Biblical Foundation of the Church

Preliminary

Biblical Foundation of the Church

For Christians, the foundation of the church can be traced as early as the Old Testament time, and vindicated in the person of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. In this chapter, it is then imperative to take a brief survey of the humble beginning of Israel as a people, and their religious experiences that ushered the fullfillment of Gods promise of salvation in the person of Jesus Christ, and a discussion on the theological debate whether or not Jesus intended to found a church.

1. Covenant between Yahweh and Abraham

The accounts of the Torah speak about the covenant between God and Abraham. Etymologically, the word covenant is derived from the Hebrew word, berit, which refers to agreement, or a legal contract between kins. When such concept is applied to Yahweh and Abraham, it is understood to be more than a legal contract or agreement because it is looked upon as a basic relationship between these two covenant partners. It is a sacred, irrevocable pact initiated by Yahweh based on the following reciprocal conditions, namely:

That Yahweh shall give Abraham the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7, 15: 7,18, 17:8), the promise of countless descendants (Genesis 15: 5, 17:2,4), and the assurance of Yahwehs protection (Genesis 12: 2-3, 15: 13-14, 17: 7, the liberation of the Hebrews as narrated in the book of Exodus); and That Abraham and his descendants shall worship, and keep Yahweh as their only God( Genesis 17: 8, Exodus 20: 2-6).

What motivated Yahweh to form the covenant? Yahweh, out of his gratuitous, overflowing love, reached out to Abraham, and to all of Israel, and even intended for the people a share of his divine life in pradise from the very start of his creation. Catholic tradition calls it grace- Gods self-offering of Himself to man, Gods gift of himself to man.

2. Covenant Renewed and Laws Given

But the promise were put to the test. In the Book of Exodus, the new pharaoh turned the Israelites into slaves and treated them with cruelty and oppression. Yet Yahweh heard the cry of his people, and remained true to his word. He raised up a liberator in the person of Moses to free his oppressed people from slavery and led them to a land he promised to Abraham and his descendants, a land flowing with milk and honey- Canaan. What followed in that story was Yahwehs unanimous victory over pharaoh to concede his defeat and helplessness before the mighty and powerful God of Moses. Thus, the defeated pharaoh eventually issued a royal decree for the freedom of the Hebrews, and their return to Canaan.

Exodus chapter 20 narrates the renewal of the covenant. Such covenant was unique because the God of Abraham directly entered into an agreement with Israel, and elected her as his chosen people. In return, Israel pledged its worship and loyalty to Yahweh alone. Yahweh then gave them the Ten Commandments or the Decalogue that would govern and guide their way of life and the conduct of their faith as individuals and as a people. Obviously, Israel has grown more defined in its identity and more organized and systematic in living out its duties towards God as indicated by its laws and precepts. Therefore, we can now say that Israel as Gods chosen people evolved into an organized worshipping assembly of Yahweh of Qahal Yahweh, guided by fundamental laws, beliefs, and rituals.