Making Wise the Simple: Behavior, Attitudes and Principles of the Body of Christ

The Church is analogous to a building, which was built on the foundation of the doctrinal teachings of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone (Lord and Savior). All believers born into the Church must be erected (fitly framed together) upon that foundation (the gospel) and "groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord" (Eph. 2:20-21). We are a holy temple; our bodies house the Holy Spirit, and wherever we go we stand as a representative of Jesus Christ. The doctrinal foundation also unites all believers in faith and knowledge and makes them reject false teachings and doctrines. The Apostle Peter describes the Church as a "spiritual house" which is built up of believers who are "lively stones" The Church is thus "one body" built on "one foundation" through "one baptism" and has "one hope" "one Lord" and "one Savior" As members of this one body, we must protect the foundation (the gospel of Jesus Christ) from being distorted or altered by the devil's deceiving effort (lies, doubts, fears, and spiritual wickedness). Jesus' revelation of the Church's inception cannot be replaced or made void by anyone claiming to have some other revelation or prophecy. Any revelation or prophecy one may receive pertaining to the Church must confirm and be in agreement with the original doctrine. "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 fullness of God" (Eph. 3:17-19).