#1426. Built on the foundation of apostles and prophets (8/1/26)
- Matt Beaney
- Jan 8
- 4 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.
In our last devotional, we reflected on our access to the Father through Christ and the Spirit. Today, Paul turns to the picture of a building and we ask:
How does being built on the right foundation make us true citizens and members of God’s household?
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
‘Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.’ (Ephesians 2:19-20)
1. No longer foreigners and strangers
Paul reminds the Gentile believers who they once were - outsiders, cut off from God’s people and His promises. But now, through Christ, they have a new identity:
From foreigners to fellow citizens
From strangers to family - members of God’s household
This is the gospel: in Christ, every dividing wall has been torn down, and all who believe share the same belonging.
2. Built on the foundation of ‘the apostle and prophets’
Paul then shifts to the metaphor of a building. Unity and peace are not free-floating ideas - they rest on a solid foundation:
i. The apostles’ teaching – The apostles were entrusted with declaring and recording the gospel (as in this very letter). The New Testament is their Spirit-inspired witness, and it remains the church’s unshakable foundation.
ii. The prophets’ ministry – This could refer to the Old Testament prophets who pointed forward to Christ, or to New Testament prophets active in the early church. Either way, their Spirit-given role was to point God’s people to Jesus and His cross.
iii. Christ the cornerstone – In ancient buildings, the cornerstone was the stone from which the building had it’s entire orientation. Paul makes it clear: the apostles and prophets are the foundation stones, but Christ Himself is the chief cornerstone. Without Him, the whole building collapses. This is a description of the heart of the teaching of the apostles and prophets; Jesus was at the heart of their message and is at the heart of our foundation.
Response
Being built on the right foundation - on Christ through the witness of the apostles and prophets - leads to all the blessings we enjoy as Christians: peace, unity, identity, and belonging.
Are you building your life on the apostles’ teaching (the Scriptures), with Jesus at the centre of how you read them?
Do you value prophetic ministry today, and test it to ensure it always points back to Jesus and His cross?
Are you living as a citizen of heaven and as a member of God’s household, enjoying the peace and privilege of belonging to His family?
Paul sums it up perfectly:
‘By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 3:10-11)
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
What about the Christmas period and New Year has inspired you in your faith?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
This week, we resume our Ephesians series: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.
Our message on Sunday from Ephesians 2:11-22, was entitled: The Foundation for a New Year, The Foundation of Life.
Please ensure that everyone knows about, and knows how to access our daily devotions on the church website or other platforms.
Please read Ephesians 2:11-22 and discuss:
Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?
As you go into the New Year, what are the many ways that we can build our lives and church on the 'Cornerstone', and how, personally, do you intend to do this in the New Year?
How does Jesus unite and bring peace to different kinds of people and how will this be seen in our community life?
v. 19-21 - What is God building us into and how will this affect our church, particularly, our devotion to meeting and praying together?
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
What from these verses inspires or informs you in mission?
Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?
Let’s pray together:
Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.
Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.
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