You are a building that is built on the apostles and prophets. They are the foundation. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in the building (Ephesians 2:20 NIRV).
In another version, the Scripture states that Jesus is the cornerstone. We derive much greater appreciation for the imagery when we know that the cornerstone was the most critical point of the entire architectural plan. Wikapedia describes it this way:
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.
So, the Apostle Paul is stating that we are a building whose foundation is set upon the apostles and prophets, with Jesus being the reference stone, which determines our position. As a believer, I don’t have to wonder what I believe. The story is literally set in stone. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified for the sins of the world, buried and rose on the third day. The Prophets declared it before the fact and the Apostles declared it after the fact. The message is so simple that it can easily be missed. It takes the faith of a child to believe the simple, yet profound story of the Gospel. It takes the faith of a mature saint not to mix any unnecessary details into the message.
It is the inclination of man to make things more complicated than they need be. It is the inerrancy of Scripture that keeps us clarified and positioned correctly. Jesus is our cornerstone, and as we look to His life as an example for our own, we will see that He embodied the perfect balance of grace and truth, without any complication or tension. He never compromised the truth, but He always built a bridge of grace between the truth and those bound by lies.
I need to remember that the Gospel is not complicated and make sure that I am following the advice that James (the brother of Jesus) gave to the council of forefathers in the first century church:
It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God (Acts 15:19).
When I am rightly positioned in alignment with the cornerstone, I will have a heart for those who do not yet know Him.
Beautifully written.
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