SDA Sabbath School Lessons
Sabbath afternoon October 19, 1996


Christ is the Creator, Head, and Sustainer of His Church

He desires that His people reveal His character and the principles of His kingdom to the world. Christ founded the church upon Himself, the living Rock. He is the foundation stone of which Isaiah and David spoke. "Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation" (Isa. 28:16). "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone" (Ps. 118:22). His Word, illuminated to our minds by His Spirit, is the means by which He makes Himself known to us as our Saviour (John 14:21-23). Therefore, His Word is the foundation of the true church's beliefs. This places the authority of the church in the hands of the One who gave both the Word and His life for our redemption.

As head of the church, Christ equips His servants with gifts, enabling them to reveal His truth to the world in order that all who desire may become part of its fellowship. Thus the household of faith is built up in love to include every believing man, woman, and child.