Written ~ 11-21-2023
Acts 4:7-12
7 “They brought in the two disciples (Peter and John) and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, 9 are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,
‘The stone that you builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.’
12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Salvation is found in no one else. This is the message of the entire Bible. The Apostles were diligent in doing the work of the Lord no matter what kind of opposition they came up against.
Here we have Peter and John, they have been arrested for teaching the people of Jerusalem about Jesus and performing miraculous signs. The next morning they were brought before “the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law.” (Acts 4:5) The main topic the high priest wanted to discuss was “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?” (Acts 4:7) This was in reference to the man who was healed from being crippled.
Peter spoke to the council, he spoke with boldness, the Holy Spirit filled his words and he spoke with power. He was not intimidated by the council, nor did he flinch when they questioned his miraculous deeds. He stood and proclaimed is it “…by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene…” that we do the things we do. He proceeded to quote Scripture, the religious leaders and the high council would have been quite familiar with his words as he said, “The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” In the Old Testament the Lord is described as the “rock” in many instances, it is this rock (or stone) that the religious leaders chose to ignore and eventually sentenced to death on a cross. But even though the Jewish leaders and teachers of religious law completely missed who Jesus Christ was, that did not affect who Jesus was and is today. They tried to kill Jesus on more than one occasion and thought they had succeeded when they saw Him hanging on the cross. But we know the outcome don’t we? When Christ was raised from that grave, fully alive and as glorious and powerful as ever, He is the cornerstone, the foundation of the temple of God and everything holy. Look at what it says in Ephesians 2:20-21,
20 Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.
I found this explanation of the importance a cornerstone has, and when you relate this explanation to Christ, it’s pretty awesome:
- A cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.
So, when we think of our lives as believers in Christ Jesus, His position (at the right hand of God) is the determining factor for the faith, trust and acceptance we have in Jesus the Son of God. And it is why His message, the Good News message is just as powerful today as it was in the days of the Apostles, like Peter, John and Paul. Christ’s placement as the cornerstone is where we start and we build our entire lives from that point. That cornerstone isn’t going anywhere, it is unmovable, uncrushable, it is steadfast. So think of a structure, visualize a stone structure, the cornerstone has been placed, Jesus Christ the Lord, then more stones are added, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, the Apostles and disciples of the New Testament, Christians from each century all the way to you and to me! We are apart of this huge structure, built on the promises of God and our salvation comes only through that one stone. The cornerstone.
12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Think about this for a moment…
What if Peter, John or Paul were alive today, preaching with such boldness, doing the miracles we read about in Scriptures, do you think they would come up against as much opposition today as they did from the religious leaders in their time? A lot of people only followed Jesus because of the miracles He did, do you think it would be the same today?
Often I read the Bible and think to myself, “How in the world did they miss it? How did they miss who Jesus was?”
But look at the world today. There are a sea of faces out in the world, each seeking something. But are they seeking the cornerstone? Are they seeking the One who can bring them Salvation? The members of the high council and the religious leaders missed it. Let’s pray for the eyes of the non-believing person to be open, for their ears to hear the message of Jesus Christ and believe. Let’s continue to pray for leaders like Peter, John and Paul to be lifted up and speak with boldness and power through the Holy Spirit. Let’s pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit where we hear of more miraculous signs and wonders around this globe. Let’s continue, even with opposition, to proclaim the fact and the promise from God that Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.
Praising the Father today for the Cornerstone in my life! Thank You Father for giving me Your Son to build an unshakable foundation for my life to be built upon. Thank You for Salvation. Thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ.
~AMEN~
- Has the message of Jesus Christ reached your ears? Is the cornerstone missing from your life? Do you seek everything but Christ to fill your heart? Why not just stop pursuing empty things of this world and place your trust in the cornerstone. Salvation is near, it is here right now… place your faith in the only One who can save and bring everlasting life… Pray this prayer…
Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
- If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you! You are now another stone placed in the structure situated on the cornerstone.
- It is very important to me that those who might be reading these journal pages of mine and don’t yet know the Lord Jesus Christ, that you make that decision. Today. Your heart and mind may not understand everything you have been reading, but if you open your heart to the truth of who Jesus is, you will be saved from sin and death. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you will be amazed at how quickly after giving your heart to the Lord your eyes and ears will be opened to the truth.