One cannot build a true Church without first laying the proper foundation.

The Apostle Paul and Peter were preaching the same gospel of Christ to two different sects of people the Jews and the Gentiles but, yet it was the same gospel of Christ, because they were both Apostles of Christ Jesus.

The gospel of Christ was to be preached originally to those of the circumcision (Jews) by Peter and the gospel of Christ was to be be preached to the uncircumcision (the Gentiles) by Paul. Both Jew and Gentile had to be baptized into one body. (The LORD Jesus Christ.)

Peter laid the foundational message of, “Repent, be baptized, every one of you, in the name of The LORD Jesus Christ for the remission of sins — then you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (The Foundation of Christ)

Paul was building on that same foundation, taking them on into the fullness of the new covenant. (The Fullness of Christ)

Even though Peter was being sifted by Satan back and forth at times from Old Law to New Covenant and he did deny Jesus 3 times, it was nothing Jesus did not already know would happen, because Jesus had told him ahead of time that Satan desired to have him to sift him as wheat.

“But, I have prayed for you that your faith fail not and when you are completely converted (to new covenant) you will strengthen the brethren and upon this rock foundation of, I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

Here we see Jesus giving his disciples The Great Commission, to go unto all the world and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, (The name being The LORD Jesus Christ).

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen,” Matthew 28:18-20.

Here we see Jesus telling Peter he was the rock, meaning the foundation He will build His Church upon.

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ,” Matthew 16:18-20.

Paul said no man can build upon any other doctrine than the same foundation which was already laid. (The Christ doctrine.)

Here we see exactly what the Apostles’s foundational doctrine was which was the rock/ foundation that Jesus was referring to that Peter would lay.

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as The LORD our God shall call.

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the APOSTLES DOCTRINE (NOT DOCTRINES) and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:36-42.

Here we see where Jesus died on the cross fulfilling the law of Moses tearing down the wall of petition that was between us that was separating the Jews and the Gentiles that he might bring both Jew and Gentile into one body of believers in Christ.

That Christ might fill all and all the mystery Paul speaks of Christ in you the hope of glory. (A habitation/ dwelling place.)

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands.”

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.”

“Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in The LORD: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:10-22.

Here we see Peter commanding them to be baptized by water in the name of The LORD Jesus after they had already received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. (Showing before or after both must be done.)

“Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of The LORD. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” Acts 10:47-48.

Here we see that Jesus is telling Nicodemus that to be born again you need both the water and the Spirit. (Meaning both.)

“Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (BOTH) John 3:4-5.

Here we see Jesus himself tarried with his disciples and he baptized them with water, also John was baptizing with water before he was put into prison.

“After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because THERE WAS MUCH WATER THERE: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison,” John 3:22-24.

Here we see the Apostle Paul receiving the Holy Ghost and being baptized before he started doing this with others in Acts 19:1-7 after his encounter on the Damascus road.

“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, The LORD, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized,” Acts 9:17-18.

Here we see Paul re-baptizing those who were already baptized by John’s baptism to being baptized in the name of The LORD Jesus and laying hands on them to receive the Holy Ghost.

“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.”
“And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. WHEN THEY HEARD THIS, they were baptized in the name of The LORD Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.” Acts 19:1-7.

Here we see Philip preaching Jesus to the eunuch and baptizing him in water.

“And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”
“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of The LORD caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” Acts 8:34-39.

Here we see John’s baptism unto repentance to prepare the way for Jesus.

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” Matthew 3:11.

Herein we see there is only one body not two, and one Lord and One Father and one faith and baptism.

“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is ONE BODY, and ONE SPIRIT, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, and ONE FATHER OF ALL , who is above all, and through all, and in you all,” Ephesians 4:3-6.

Here we see that the water/blood/new covenant, the fire baptism and The Holy Ghost/ Spirit baptism/ word all agree in one baptism and is the one gospel of Christ.vs 8

“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one,” 1 John 5:6-8.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise,” Galatians 3:28-29.

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Now herein comes the new covenant with Jesus Christ, THE LAW OF CHRIST JESUS (grace and truth/foundation) hath made you free of the LAW OF SIN AND DEATH/LAW OF MOSES by the LAW OF THE SPIRIT which is the ROYAL LAW OF LIBERTY, the LAW OF LOVE being established in our hearts by THE LAW OF FAITH of the living word revealed to us and in our hearts by the Holy Ghost that we sin not against God or man.

Loving God and our neighbor as ourselves not only frees us from the law of sin and death but, fulfills the entire law of Moses as Jesus Christ did. In order to continue in the faith of Jesus we must be a doer of the word that his righteousness would be worked within our hearts by the Holy Ghost.

“Thou shalt love The LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it , thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets,” Matthew 22:37-40.

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth,” Romans 10:4.

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith,” Philippians 3:9.

“To the end that he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our father, at the coming of The LORD Jesus Christ with all his saints,” 1 Thessalonians 3:13.

“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from which some have swerved and turned aside unto vain jangling: Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm,” 1 Timothy 5:7.

“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” Galatians 5:14

“If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.” James 2:8-14.

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:8-10.

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; BUT FAITH WHICH WORKETH BY LOVE. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” Galatians 5:4-7.

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
But whoso looketh into the PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY,(which is love) and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25.

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God,” Ephesians 3:17-19.

“I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness came by the law (Moses) then Christ is dead in vain,” Galatians 2:20-21.

 

~ Kimberly Fuller

---

Kimberly Fuller

 

 

Back to Top