are apostles the foundation?

Originally posted on October 28, 2008 – by Andre Piet

Last Sunday I gave a presentation in Zoetermeer on how Peter and Paul, as authorized representatives (apostles), took care of the formation of the canon of the New Testament. In connection with Ephesians 2:20 I said that it was not the ecclesia that laid its own foundation, but that the apostles themselves form the foundation of the ecclesia. I was interrupted at that moment, but then said that I first wanted to finish the presentation. In any case, after it was over the brother in question came up to me and said:
“With all due respect, but on one point I fundamentally disagreed with you. You said that the apostles are the foundation, but I ab-sol-utely do not believe that. The apostles laid the foundation, because I read in 1 Corinthians 3:11, ‘For other foundation no one is able to lay except that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.’ In Ephesians 2:20 it says that the ecclesia is being built on the foundation of the apostles. That is something different from saying that the apostles are the foundation.”

I could not do otherwise than agree with this brother, and hereby wish to pass on the correction. The foundation of the apostles is the Word spoken and recorded by the apostles. Not the persons themselves, but that which they have laid down concerning Christ, forms the foundation of the Ecclesia.

The explanation I gave in passing of the cornerstone as a capstone in the building is, upon further reflection, also dubious. A cornerstone could indeed very well be a capstone in a building, but it does not have to be. For the same word that is used in Eph. 2:20 for “cornerstone” is also found in 1 Pet. 2:6, where, among other things, Isa. 28:16 is quoted. In both cases it unmistakably concerns the stone as foundation: the stone upon which one builds and over which one may stumble.

Which once again confirms: accept nothing at face value that is put forward on this site, but examine for yourselves in the Scriptures “whether these things are so.”

Delen: