The physician Luke wrote how Peter spoke to the people who gathered together after lame man at the temple was healed and many, “which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have you done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole”, and in chapter four and verse eleven of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter said, “this is the stone which was set at nought of you builders” where we read:
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
The verse begins, “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, ...” Luke began with the words, “this is the stone” which means “this idea of Jesus Christ of Nazareth exists as the building stone” “which was set at nought” which means “that was made of no account, contemptible and despised utterly” “of you builders” or “by and through you, religious leaders and people of Israel, erectors, constructors and house builders”. Luke shared how Peter referred to Psalm 118:22-23 as he told the religious leaders and people of Israel that Jesus was the “stone” they accounted as contemptible.
The verse goes on to say, “... which is become the head of the corner.” Luke continued with the words, “which is become” or “that came into existence, happened and came to pass as” “the head of the corner” which means “the chief, prominent and supreme stone belonging to the external angle and internal corner”. Luke shared how Peter said Jesus became the “chief cornerstone” among them.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Peter referred to a particular stone which was “discarded” by the builders initially, however, later was discovered to be the “chief cornerstone” by which the entire building upon the main pillar on which the fabric might entirely rest. In other words, as far as a relationship with God the Father was concerned, Jesus was the “chief” access to Him. Jesus Christ came to the world to die for the sins of mankind, and when a person yields their life to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and relate to them for all eternity. God loves people, and He wants them to come to Him through His “Chief Cornerstone” Son, Jesus Christ.
Next time Luke shares how Peter says, “neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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