And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief Corner Stone. Ephesians 2:20
Building construction practices have changed radically since ancient days. When the builders put up a house on a lot near to us, there was no corner stone. Even in large buildings, there is no need for such a stone, although one is sometimes included for ceremonial purposes. But in ancient days, especially in large buildings, the corner stone was critical to the entire project. The corner stone established the orientation of the building. It also gave support and direction to the rest of the foundation. As the chief Corner Stone, the Lord Jesus does the same for his Assembly.
The context makes it clear that Paul is speaking of the universal Assembly that is composed of all believers. But the same principles also apply to the local Assembly, and to individual believers, when considering the Corner Stone. The metaphor of a corner stone is one of the ways in which the Scriptures help us to understand and appreciate the roles of the Lord Jesus in connection with His people.
When builders were setting the corner stone in place, they were most careful as to its orientation. That stone determined whether the building would face north, west, or southeast. But once that stone was in place, the orientation was set, and the building’s location and direction were firmly and permanently established. We did not set the Corner Stone in place for the Assembly, God did (Isaiah 28:16, 1 Peter 2:6). Just as the corner stone of a house determines whether that house faces the rising sun, the noonday sun, or the setting sun, so the Corner Stone of the Assembly determines that the Assembly faces the truth of the Word of God. The Scriptures, and only the Scriptures, contain the direction for the people of God. Anything that is contrary to the Word of God is a false direction, and God’s holy people must never face that way.
The apostles and the prophets took their direction from the Lord Jesus, as they established the work of God in the early days of Christianity. With Him as their corner stone, they began the work that continues today, as the Gospel is preached, as the truths of the Word of God are taught, as the testimony of the Lord’s people is presented to the world. As long as the Lord Jesus is maintained as the direction, that foundation provides a good basis for God’s Assembly. How foolish of the Roman Catholic church to take a different corner stone. How Peter would laugh to see the mockery that organization has made of truth by using him instead of the One Who proclaimed Himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Assemblies, and each of us as Christians, are on a sure and firm foundation, a foundation that is forever established on the chief Corner Stone -Jim MacIntosh