying Jesus’ command to “make disciples” of all nations, the apostles worked that out by planting churches where disciple making could take place. Jesus himself formed an embryonic church with his own disciples (often a wider group than the 12) because true discipling is intended to take place within the context of a community rather than one-to-one. Therefore, being made disciples within a community underlies all I teach on the foundations of local churches.
  • Jesus was very aware of his work in laying a new foundation for the people of God. As Israel’s Messiah, he was renewing his Old Testament people and, through the eventual spread of the gospel and the church, founded an expanded people drawn from every tribe, language and nation. The well-known parable about the wise and foolish men, who built their houses upon rock and sand respectively, was of major importance in this context. It is Jesus’ explanation of a radical new foundation based on obedience to his word. The foundation of the renewed people of God had been promised in Isaiah 28:16. Kenneth Bailey points out that there was in the temple a stone called the foundation and went on to say “To hear and do my word said Jesus, was to build on the ‘foundation’ that Isaiah promised. In short, Jesus was saying, ‘I am the foundation stone… Build on me and my words and you will not be shaken. Isaiah’s parable of the destroyed building and the promised new foundation is not fulfilled in Qumran [as some who belonged to that community at the time of Jesus believed] or the second temple, but in me and my words.”
  • He and his original band of disciples sent into the world, John 20:21. As Christopher Wright puts it: “The whole Bible itself is a ‘missional’ phenomenon. The Bible renders to us the story of God’s mission through God’s people in their engagement with God’s world for the sake of the whole of God’s creation.” Apostolic ministry is responsible  for a mission to plant churches where people understand this mission of God, know the grand narrative of the whole Bible and grasp their own identity within it as communities of the presence of God who bless the nations.

2/ These truths and practices were:

I)  Who we are in Christ by the grace of God

• • • This foundation should be laid first.
  • • Jesus’ parables of grace e.g. woman in Simon the Pharisee’s house and the “Prodigal Son”.
  • • Theological aspects:
      • In Adam vs. In Christ – No longer under the power of sins, death and the law.
      • Made heirs to all the promises.
      • We understand that change in character and lifestyle takes time – living under grace in the power of the Spirit.
  • • Practical aspects: “Most Christians realise that they are saved by grace through the work of Christ on the cross and that this is received by faith, but many actually live their lives as if still under the Law, trying to achieve holiness or earn God’s favour by their own efforts. This works itself out in various forms of legalism:
      • Many Christians are motivated by guilt rather than grace.
      • ‘Overcoming” becomes a challenge that demands tremendous effort.
      • Despite a belief in God’s forgiveness, many Christians live under condemnation.
      • There is a lack of acceptance of one another. Romans 15:7.
      • Many Christians lack a sense of personal value as individuals loved by God..”

• • • Legalism is both:
      • Seeking to please God through our own efforts or good works.
      • Imposing of believers misapplication of Old Testament laws that do not reflect the “law of Christ”, putting each other under codes and rules not even supported by Scripture.

II) The Church is a family

• • • Not institutional but relational.

• • • Aspects of practical fellowship – one anothering.
      • Leadership is not hierarchical. (Paul’s instructions to Timothy re relationships in the church).

III) The Church is a community of the spirit

• • • Baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit.

• • • Importance of spiritual gifts – and freedom to use them in the church.

• • • The Presence of God tangibly among us – often demonstrated through spiritual gifts.

• • • New Testament anointing rather than Old Testament anointing.

• • • Leadership is gift and character based.

IV) The Church is to be a community devoted to God

• • • Corporate worship and prayer are foundational to the church’s life with God. 

• • • The importance of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper.

• • • Prophetic ministry in the context of prayer in the church.

V) Anointed Leadership operating in team

• • • Clear explanation of eldership or equivalent – not one person ministry.

• • • Biblical foundation for this. 

VI) A church committed to evangelism and world mission

• • • Practising all aspects of the Great Commission – Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and ends of the earth.

VII) The Church is to be committed to understanding the Kingdom of God

• • • Christ’s rule taken into the wider community.

• • • People trained to do this in their everyday life.

• • • Care for the poor and other social action.

• • • Passion for justice and overcoming racism, exploitation etc.

VIII) A church with an understanding of suffering and persecution

• • • Paul’s teaching in Acts 14:22.

© David Devenish

Systematic Laying of the Foundation - Foundational Apostolic Ministry Today - Broadcast - July 2021