The Chief Cornerstone

Shelby G. Floyd

May 14, 2006

The apostle Peter graphically describes the great spiritual house that God is building (1 Peter 2:4-8). Christ is pictured as a Living Stone in God’s spiritual building:

Christ is a Living Stone

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious...Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “ Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:4, 6).

The Church is the Building

The church of Christ is that spiritual building or house (I Timothy 3:15). Reference to the scripture that Peter quotes is found in Isaiah 28:16, Isaiah 8:14 and Psalms 118:22.

Christ is the Chief Corner Stone

In these readings Christ is like a stone being put into a building. He is the most important stone—the preeminent stone, on which all other stones are dependent. He is what gives the building stability and strength and permanence. Accordingly Christ is,

A living stone

A tested stone

A precious cornerstone

A sure foundation stone

Christ is the Sure Foundation Stone

Paul also as well as Peter used this imagery in writing to the church at Ephesus:

“having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord (Ephesians 2:20-21).

Jesus Christ is the only sure foundation of the church (1 Corinthians 3:11; Matthew 7:24-27). The church is built on the deity of Christ that Peter confessed and upon which Christ said he would build his church. (Matthew 16:13-19).

Christ is the Rejected Stone

Unbelievers have repudiated and rejected this stone.

“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:22-24).