The Church's One Foundation
Who is the true foundation of the church? Despite variations of traditions between churches, there is One foundation of our faith
1 The Church's one foundation
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She[1] is His new creation
By water and the Word[2]:
From heav'n He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.[3]
[1] the Church
[2] Ephesians 5: “Christ loved the church that He gave Himself up for her, and having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.” The Bible is a powerful instrument God uses to cleanse and sanctify people, as they respond in faith and to the Holy Spirit.
[3] imagine something of which the price is not expressible in monetary terms; you have to die for it, which you do out of love, so that we can enjoy that communion for eternity. That kind of love is incomprehensible.
2 Elect from every nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,[4]
Her charter of salvation:
One Lord, one faith, one birth;[5]
One holy name she blesses,[6]
Partakes one holy food;[7]
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.[8]
[4] despite geographical divides, Christians enjoy fellowship with other believers through Christ and the church.
[5] the blueprint of salvation and being part of the church: believing in Christ, there’s only one saving faith—there is no other name by which we can be saved, and no one comes to the Father except through Jesus.
[6] refers to Jesus
[7] refers to the Lord’s table
[8] the hope it refers to is Christ’s return; and until that point, how we’re endowed and equipped with everything we need.
3 'Mid toil and tribulation[9]
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore;[10]
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.[11]
[9] the church’s hard work in a fallen world hostile to Christians
[10] the ultimate peace that Christ’s return will facilitate—no more conflict, tears, or war
[11] the hope that victory provides is part of what sustains Christians. It’s one of the pieces of the armor of God.
4 Yet she on earth has union
With God, the Three in One,
And mystic, sweet communion
With those whose rest is won;[12]
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly[13],
On high may dwell with Thee.[14]
[12] meditate: if you believe in Christ, and have e.g. family members who were believers and have passed, you enjoy communion with them through Christ.
[13] meek and lowly = Christlike humility, willingly submitted to God. See the beatitudes.
[14] this ending is a beautiful prayer. We should emulate those who have died and enjoy blessed rest with Christ. For example, there is no pride in Heaven. This takes a lot of grace, to ourselves, and to others. All with the goal of: so that we may “dwell with Thee.”
This hymn helps focus on who, and what, is the true foundation of the church, how it’ll persevere, how we’re united in Christ, the joy of being the bride of Christ, and the prayer of asking for grace to become like the saints who have gone before us.
Author: Samuel J. Stone
Composer: Samuel S. Wesley
Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
Tune name: AURELIA