In September of 1793, President George Washington laid the corner-stone to the United State Capitol Building, the home of the legislative branch of American government. The building took almost a century to build due to architects coming and going, the British setting fire to it, and it being called into use during the American Civil War. The Capitol today has a cast-iron dome, holds a collection of American art, and is part of the Capitol Complex, which includes six Congressional Office buildings and also three Library of Congress buildings, all developed in the 19th and 20th centuries. Normally, cornerstones are the first stones laid for a structure, with all other stones laid in reference to them.
“Words from Above” in the Bible speak about cornerstones in two very important ways. Psalm 118 was the final prayer during the celebration of the Passover feast, which celebrated the people of Israel being freed from Egyptian slavery. Israel was considered the stone that civilization’s builders had rejected, but God made them the cornerstone of His plan for the world’s salvation.
The New Testament likewise speaks of the Church, called the Body of Christ, as being no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, as being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, according to Ephesians 2:19, 20. Acts 4:11, 12 refers to Jesus as the stone which the builders rejected, who has become the corner stone, and that salvation is found in no one else. Although Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was called Israel’s King, He was rejected by the Jewish authorities, who demanded His crucifixion. In the end, he became the foundation for a new temple in which His Holy Spirit lives, namely the lives of His followers.
The apostle Peter refers to Jesus as a living stone and His followers as living stones which are part of a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Peter also refers to God laying in Zion (the site of the Temple) a chief corner stone, as being elect and precious, and that those who believed in Him should not be confounded. He goes on to say that as followers of God, we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a special people, that we should show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light, who are now called the people of God, and who in times past had not obtained mercy, but have now obtained His mercy.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.