Ephesians 2:20 and preservation of the Scriptures

Ephesians 2:20 and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

I apply the meaning of Ephesians 2:20 to the preservation of Scripture, and so have others. The foundation of New Testament Christianity rests on the writings of the apostles and prophets who represent the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord who preserves the churches preserves this foundation of it (e.g., Matthew 16:18). We no longer have apostles and prophets, but their teachings are preserved in the Scriptures and are our sole rule of faith and practice.

“Learn here...that nothing is to be regarded as a fundamental part of the Christian system, or as binding on the conscience, which cannot be found in the ‘prophets and apostles;’ that is, as it means here, in the Holy Scriptures.” -- Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

“Since apostles and prophets were both groups with a teaching role, it seems clear that what constitutes the church’s foundation is neither their person nor their office but their instruction. In practical terms this means that the church is built on the New Testament Scriptures.” -- John R. W. Stott, The Message of Ephesians: God’s New Society, Downer’s Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1979, pp. 106-107

“When he says the foundation, he is talking about the revelation the apostles and the prophets were given which they gave to us in its written form. That is called the New Testament.” -- Ephesians 2:19-22 by Wayne Barber

Israel was succoured by the law, a written covenant. However, in their existence as a visible nation, they also depended on their being the progeny of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were ordered by a succession of the priests from Aaron, (and, later, also a succession of kings), and were planted in a geographical location given them by God. In contrast, the church is a spiritual creature of the word, built on the revelation of Jesus Christ and kept by it (Matthew 16:18). The local churches are visible, but as a kingdom, this nation (Matthew 21:43) does not have geographical borders (John 18:36), ancestral lines according to the flesh (Galatians 3:28-29), or hereditary offices (1 Peter 2:5-9). To lose the word is to lose the church. According to God’s promise and providence, both have been preserved. Bible succession is a necessary part of the Lord keeping his promise of Matthew 28:18-20, as well as for the church to fulfill the commission of Matthew 28:18-20, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”