It is the Word of God alone that is the ultimate authority for both our Faith (what we believe) and our practice (how we are to live) in this world. While this is true, there are several problems we must watch for in this all-important foundation of the church.

A few years ago, a friend was moving into Lancaster to take a call in another ARP church. He had found a house, but after the inspection, it was found to have a bad foundation. I told him he needed to look for another house because if the foundation is bad, the house will have nothing but problems going forward. This same principle applies to churches and the individual lives of Christians. If they do not have a solid foundation on the Word of God, there will be problems going forward at every level. This will never end until they return to the solid foundation of the Word of God.

What does it mean to have the Word of God as the foundation? Scripture teaches us that the Word of God is the one true rule for faith and practice. We see this taught in 2 Timothy 3:16–17,

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (ESV)

The Westminster Shorter Catechism teaches us in Questions 2 & 3 the following, 

Q. 2  What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him? 

A. The word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

Q. 3 What do the scriptures principally teach? 

A. The scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.

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