“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1Tim 3:15
CynicalBear wrote in post #135,
1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
But Ephesians 2:20 mentions "the foundation of the apostles and prophets." Which one of these three verses is right?
OK, I don't actually view these verses as contradictory. Consider what the "foundation" in 1 Corinthians 3:11 underlies:
[9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
[10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
[11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Here's more of the context of what I quoted from Ephesians 2:
[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
[20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
[21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
[22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
I just made a realization: I was familiar with all three "foundation" verses but had never looked at them together. So if the "church of the living God," this "house of God," is "the foundation of the truth," and we can also speak of the "foundation of the apostles and prophets," is this the case because the church is "the body of Christ"?
[Colossians 1:18a] And he is the head of the body, the church.
[1 Corinthians 12:27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
[28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
(I am not here promoting any particular interpretation of what "the church" may be in terms of visible entities on earth.)