How Christ Relates to the Church: The Chief Cornerstone

CHURCH ARTICLE | Osamagbe Lesley Egharevba | Lagos, Nigeria

“Now, therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fittted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22, NKJV)

As seen in our text above, the Bible describes Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone of His Church. This is the church that He promised to build (Matthew 16:18), the church that He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28), the church that He is the head of (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18), and the church that He is the Chief Shephard (I Peter 5:4). This is not some denominational church with a human founder, head or creed, whose origin cannot be traced to the Bible. The Bible reveals that there is only one body (Ephesians 4:4) and this body is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). Paul says that all faithful Christians are baptized into this one body by one Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13). This is not speaking of a denomination for division is condemned in the Bible (I Corinthians 1:10), and there was no record of a denominational church as at the time Paul wrote the letter. So, when we speak of Christ as the Chief Cornerstone of His church, we are simply speaking of the church of Christ (Romans 16:16) that began on the first Pentecost following Christ’s resurrection and ascension (Acts 2:1, 47). Thus, this writing aims to examine how our Lord Jesus Christ relates to the church, with particular emphasis on His role as the Chief Cornerstone.

Defining the Cornerstone

One very good way to begin a discussion of this nature is to first define the concept or keywords used in the topic of discussion. In this case, it is important to understand what we mean by cornerstone before talking about Christ as the Cornerstone of the church. The English dictionary defines a cornerstone as a stone that forms the base of a corner of a building, joining two walls. Basically, the cornerstone is the first and most important rock in a building. It is traditionally the first stone laid for a structure, with all other stones laid in reference. It occupies a conspicuous and honourable place in a building. The same dictionary also defines a cornerstone as an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based. Since a building mainly rests on the cornerstone, the cornerstone must be stable, fit, and aligned perfectly. Otherwise, if the cornerstone is unstable, then the whole building is insecure. Without the cornerstone, a building would not be sustained for a moment.

More than once in the Bible, Jesus is described as the Chief Cornerstone. In I Peter 2:6, Peter referred to Isaiah 28:16 concerning Christ as the Chief Cornerstone: “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.” In Acts 4:11, Peter said that Christ is “the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.” And in our text (Ephesians 2:20), He is described as the chief cornerstone upon which the church is built.

Jesus’ Role as the Chief Cornerstone

Having defined a cornerstone, let us now look at how Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone of His church. In the first place, we see that a cornerstone sets the foundation and direction of a building. Similarly, Christ sets the direction for the church as He alone has all authority, and He is the only lawgiver (Matthew 28:18; James 4:12). Ephesians 1:22 teaches that Christ is the head over all things to the church. Once the cornerstone is set, it becomes the basis for determining every measurement in the remaining construction; everything is aligned with it. As the Chief Cornerstone of the church, Jesus Christ is our standard of measurement and alignment. We are to look unto Him, who is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). The Lord Jesus is the supreme monarch of the church. No man on earth has any authority to make any “church laws,” innovate any acts of worship, or change the doctrine (II John 9). The Lord can never be “voted out of office” or lose His position of authority for He never changes and never dies. Apart from being head of the church, our Lord is also its Saviour (Ephesians 5:23), its merciful and faithful High Priest (Hebrews 2:17), its blessed and only Potentate and mighty King (I Timothy 6:15), its foundation (I Corinthians 3:11), and its Chief Corner Stone (Ephesians 2:20).

Another important feature of a cornerstone is that it joins structure together. Similarly, Jesus Christ as the Chief Cornerstone of the church brought together the Jews and the Gentiles into one body. I Corinthians 12:13 reads: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” Christ, as the chief cornerstone of the body, has united both the Jews and the Gentiles and has broken down the middle wall of partition that existed between them, so that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross (Ephesians 2:14-15).  In the glorious church of our Lord Jesus Christ, people from all walks of life, cultures, colours, and classes have heard of the accounts of the cross of Christ. They have believed His great victory over the grave and rejoiced in His exaltation to the right hand of His Father. In loving obedience, they have changed their lives to be reconciled through the cross to God in the one body, the church (Ephesians 2:16).

Furthermore, the cornerstone in a physical building ensures proper alignment and stabilizes the whole structure. In like manner, Christ as the chief cornerstone of the church ensures an aligned life and provides stability for us. We are to be imitators of Christ (I Corinthians 11:1) and we must let our lights shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify God in heaven (Matthew 5:16). When we do this, our life will be in alignment with the will of God. When we abide by the doctrine of Christ, we have both the Father and the Son (II John 9).

A building mainly rests on the cornerstone and the cornerstone provides support to it. Similarly, the church rests upon Jesus Christ and depends on Him in all things. We are to cast our cares upon the Lord for He cares for us (I Peter 5:7). We must not think of men beyond what is written (I Corinthians 4:6).

Conclusion

The church of Christ is a glorious church – “Christ…loved the church, and gave himself for it…That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25, 27). This is a description of the Lord’s church. God describes it as a “glorious church” because He is its Divine Architect. It is ruled by the glorified Christ who is with God in Heaven. Though Jesus Christ was the stone which the builders rejected—yet He is the Chief Cornerstone of God’s entire plan of redemption. In Him alone can we find salvation (Acts 4:12). He is the Way to the Father and no one can get to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone supports the building by His strength, and unites the several parts of it including the Jews and Gentiles. Jesus Christ is also the Saviour of the church. It is therefore only those who are in this glorious church that can hope for salvation.

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April 2024 | GROW magazine