Why Do We Call The First Principles “Foundation Stones”?
The term “foundation stones” was coined to help us emphasize the distinctness of each truth to be believed and experienced. Christ Himself is the only foundation which can be laid, but we do this in practical experience through specific encounters with Him in obedient faith.
We are built upon the foundation which is Christ by the Holy Spirit and through the ministry of those who labor with God.
“For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 3:9-11).
The foundational doctrines were brought to us through the apostles and prophets who received the inspired Scriptures.
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20).
As Christ becomes our foundation through experience, we are made able to worship and find our place in His Church.
“To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient . . .” (I Pet. 2:4-8).
The worldly-wise masons disallowed, set aside as rejected, the cornerstone because it was a different shape from all other stones. It did not seem to fit into any of the usual places. This is a picture of Israel rejecting her own Messiah because He did not fit their expectations. It is also a portrayal of modern theology which has no place for a living Lord who will define His own truth in terms of life-transforming experience. The first principles or “foundation stones” will not fit our neat little traditions. If we begin building with them, we must be prepared to start all over from the beginning. For this reason, the very first one is called “repentance from dead works”-the repudiation of tradition and unworkable theories.