1723. The Spiritual Stone
The Spiritual Stone
"To whom coming, as unto a Living Stone, rejected indeed of men, but chosen of God, precious, ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1Pe_2:4-5, \1911 Bible).
We have considered six statements concerning the Living Stone. Each of these were used directly in connection with Israel.
Perhaps we have wondered that there has been no application in these messages to the churches, or to the Gentiles.
This application will furnish the subject matter for this final discussion.
1. The Apostle Peter spoke of the Living Stone as precious unto saints.
"Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious; and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded" (1Pe_2:6).
Thus far the quotation is Jewish–but the application which Peter makes is to the saints, for his Epistle is addressed to the strangers scattered abroad, who are elect according to the foreknowledge of God (see 1Pe_1:1-2).
Unto these saints, it is that Peter speaks of Christ, the Chief Corner Stone, and then he adds:
"Unto you therefore who believe he is precious" (1Pe_1:7, \1911 Bible).
2. The Apostle Peter spoke of living stones, in their relationship to Jesus Christ, the Living Stone.
"Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1Pe_1:5, \1911 Bible).
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner-stone" (Eph_2:19-20, \1911 Bible).
Thus the Church is described as a building, and Jesus Christ the head of the corner, is made the chief corner stone of that building. It is in Him that "all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord" (Eph_2:21).
It is in Him that the saints "are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph_2:22).
3. The Apostle Peter speaks finally of the Stone in its relationship to the Gentile unbelievers. As Israel stumbled at the Cross–so also do the Gentiles stumble.
Unto those who believe on Christ, He is precious, but to those who reject Him, He has become "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them that stumble at the Word, being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed" (1Pe_2:8).
With the history of Israel before them, and with her sorrows and sufferings in view, it seems astonishing indeed that the Gentiles should follow in their pathway, and that they should stumble, as Israel also stumbled, over the smitten Rock.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR