This traditional hymn, familiar to every denomination, gets to the core of our beliefs as Christians.
The Church’s One Foundation (UMH 546) was written in 1866 by Samuel Stone, the curate at Windsor near Windsor castle. He wrote twelve hymns – one for each of the beliefs in the Apostles’ Creed. This hymn was based on the belief in the holy catholic (universal) church – the ninth belief in the creed.
These hymns were written during a time of conflict over the basic truths of the Christian faith in the mid-1800’s. In 1867, Anglican bishops from around the world convened for a theological conference known as the first Lambeth Conference. This hymn, set to music by Charles Wesley’s grandson, Samuel Wesley, was the processional hymn for that conference.
Notice the possessive nature of the title. The church has one foundation — Jesus Christ, her Lord. There are two important passages from Paul that we should associate with this hymn.
In 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, Paul indicates that he (Paul) has laid the foundation of the church (in Corinth). The foundation he laid is his teaching of the person and work of Jesus (who is referred to as the foundation/building block/capstone of the church).
In 1 Timothy 3, Paul refers to “the church of the living God as a pillar and buttress of the truth”. So the church serves as the foundation to hold up the truth. Paul goes on to identify that truth as God revealed in human form as Christ. Paul then describes Christ as follows:
- Born in the flesh – a real man,
- Testified to by the Holy Spirit,
- Seen by angels,
- Proclaimed among the nations by the apostles,
- Believed on in the world (one-third of the world’s population),
- Taken up in glory through the crucifixion and resurrection.
So the church’s main task given to her by God is to hold up the truth of Jesus – the Gospel.
We live in a society where holding to any absolute truth is often labeled as “intolerant”. What is our own individual worldview and what does our local church profess?
For example, as individuals, how do we answer these fundamental questions?
- How did I get here (creation)?
- Why am I here (purpose)?
- Why is evil present in the world?
- How can evil be addressed?
- What happens when I die?
Where does our local church stand on basic truth versus inclusiveness of different beliefs? Do we feel the tension between growth strategies and upholding the truth of God’s Word? Is Jesus our one and only foundation individually and as a local congregation? May God grant us the grace to hold to His truth and love our neighbors as ourselves!
— H. Carter
Hymns for Him 