Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Ephesians 2:20-22

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the foundation of the church according to Ephesians 2:20-22?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the foundation of the church is "the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone." He emphasizes that this foundation refers to two things: first, the apostles and prophets themselves as the first believers, and second (and more importantly) their teaching and doctrine. He states, "The foundation in the last analysis is the teaching of the apostles and prophets, their doctrine." This foundation includes core teachings about man's sinful nature, God's wrath upon sin, the deity of Christ, his substitutionary atonement through his blood, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define what an apostle is in the New Testament context?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones defines an apostle by three essential characteristics: 1. "An apostle was one who had to have seen the risen Lord" - they were witnesses to the resurrection because they had personally seen the risen Christ. 2. "An apostle was one who was specially called and designated and sent as a preacher of the gospel by the risen Lord himself" - they received direct commission from Christ. 3. "The apostles were given a very special authority, they were given power to work miracles and to do various other things" - they had special powers that attested to their authority.

He emphasizes that without these three qualifications, "no man is an apostle or in any sort of apostolic succession."

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones reject the concept of apostolic succession?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones rejects apostolic succession because: 1. The apostles are the foundation, and "you don't repeat a foundation. A foundation is once and forever." 2. By definition, apostles must have seen the risen Lord and been directly commissioned by Him - conditions that cannot be met today. 3. Apostles had special powers and infallibility that are not present in church leaders today.

He states: "There is no such thing as apostolic succession. By definition, it is something which is a sheer impossibility. You can have a succession of men who appoint one another in perpetuity. That isn't what I read in the scriptures."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the only basis for true Christian unity?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones insists that the only basis for true Christian unity is the apostolic message and doctrine. He states, "The only basis of unity today, as it was in the early church, is the apostolic message." He rejects the idea of unity based merely on calling oneself Christian or on vague sentiment. Instead, true unity must be founded on: 1. "Purity of doctrine" 2. "Purity of life"

He says, "It is faith alone and subscription to the truth that brings one into the building." Unity that is not based on truth is "false," "man-made," "unreal," and "spurious."

What is the role of Jesus Christ in the foundation according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Jesus Christ is "the chief cornerstone" of the foundation. He defines a cornerstone as "the primary foundation stone at the angle of the structure by which the architect fixes a standard for the bearings of the walls and cross walls throughout."

Christ's role as cornerstone means: 1. He "holds together all these other subsidiary foundation stones" 2. He "binds them together and binds all the walls together" 3. "Everything is supported by it, and everything is welded together by it"

He concludes: "There is no unity apart from Jesus Christ. It is our relationship to him, it is our dependence upon him. He is central, he is vital, he is all important."

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say that modern calls for church unity can be dangerous?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns against modern calls for church unity because they often prioritize unity over truth. He states that many approach unity saying, "nothing matters but unity," but this is dangerous because:

1. Unity must be built on truth: "You don't start with unity. Unity is something that results from something else."
2. False unity ignores doctrinal differences: "A unity which isn't based upon truth is false. It's man made. It's not God's plan. It's unreal. It's spurious."
3. True Christianity is "the most intolerant faith" in that it asserts "this, and this alone is right and is true."
4. Some calls for unity lead to "vague talk about Christianity" rather than clear doctrinal positions.

He criticizes approaches that dismiss doctrine by saying, "Oh, but you mustn't go and divide by arguing about doctrine that separates."