Christ the Foundation Stone
By H. W. COTTRELL
Peter Is Not the Rock on Which the Church Is Founded The foundation of the church of God and of Christ Jesus the Lord stands sure. Christ is that spiritual foundation. “Ye [Christians] are God’s building.” 1 Cor. 3:9. God’s building is His church. The foundation of this building, which He will by His grace make perfect, is Christ the divine Lord—not Peter, nor his confession of faith in Christ. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Verse 11. WOULD LAY ANOTHER FOUNDATION
He who declares Peter to be the foundation of the church of God, lays another foundation; he who lays for a foundation Peter’s divinely inspired confession of faith in Christ, builds on another foundation. The spiritual church of Christ has been six thousand years under process of erection, and it will one day be completed and decked with heavenly glory and spotless purity; thus it will be without “wrinkle, or any such thing.” Had the church under process of construction been founded either upon Peter or upon his confession, it would have fallen when he lost his anchorage—denied the Lord. Christ is the spiritual foundation of the church, and “the foundation of God standeth sure.” Queried the Master, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” The reply was, “John the Baptist,” “Elias,” “Jeremias,” or “one of the prophets.” Opinions of men varied, and none were correct. In answer to another query, Peter said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God;” Jesus then informed Peter that his vision of Him [Christ] was a heaven-revealed message, even though men may not believe it, or believing, should later deny it. Of Peter Jesus said: “Blessed art thou: . . . for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 16:13-17. Peter was blessed, as is every soul who acquaints himself with and accepts the divine Christ as his personal Saviour. Again, “I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter”—a small stone—a mere man. The Master then turned the trend of thought of the disciples back to the question under consideration, as to who He was, and said of Himself, “the Son of the living God.” “Upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Verse 18. Surely Christ is an enduring foundation upon which each individual may rest, and thus will rest the church. The sleeping saint cannot be so securely barred in the tomb but that the church of Jesus Christ will triumph. The word of God is the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Surely then, Peter, and as verily every true Christian, can go forth, and upon the authority of the word of God, give assurance to those who would enter into favor with Christ, that such decision is “bound” both in heaven and on earth; and may also give equal assurance to the incorrigible that without repentance their doom is settled both in heaven and on earth. “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.” Isa. 28:16. “They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” 1 Cor. 10:4.