Summary: Brethren, let us open our hearts and minds to the Word of God this morning. We gather as the Church, the body of Christ, and it is crucial that we understand the structure and foundation upon which we are built. For without a firm foundation, no building can stand. And so it is with the Church.

The Foundational Role of Apostles and Spiritual Gifts in the Church

Introduction: Christ, the Cornerstone

Brethren, let us open our hearts and minds to the Word of God this morning. We gather as the Church, the body of Christ, and it is crucial that we understand the structure and foundation upon which we are built. For without a firm foundation, no building can stand. And so it is with the Church.

Let us turn to 1 Corinthians 3:11 (KJV), where the Apostle Paul declares: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

• Read 1 Corinthians 3:11 (KJV) aloud.

Here, beloved, is our starting point. Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone, the very foundation upon which everything else is built. Without Him, there is no Church, no salvation, no hope. He is the chief cornerstone, elect, precious, as it is also written in 1 Peter 2:6 (KJV): "Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded."

• Read 1 Peter 2:6 (KJV) aloud.

Christ is paramount, the head of the body, the Church. He is the source of all authority and all spiritual life. But the Lord in His wisdom did not leave us as a shapeless mass. He established order and structure within His Church, building upon this cornerstone.

The Foundation: The Apostles

Now, let us consider the foundation laid upon this Cornerstone. Turn with me to Ephesians 2:20 (KJV): "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone."

• Read Ephesians 2:20 (KJV) aloud.

Here we see clearly that the Church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. These were not ordinary men, brethren. They were chosen by Christ Himself, eyewitnesses to His ministry, death, and resurrection. They were sent forth with divine authority to establish the Church and to deliver the foundational teachings of our faith.

Consider also Revelation 21:14 (KJV), describing the New Jerusalem: "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

• Read Revelation 21:14 (KJV) aloud.

The very walls of the eternal city, the New Jerusalem, are founded upon the twelve apostles! This speaks volumes about their indispensable role. Their teachings, their prophecies, their doctrines – these are not mere opinions or suggestions. They are the very foundation upon which we stand.

The early Church in Acts 2:42 (KJV) "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

• Read Acts 2:42 (KJV) aloud.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' doctrine. This was fundamental. Their words were not just helpful advice; they were divine instruction, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Their prophecies, like those recorded in the book of Acts and their letters, were not fleeting pronouncements but enduring truths for the Church age. Their teachings, preserved in the Holy Scriptures, are the bedrock of our faith and practice. They are fundamental, universal, and timeless.

The Five-Fold Ministry: Gifts of Prophecy and Teaching

Building upon this foundation of apostles and prophets, the Lord has gifted the Church with other ministries. Let us turn to Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV): "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

• Read Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV) aloud.

Here we see the five-fold ministry: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Notice that prophets and teachers are listed amongst these office gifts. These are not foundational in the same way as the original apostles, but they are crucial for the ongoing health and growth of the Church.

These ministers, gifted by Christ, also operate in prophetic gifts and in teaching. Their prophecies and teachings are vital for the edification, encouragement, and guidance of the Church in specific contexts and times. They help to interpret and apply the foundational apostolic teachings to the present needs of the body of Christ. However, their prophetic utterances and teachings, while valuable and Spirit-led, are not to be placed on the same level as the foundational prophecies and doctrines of the apostles. They build upon the foundation, they do not replace it.

Individual Believers: Spiritual Gifts for All

Now, what about the rest of us, the individuals within the Church? Does the Spirit of God only work through these appointed offices? By no means! 1 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV) tells us: "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."

• Read 1 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV) aloud.

Every man! Every believer born of the Spirit is given a manifestation of the Spirit, spiritual gifts to profit the whole body. 1 Corinthians 12:11 (KJV) further clarifies: "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

• Read 1 Corinthians 12:11 (KJV) aloud.

The Holy Spirit distributes gifts as He wills, to all believers. This can include gifts of prophecy, teaching, and many others listed in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12. Every born-again believer has the potential to operate in spiritual gifts. This is a glorious truth! We are not passive recipients, but active participants in the work of the Spirit.

However, it is crucial to understand the scope and purpose of these gifts in the lives of individual believers. While every believer can prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:31), and teach, and operate in other gifts, these are generally of limited scope and not intended for universal application in the same way as the apostolic foundation.

These gifts are for edification, exhortation, and comfort within the local body and in specific situations. They are not meant to establish new doctrines or to contradict the foundational teachings of the apostles. They are meant to build upon that foundation, to apply it, and to make it alive in the hearts of believers.

"And upon this foundation of the apostles and prophets, what are we, the believers? The Apostle Peter gives us a powerful image in 1 Peter 2:5 (KJV): 'Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'

• Read 1 Peter 2:5 (KJV) aloud.

"Behold, brethren, we are not merely spectators in this grand design! We are lively stones! Living, breathing, contributing parts of this spiritual house that God is building. This house, the Church, is being erected upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the unshakeable cornerstone. We, as lively stones, are being 'built up' – a continuous, ongoing process. Each of us, uniquely shaped and gifted by the Holy Spirit, is essential to this spiritual structure. Just as each stone in a building has its place and purpose, so too do we, as believers, have a vital role to play in the Church.

And remember, brethren, that we have already seen that 'the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal' (1 Corinthians 12:7). These spiritual gifts that operate through each of us, these 'lively stones', are not just for our own benefit, but for the building up of this very spiritual house, the Church. We are being assembled together, upon the foundation, as living, breathing stones, each contributing our unique gifts to create a glorious dwelling place for God."

Hierarchy and Order

So, we see a beautiful and divinely ordained hierarchy in the Church:

1. Christ the Cornerstone: The ultimate authority, the source of all life and truth.

2. The Apostles: The foundation, whose teachings and prophecies are fundamental and universally applicable.

3. The Five-Fold Ministry: Building upon the foundation, equipping the saints, with prophetic and teaching gifts for the Church's ongoing needs.

4. Individual Believers: Each gifted by the Spirit, operating in spiritual gifts for mutual edification and service within the body.

This is not a rigid, oppressive hierarchy, but a loving and functional order established by God for the flourishing of His Church. Each level is vital and plays its part. Just as a building needs a cornerstone, a foundation, supporting pillars, and individual bricks to be strong and beautiful, so too the Church needs each part functioning in its God-ordained role.

It is vital to recognize the distinction in scope and authority. The apostles' teachings are the plumb line, the standard against which all other teachings and prophecies must be measured. The gifts operating through individual believers are precious and necessary, but they are not intended to replace or supersede the foundational apostolic truth.

Conclusion: Unity in Diversity

In conclusion, brethren, let us appreciate the beautiful order God has established in His Church. Let us honor Christ as the Cornerstone, cherish the foundational teachings of the apostles, respect the ministry of the five-fold gifts, and encourage every believer to operate in their spiritual gifts.

Let us not confuse the levels or diminish the importance of any part. Let us understand that while all gifts are from the same Spirit, there is a divine order and purpose for each. Let us walk in humility, recognizing our place in the body of Christ, and together, build up the Church upon the sure foundation of Jesus Christ and the apostles' doctrine.

Let us strive for unity in diversity, recognizing the unique contribution of each part of the body, all working together for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom.

Amen.

• Close with a prayer, inviting the congregation to reflect on the message and to seek to understand their role in the body of Christ.