The Church: Its Organization, Order and Discipline

01 ITS FOUNDATION

“Upon this Rock I will build by church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18. COOD 7.1

The church of Christ is called a building. As it is essential to the security and permanence of a building that it have a firm foundation, so of this spiritual temple the Lord says: “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.” Isaiah 28:16. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, said, “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11. COOD 7.2

Our Saviour said of the true character building in his church, “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: he is like a man which built an house on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.” Luke 6:46-48. In the Ephesian letter, Paul writes: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.” Ephesians 2:19, 20. COOD 7.3