Elder Linder

Part 1 of “The Living Foundation: Prophets in Christ’s Church”

This is the first in a series exploring how Christ established His Church on the foundation of prophets and apostles, what happened to that foundation during the Great Apostasy, and how it was restored in our day. Understanding this pattern helps us appreciate both the necessity of living prophets and the significance of their restoration in the latter days.

When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians about Christ’s Church, he used a powerful architectural metaphor that reveals an eternal truth: “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” (Ephesians 2:19-20).

This wasn’t just a poetic flourish—it was a declaration of how God designed His Church to function. Think about what a foundation does: it provides stability, ensures proper alignment, and connects every part of the building to the cornerstone. Without a proper foundation, even the most beautiful building will eventually fail.

Throughout history, God has consistently worked through prophets and apostles. Noah warned of the flood. Moses led Israel out of bondage. Isaiah foresaw the Messiah. This wasn’t just a coincidence or cultural practice—it was God’s established pattern. As He declared through Amos, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

When Jesus Christ established His Church, He followed this same divine pattern. He didn’t just teach inspiring sermons—He called and ordained apostles, giving them real authority to act in His name. “As my Father hath sent me,” He declared, “even so send I you” (John 20:21).

Why was this foundation of prophets and apostles so crucial? Paul explains that they were given “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith… That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:11-14).

This foundation served multiple vital purposes:

1. It provided continuing revelation to guide the Church
2. It maintained doctrinal purity and unity
3. It ensured proper administration of saving ordinances
4. It kept the Church connected to its divine cornerstone, Jesus Christ

Consider how this worked in practice. When the early Church faced the question of gentile conversion, the apostles didn’t just debate or take a vote—they received revelation from God (Acts 15). When questions arose about spiritual gifts, Paul provided inspired guidance (1 Corinthians 12-14). The foundation was active, living, and essential to the Church’s function.

This pattern reveals something beautiful about God’s nature: He wants to communicate with His children. He doesn’t want us to be “strangers and foreigners” but “fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” Prophets and apostles make this relationship possible, serving as authorized channels for divine direction and doctrine.

As we’ll explore in our next post, this foundation was eventually rejected—something both Old and New Testament prophets foresaw. But understanding this original pattern is crucial because it shows us what to look for in Christ’s true Church: not just teachings about past prophets, but living prophets and apostles who continue to receive revelation for our day.

I testify that God’s pattern hasn’t changed. Just as a building needs its foundation as long as it stands, Christ’s Church needs living prophets and apostles to fulfill its divine purpose. When we understand this truth, we can better appreciate both what was lost in the apostasy and what needed to be restored in our day.