Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 10, 2008

The Foundation of the Church is Christ, but more specifically, the Effective Redemption done by Christ

As some of you may know, I am daily reading through Scripture in its order.  The devotion for a few days ago included I Corinthians 3:12-23.
 
The key verses for this devotion are I Corinthians 3: 10-11:
 
“10  According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.
                                                    
11  For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
                                                             
In his Commentary on I Corinthians 3:11, Calvin states:  “…Now the fundamental doctrine, which it were unlawful to undermine, is, that we learn Christ, for Christ is the only foundation of the Church; but there are many who, while they make use of Christ’s name in pretense, tear up the whole truth of God by the roots.
                                                       
Let us observe, then, in what way the Church is rightly built upon Christ. It is when he alone is set forth for righteousness, redemption, sanctification, wisdom, satisfaction and cleansing; in short, for life and glory; or if you would have it stated more briefly, when he is proclaimed in such a manner that his office and influence are understood in accordance with what we found stated in the close of the first chapter. (1 Corinthians 1:30.) If, on the other hand, Christ is only in some degree acknowledged, and is called a Redeemer only in name, while in the meantime recourse is had to some other quarter for righteousness, sanctification and salvation, he is driven off from the foundation …”
                                                    
It is stated within the Canons of Dort, SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE
“Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby”: 

“Article 9.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation: that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father; that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing; and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.”

I will label this true doctrine of Christ “Effective Redemption”.

To contrast this true doctrine of Christ with a false doctrine of Christ that is taught in many churches, I quote from the same Second Head of Doctrine title “Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby” in the same Canons of Dort: 

“The true doctrine having been explained, the Synod rejects the errors of those:

“III. Who teach: That Christ by his satisfaction merited neither salvation itself for anyone, nor faith, whereby this satisfaction of Christ unto salvation is effectually appropriated; but that he merited for the Father only the authority or the perfect will to deal again with man, and to prescribe new conditions as he might desire, obedience to which, however, depended on the free will of man, so that it therefore might have come to pass that either none or all should fulfill these conditions. For these adjudge too contemptuously of the death of Christ, do in no wise acknowledge the most important fruit or benefit thereby gained, and bring again out of hell the Pelagian error.”

In conclusion, many false religions, false churches, and false teachers proclaim a “christ”, their own understanding of Christ, perhaps a potential Savior or Redeemer dependent on the free-will choice of man, perhaps a good prophet, perhaps a good teacher, perhaps a good example for us to follow, or perhaps just a good man.  Their false doctrine of Christ cannot be included here as the foundation of the Church.  The true doctrine of Christ must include what Christ actually did accomplish for the Church.  Most importantly, the true doctrine of Christ, this “foundation of the Church”, must include this “Effective Redemption”.

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