Christ the Cornerstone

In biblical terminology, Jesus Christ is called the cornerstone, symbolizing his foundational role in the Church (Ephesians 2:19-20; Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:6-7). The cornerstone metaphor is drawn from ancient architectural practices, where the cornerstone is the first and most crucial stone laid in a building’s foundation, ensuring its stability and alignment. This metaphor highlights Jesus as the central, and essential element upon which Christians’ salvation, faith, and lives are built. Just as a building’s stability depends on its cornerstone, believers’ spiritual stability and salvation are grounded in their faith in Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, in Ephesians 2:19-20, the apostle Paul described believers as being “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone,” highlighting the fundamental importance of the apostles and prophets in establishing the Church’s doctrinal framework. He emphasizes that the Church’s proper foundation lies in the teachings of the apostles and prophets (foundational stones), which ultimately derive from Jesus Christ himself. The apostles and prophets served as conduits for God’s revelation, laying the groundwork for the Church’s spiritual and doctrinal foundation.

In 1 Peter 2:4-5, “To whom coming, as unto a living stone…ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house”. By their connection to Jesus, the source of life, spiritual life is imparted to believers, so they become living, lively stones that grow into God’s spiritual house—the Church. Peter speaks to the ongoing role of Christ in building his Church. Just as the apostles and prophets played a crucial role in establishing the Church’s early foundations, Christ continues to build his Church today, consisting of and in partnership with individuals and fellow laborers who embrace him as Lord and Savior.

The Church’s builder is Jesus Christ, “in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21-22).