(A Study of the Apostolic Era and the Mission of the Church) The Church Is Built on Jesus Christ and the Word of God You cannot separate the church from the Word of God, and you cannot separate the Word of God from Jesus Christ. The foundation of the church is not tradition, culture, or denomination—it is Christ Himself. “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:1