The cornerstone
Acts 4:1-12; 3/26/2023; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
What did Peter mean by the cornerstone? Simply put, it means ultimate care, the most important thing. This is a challenge for each of us to reflect on what is the most important thing in our life? Is it studying? Is it work? Is it to get rich? Is it flesh? Is it about children? Or is it the resurrection, the Holy Spirit and salvation that the Bible tells us today? Let’s look at the first point:
Cornerstone of resurrection
For those in authority, it is not only the resurrection of Jesus Christ that makes them hard to accept, but also the fact that there are people preaching this truth. Ever wonder why? First, the cause of the trouble. I used to be puzzled, why these high-ranking people are so ignorant? Well-informed, highly educated, rich in money, powerful, and well-connected, etc., all have the upper hand, but they are ignorant of the gospel and eternal life. The priests at that time were the representatives of the power of speech, thought, and religion, and had an influence on people’s hearts. The Temple Keeper represents the military and is second only to the High Priest. The original meaning of the word Sadducee is “a gentleman of integrity”, and they occupy the commanding heights of morality in people’s hearts. At the same time, the Sadducees are also masters of information. They even have advanced Greek thoughts, compromise with the Romans and Jewish power leaders, and agree with the Hebrew Old Testament, and they are proper winners in life. But it is precisely because of this that they are unwilling to give up their earthly interests and distance themselves from Christ.
Second, the exercise of authority. Power makes people lose their direction in life, but power is also enough to make people feel satisfied! In order to maintain this satisfying pleasure, the rulers and powers of all ages are all frantic! Faced with the apostles teaching the people, according to Jesus, and preaching the resurrection of the dead, it is very troublesome. What they think in the heart will inevitably lead to actions with authority, just like a city management bullying an aunt who sells vegetables. Of course, the authority of the chief priests far exceeds that of national security, because their authority is also scheming and enlightening. How can it be said that there is a resurrection of the dead? How can it be said that Jesus is the Christ and the Savior? How does this make us the chief priests, King Herod, and even the Roman emperor lose face? Isn’t this just competing with us for people’s hearts? If we all believe in Jesus, who will accompany us to die? In this way, it is a matter of course for Peter, John, etc. to be sent to prison.
Finally, many believed. For those in power, the people can be bullied and killed, but not all of them. Why? Where do you go to collect the taxes if you kill them all? Peter and John were arrested and imprisoned, but there are so many people’s hearts outside the prison! The Bible records: “But among those who heard the word, many believed, and the number of males was about five thousand.” what to do? People’s support is the way to power! What to do? “The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.” Not only are they going to meet, but “The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying. (Psalm 2:2)” It is difficult for the rulers of the antichrist to understand that people’s desire for life far exceeds the little living space that has been wormed into wool. Being able to live is a good thing, but it is not the satisfaction of life! Let’s look at the second point:
Cornerstone of the Holy Spirit
If resurrection is the greatest cornerstone of our faith in life, then the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of this cornerstone. First, the synagogue scene. Did you find this scene very familiar? It was also written by Luke, and it was said by the Lord himself: “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say. (Luke 12:11)” What Peter experienced at this time was exactly the scene predicted by the Lord. At this time, Peter, no matter how bad his memory was, would recall what the Lord had said back then. Of course, the Antichrist is very powerful, the Bible records, saying: “Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. ” Annas was appointed the first high priest in the province of Judah by Curie, the governor of Syria. Caiaphas was the son-in-law of Annas, and John and Alexander should be the two sons of Annas. In fact, Annas’ five sons and one son-in-law each served as high priest for nearly half a century. Such a powerful battle even surpassed the situation at the time of judging Christ, which can only explain the fear in Satan’s heart, nothing else.
Second, be filled with the Holy Spirit. If Peter relied on himself, he would undoubtedly fail. The Holy Spirit came and filled him when he needed it most and was weakest. The high priest asked Peter and John to stand in the middle, where they were judged: “By what power or what name did you do this?” This is the only evidence for us to check whether we are filled with the Holy Spirit, that is, to conduct ourselves in everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! How do you know that you are speaking in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? Of course, it is based on the principles of the Bible, that is, to correctly handle the word of truth. The so-called filling of the Holy Spirit that has no biblical basis is nothing more than a self-indulgent emotion.
Finally, a living testimony. Peter redefines the high priest’s question: “If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed.”? Excuse me, is this the question you want to ask? Are you sure you want to know the answer to this question? Alright, then I will truthfully testify before God and man: “then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. ” Of course Anna was shocked, everyone felt incredible! Hasn’t Jesus Christ of Nazareth been crucified by us? How did the man crippled from birth stand up? This is an epic testimony! Let’s look at the third point:
Cornerstone of salvation
Ever wonder why Christ rose from the dead? Just to show off His prestige, is there any other purpose? Yes, you are right, it is for salvation. First, the need to pass from death to life. When Adam and Eve sinned, sin entered the world through one man, so that all the world sinned and fell short of the glory of God. God must prepare a sinless vessel, that is, Christ, the Savior, the Son, the Lord! Of course God has the ability to overcome death, but salvation must lead people out of death. Therefore, Christ had to be incarnated, that is, in the likeness of a man, to go through man’s pain, struggle, weakness, and helplessness. This is why Jesus Christ is our way, truth and life. The divine-human nature of Christ Jesus solved the problem of saving from death to life.
Second, the laying of the first stone. If we go to Israel for archaeological local architecture, we will find that their houses were first paved with stones and then built up. Then, the first stone becomes very important, and this stone is the so-called corner stone. Every subsequent step, the placement or height of each stone is based on this first stone. The reason is simple, but it is not easy to accept. Because those with vested interests such as the high priest refuse to let go of their reputation, status, power, habits, emotions, and face. Why is Christ the cornerstone? Can’t our Confucius, Marx, Lenin, Stalin, and Mao Zedong be cornerstones? Why can’t I be the boss of the world? Since ancient times, people have fought for the same thing!
Finally, in no one else. The Bible usually does not argue, but clearly reveals to us: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” The next step is our choice, God has set life and death before us. Shall the name of your high priest make him who is lame from birth walk? Can the name of Confucius and Mencius bring people back from the dead? Was Alexander willing to be crucified for man? Can Hitler bring peace to the world? Was Stalin willing to put down the butcher knife in his hand? Could Mao Zedong not launch the Cultural Revolution? Could Deng Xiaoping not have shot and massacred students during June Fourth? Can Putin not invade Ukraine?
Conclusion
Dear brothers and sisters, Christ laid down his life for the sheep and laid the first stone of the house of God’s project to save the world. Peter, John and other disciples arranged the second, third and other stones in order to work, and we do the same, continuing to lay our lives on the first stone of Christ.
Let us pray……
Acts 4:1-12
1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.
2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.
4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.
6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family.
7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!
9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,
10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
