This confession-foundation had its origin in a "revelation to Peter not from man, but from the Father in heaven" (Matt. 16:17). In the same place, to the same people that Paul had discussed the one foundation of the kingdom-church as being Jesus Christ, he then discusses the origin of that kingdom to end that they not be divided.

Paul reminded them: "Don't you I know that you yourselves are God's temple (corporate body-kingdom) and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple" (1 Cor. 3:16,17). From such a precious origin, there is a certain behavior that must follow in the church. From Paul's inspired writing (which comes from God) "you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God the pillar and foundation of the truth." (I Tim. 3:15).

Since the kingdom-church has only one foundation, it must also have only one founder. Since it was Jesus who was speaking to the disciples, then Jesus Christ was both the "I" and the "My" when he said: "Upon this rock I will build My church'' (vs. 18). The greatness of the founder is later expressed by the Apostle John to include all kingdom members: "To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a king dom and priests to serve his God and Father" (Rev. 1:5,6).

If the kingdom-church has a founder who laid the foundation, it also has a builder who will build it. If the kingdom-church will be built, then it will be established at a time selected and designated by the Builder. That time was so selected as the day of Pentecost in the city of Jerusalem (Mk. 9: 1; Lk. 24:46-49; Acts 1: 5-8; Acts 2:14). On that day - the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the eleven and addressed the multitude of people from many nations. When he reached the point in his sermon where he charged them (the Jews) "this man was handed over to you by God's purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross" (Acts 2:23), "they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit ... Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day ... And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:37,38,41,47).

Jesus Christ was the Founder,,, the Foundation, the Builder and the Head and Owner of the kingdom-church (vs. 18). The Apostle Paul confirmed the latter of these facts in his farewell speech to the Ephesian elders: "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock (kingdom-church) of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God which he bought with is own blood" (Acts 20:28). Later, when speaking to the church at Colossae on the supremacy of Christ, Paul said: "He is before all things and in all things hold together. And he is the Head of the body , the church" (Col. 1: 18). Jesus did not appoint himself to this position and power, but "God placed all things under his feet and appointed hi m to be Head over everything for the church, which is the body, the fulness of him who fills everything in every way" (Eph. 1:22,23).

-- Gene A. Ellmore

The Very Best School Is ............

• Where all the teachers believe in God
• Where there are no gangs or knives or guns
• Where love for others is taught
• Where honesty and truthfulness are encouraged
• Where sin is condemned, not condoned
• Where family values are stressed
• Where children are taught to honor parents and love their siblings
• Where the Bible is held up as the Word of God and attention is given to obeying it
• Where marriage is taught as being sacred and sex as being reserved for marriage
• Where moral purity is treasured, not scorned
• Where godliness is taught to be profitable for all things
• Where young people are encouraged to set a Christian example in their words and actions

This school is Sunday Bible School! It's the wisest thing you can do for your child!