As you may remember, in Acts Chapter Four, after the healing of the lame man by Peter and John, a great crowd gathered. Peter, bold in the spirit, preached with such power that about five thousand believed. The next morning Peter and John were hauled before the Sanhedrin. Filled with holy spirit, Peter spoke words that shook those religious leaders to their core:
“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11–12)
This was the same Peter who once trembled with fear, denying his Lord three times as Jesus was led away to be condemned and crucified. But not this day. Looking straight into the eyes of the very men who had orchestrated Christ’s death, Peter declared without hesitation. “The One you cast aside, the One you crucified, God has raised up as the cornerstone. There is no other way, no other name, no other salvation but through Jesus of Nazareth.”
God had already chosen that very stone to be the cornerstone of His eternal plan. It was hidden for generations. The very one they despised would become the most essential piece—the foundation upon which all salvation rests.
A Foundation of Faith
Every builder knows that without a strong and secure foundation, no structure will stand for long. The same is true in the spiritual realm. For Christians, that foundation is not an idea, tradition, or philosophy—it is in, Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone.
This tapestry, woven through the Old and New Testaments, reveals Christ as the foundation upon which our faith rests and the measuring line by which our lives are aligned. To recognize Jesus as the cornerstone is to understand our true identity, our hope in glory, and our unity in him.
Jesus Christ is the only means by which we may have eternal life with our brother, the entire family and our heavenly father.
The Cornerstone in Ancient Construction
In the ancient world, the cornerstone held tremendous importance:
First Stone Laid – The cornerstone was placed first, and every other stone was set in reference to it.
Alignment and Direction – Its angles determined the orientation of the walls and the strength of the building.
Weight and Stability – The cornerstone bore the load of the structure, ensuring it remained firm.
If the cornerstone was flawed, misplaced, or weak, the building would not last. But if it was true and strong, the structure would endure for generations. God promised to provide a cornerstone—chosen, tested, and enduring. Though many would reject him, The Messiah would remain the sure foundation for all who believe.
The Hebrew Scriptures foreshadowed this powerful truth:
Isaiah 28:16 – “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily.”
Psalm 118:22 – “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
Jesus Christ, the Fulfillment
Jesus is not just part of the foundation—he is the foundation. He sets the direction, secures the building, and ensures that the people of God stand firm through time and eternity.
The New Testament declares Jesus as the fulfillment of these prophecies:
Ephesians 2:20 – The Church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.”
1 Peter 2:6-7 – Peter applies Isaiah’s words directly to Christ: those who believe will never be put to shame, while those who reject him stumble.
Rejection and Vindication
The cornerstone imagery carries a sobering truth: Jesus was rejected and despised by the very people he came to save.
He was despised by the religious leaders.
He was crucified as a criminal.
He was dismissed as insignificant.
Yet, in God’s plan, the stone rejected by men became the most essential of all. What the world discards, God exalts.
In Simple Terms
The “cornerstone” is a metaphor and symbol. It communicates:
Stability → Jesus holds the whole structure (the church & salvation) together.
Alignment → faith and doctrine must align with him.
Necessity → without him, the whole building collapses.
The Cornerstone and the Believer
If Christ is the cornerstone, what does that mean to us personally?
Identity – We are part of God’s spiritual house, a living stone set upon Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
Security – Our faith rests not on your feelings or circumstances, but on Jesus, the unshakable rock. Our salvation.
Alignment – Our life is measured against his truth. He is the plumb line for our choices, values, and direction.
Unity – All believers, regardless of background or culture, are joined together on the same foundation.
Christ the Head of the Body
Colossians 1:18: “He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”
Ephesians 1:22–23: “And He put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body.”
1 Corinthians 12:27: “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
Practical Application: Building on the Rock
Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:24-27 remind us that a life built on the rock will withstand the storms. The storms may come—loss, persecution, temptation, or doubt—but the house will not fall if its foundation is secure in Christ.
The cornerstone image calls us to examine what we are truly building upon. The world offers shifting sands—money, success, approval, and human wisdom. But only Christ provides a sure and lasting foundation.
To reject him is to stumble. To believe in him is to stand firm. To build on him is to endure until his return and our union in the heavenlies with our Creator.
What Does That Mean For Us?
Together, these images remind us that every part of our lives and faith must be aligned with him. It means we are not loose stones scattered across the ground. In Christ, we are placed, fitted, joined together into a dwelling place for God.
He is the Living Stone. And because he lives, we live also.
Christ is either:
The cornerstone you build your life upon, or
The stumbling stone you trip over in unbelief.
There is no middle ground. To the believer, he is precious beyond words. To the unbeliever, he is offensive—because he demands surrender. Christ is the Cornerstone — the sure foundation. He is the head of the body — the life and authority of the Church. And he is also the reigning King, subduing every enemy until the last enemy, death itself, is destroyed.
“After that the end will come, and he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his authority. (Of course, when it says, “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.) Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere. (1 Cor. 15:24-28, NLT)
Jesus Christ, our Chief Cornerstone, is the foundation of faith, the measure of truth. So, let us build our lives upon him.
Gratitude,
Anthony Barbera
August 25, 2025
