Gluten Free & God Seeking: Why is Christ Called the Cornerstone in Isaiah 28:16?

I learned way back in the Life-Study of Genesis that there’s a line concerning God's building that runs throughout the entire Bible. So I wasn’t too surprised when I read about the cornerstone of God's building in chapter 43 of the Life-Study of Isaiah. I googled cornerstone a few weeks ago when the believers I fellowship with were doing a study on Christ as the cornerstone of God’s spiritual building. I found out that it’s the first stone set in the construction of a stone foundation, and it’s important because all the stones are set in reference to it. I kept this in mind as I checked out different verses.

I was in California with my family on spring break.

That week I looked up and wrote out a lot of the verses mentioned in this Life-Study, and this is what I found out. The first time the word cornerstone is mentioned is in Psalm 118:22-23: "The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This is from Jehovah; it is wonderful in our sight." When I read this, I wondered if any of the Jews understood the spiritual significance of this passage.

The next time it’s mentioned again is in Isaiah 28:16, and again the reader might wonder if this is just referring to an actual stone they used in building their temple. "... Indeed I lay in Zion as a foundation a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a foundation firmly established; He who believes will not hasten away."

In Matthew 21:42 the Lord takes the liberty to apply the cornerstone mentioned in the Old Testament to Himself. But it’s not clear until you read Ephesians why this is so important; so hang in there with me: "Jesus said to them, have you never read in the Scriptures, the stone which the builders rejected this has become the head of the corner…."

When Peter was preaching the gospel to the Jews in Acts 4, he also quotes from these Old Testament passages on the cornerstone: "This is the stone which was considered as nothing by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner. And there is salvation in no other, for neither is there another name under heaven given among men in which we must be saved."

From the Life-Study of Acts I was touched to see that God’s salvation is for His building! This is a huge revelation that Peter gave in this gospel message. But as I was reading this, I realized that you have to keep in mind that Peter’s a Jew speaking to Jews in Jerusalem. The gospel hadn't spread to the Gentile world yet. It's like God was getting their hearts prepared for a big shift.

The Lord really gave the Apostle Paul insight into the significance of the cornerstone in Ephesians 2:18-20—here’s a part of that: "For through Him we both [Jew and Gentile] have access in one Spirit unto the Father being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone." Earlier in this chapter Paul mentions that on the cross the Lord made one new man of two people—the Jews and the Gentiles.

Here for the first time it is evident that Christ is the cornerstone who JOINS these two very different peoples into one Body. And the Lord is doing the same thing today with all the members of His Body, He is the cornerstone joining us to one another so He can have a spiritual house that expresses Him! I like Witness Lee's explanation on page 304-305 in chapter 43 of the cornerstone:

The New Testament tells us based upon Psalm 188:22-24, that Christ is the chief cornerstone (Rom. 9:33; Matt. 21:42; Acts 4:11-12; Eph. 2:20). According to the New Testament, Christ as the cornerstone joins together the two walls, one of the Jewish believers and the other of the Gentile believers. Because Christ took the lead to join together the Jews and the Gentiles, He is the first cornerstone. Even today we are not only held by Him as our foundation stone but also joined together by Him as our cornerstone. I am joined to you, and you are joined to me. We are joined together by Christ. Without Him, we are separate and detached....Very few Christians know that Jesus Christ, their Savior is the cornerstone. Our Savior, Jesus saves us into God's building and joins us to God's building (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Isaiah. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1994, Print).

The last time cornerstone is mentioned is in 1 Peter 2:6-7 and now as an older believer Peter is encouraging the believers about Christ building up the believers into a spiritual house: For it is contained in Scripture, Behold I lay in Zion a cornerstone, chosen and precious….The stone which the builders rejected this has become the head of the corner. This thread on the cornerstone weaves throughout Scripture, and it’s impressive that it’s quoted in different ways six times!! That must mean it's pretty important. This reminds me of Matthew 16:16 when the Lord said, "I will build My church…." And one important way He makes that happen is by being the cornerstone!!! Only He can join so many diverse people and backgrounds together into His dwelling place!!

Life-Study of Isaiah:
You can listen to excerpts of Witness Lee's speaking the Life-Study of Isaiah on Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee. You can also read the online Life-Studies of Isaiah and check out other resources available to enhance your study of the Bible on Living Stream Ministry's website.

How Can the Son in Isaiah 7:14 & 9:6 Be the Mighty God?
Seeing Christ as the Great Light in Isaiah 9:2
Why is Christ Called the Cornerstone in Isaiah 28:26?
Taking a Closer Look at Isaiah 53 - Christ's Crucifixion Foretold - Part 1

Taking a Closer Look at Isaiah 53 - Christ's Resurrection &Ascension Foretold - Part 2 of 2