A Living Stone

by David T. Hyland | Category: General | Nov 1958

The object of a previous article (see July, page 107), was to show from the Lord's own words that He is the Rock upon which His church is founded (Matthew 16). This church is identical with "the Church which is His (Christ's) Body," of which Paul writes in Ephesians 1.22, 28. Our present purpose is to draw attention to another important truth, namely, that the raised and glorified Christ is the foundation Stone, the chief corner Stone, upon which the House of God is established. God's dwelling place must rest upon a sound foundation. The tabernacle was a house made of curtains ; it differed from other tents pitched on the desert sand, in that it rested on a foundation of solid silver sockets. In connexion with the Solomonic temple we read, "They hewed out great stones, costly stones, to lay the foundation of the house with wrought stone" (1 Kings 5.17).

The word "church" is always used in the New Testament to describe a company who are called out and gathered together. The context gives guidance in deciding to which company reference is made. Two important uses of the word "church" can be seen by comparing the phrase "the Church which is His (Christ's) Body," (Ephesians 1.22, 28), with the term "the church of God which is at Corinth" (1 Corinthians 1.2). In these two passages the word "church" clearly describes churches which are not identical in constitution or extent. There is only one" Church which is His Body" (Ephesians 4.4), but there are many cities besides Corinth where there were churches of God. In accordance with the command of the Lord Jesus to His apostles they had to begin their testimony at Jerusalem and this was the first city where a church of God was planted, the one that was persecuted by Saul of Tarsus (Gallatians 1.18).

All who respond to the world-wide call to repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are baptized by the Lord Himself "in one Spirit into one Body"(John 1.88 R.V. mg. ; 1 Corinthians 12.18). But to be in a church of God it is necessary for those who seek to be therein to manifest a disciple spirit and to be baptized in water prior to being added, as we see from Acts 2.41. Such are called into the Fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, by God, a call to separation and service (1 Corinthians 1.9).

"The Church which is His (Christ's) Body" is as to its composition for the most part, an invisible company of saints; it is heavenly and the membership thereof is absolutely unconditional. The churches of God together form the House of God, a visible, earthly unity; which is conditional upon holding" fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end" (Hebrews 3.6). As Christ is the "Head of the Body" exercising' full control, so also His authority in regard to the divine dwelling place is seen in the fact that He is "Son over His (God's) house" (Hebrews 3.6). Not only is He "the Head of the Body" and "Son over God's house," but both the Body and the house are founded on and by Him.

Towards the end of our Lord's public ministry He related to the rulers of Israel the parable of the householder and His vineyard (Matthew 21). The vineyard speaks of Israel; God planted it with the choicest vine, and looked for fruit, but this He was denied. God's servants the prophets were shamefully treated. Lastly the Son was sent in the Father's name and they hurried Him to a cruel death outside the city. The application is to the leaders of the nation, who were the" miserable men." The chief priests and Pharisees knew this; "they perceived that He spake the parable against them" (Mark 12.12). They should have been building for God, but being out of touch with God's purposes they rejected the Messiah. Nevertheless, "The Stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the Head of the corner." The consequences of their action are described in the words, "The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Matthew 21.48).

The rejection of Christ by Israel was national, absolute and irrevocable. It is seen in the decision of the Jewish council and the verdict of the mob at Jerusalem. On more than one occasion the members of the Sanhedrim "took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtilty and kill Him"' (Matthew 26.4). They employed Judas to betray the Master and He was brought from Gethsemane to the council chamber. False witnesses were easily bribed to speak against Him. The reply to the high priest's question, "What think ye?" was unanimous, "He is worthy of death." Before Pilate's bar the proceedings were equally undignified. The governor left the issue with the multitude - Jesus or Barabbas? They asked for the criminal rather than the Christ and they bore Him to Calvary. The rejection of Christ by Israel was complete, but His resurrection and ascension are the fulfilment of the words, " made the Head of the corner."

Passing now to a further use of this scripture by Peter when before the Sanhedrim in connexion with the healing of the impotent man, Peter lost no time in charging them with accountability for the death of Jesus of Nazareth, and in assuring them that He is raised from among the dead. "He is the Stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the Head of the corner" (Acts 4.11). It is in His name that the invalid has been healed, and furthermore salvation is freely available to all through faith in His Person and work.

In the second chapter of his first epistle Peter makes further reference to the rejected Stone. The reference here is in relation to the house of God (a spiritual house, verse 5). The salvation associated with spiritual growth is from the power of sin in daily experience and with practical separation. It is essential that each individual believer should personally acknowledge the universal and sovereign lordship of Christ. It is an indisputable fact that "God hath made Him both Lord and Christ." The responsibility rests upon each saved person to own the lordship of Christ, to sanctify in the heart Christ as Lord

(1 Peter 3.15). Such persons are seen coming to Him who is "a living Stone rejected indeed of men, but with God elect precious."

All believers, through the experience of the new birth, are living stones, but, alas, not all living stones are built up into God's spiritual house today. Indeed, many believers have not yet realized it is God's desire to have a dwelling-place on earth. Those who desire to give expression to the divine will are viewed as coming continually and collectively to Him whom God has placed in authority in Mount Zion, to be "built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2.3-6). The raised and glorified Christ is the chief corner Stone in Zion and of God's house. This Stone is prominent in the foundation and gives strength and character to the whole structure. Other stones take their position by alignment to the chief corner Stone.

The house or temple of God is composed of churches of God. Paul describes the church of God in Corinth as " God's building" (1 Corinthians 3.9). Each building is firmly established on the Foundation which is Jesus Christ. Men build on this foundation because the maintenance of God's house is a matter of human responsibility. This again is in contrast to the Church which is His (Christ's) Body, of which Christ is the sole Builder and Preserver.

All believers are eternally secure upon the Rock which is Christ, but few, alas, subject themselves to Him to whom God has given all authority and take their place with Him in His rejection by man. We stress the importance of knowing the Stone for a Foundation and taking and maintaining a place in the house of God.

David T. Hyland | Nov 1958
General