The Church's One Foundation

Paul asserted the truth in this chapter that God's dealings with His church all rest on the platform of His mighty grace. The emphasis of the chapter is that the only answer to the darkness of depravity is the light and glory of the Gospel message that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. The idea that anyone can be saved by the works of the flesh is specifically excluded in this chapter. Thus, the true church does not take its direction from any sinner, whatever his station or rank, and it opposes all efforts to suggest that sinners can add anything to the work of Christ. Thus, those who belong to Christ's church do not wait in expectation of the announcement of the next pope's identity. They will give his pronouncements the same scant attention that they gave to the pope who has gone to his own place. The members of Christ's church glory in the message of grace and faith.