Christ the Cornerstone

On June 12, 1979, a young man made aviation history when he few a pedal-powered plane across the English Channel. Taking off from England, he flew for three hours, rarely more than fifteen feet above the water. Finally, after covering twenty-two miles, he landed exhausted on the coast of France. As dramatic as this was, man-powered flight will never be practical. A man simply cannot maintain the necessary energy output for extended flights.

In the same way, no one can live the Christian life pedaling on his or her own power. It is only through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit that we can consistently live the Christian life.

This seen starts off with Peter and John in custody after healing the lame man and for preaching that Christ was resurrected from the dead. As we know the Saducess didn’t believe in the resurrection of the dead so this was indeed personal for them and also Peter accused them of killing an innocent man which indeed in the Christ the Messiah.

As they where preaching the resurrection 5,000 men where saved. vs 4

The resurrection solidified that everything that Jesus said in His lifestyle every mircle that was performed the purpose of the crucifixion became true because of the resurrection.

Without the resurrection all the claims Jesus made about Himself and our very faith in null and void.

Paul understood that the resurrection was vitally important and indeed a carinal doctrine that he took 58 verses to contend for it.

1 Corinthians 15:5–8 NKJV

5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

These where all eye witnesses of Christ resurrection. This isn’t a exhaustive account of eye witnesses because we know Christ appeared to women as well.

He said the greater part remain to the present. So these weren’t anonymous witnesses but Pauls audience could easily reach out to these people.

Last of all , does not mean that Paul was least significant (since that is stated in the next verse) but it does mean that he was the last to see Christ resurrected body.

Born out of due time. Its using the picture of a premature birth one that came all of a sudden and unexpectedly.

The other Apostles where called in a more progressive and traditional way.

How where you called to Christ was it a more traditional way

1 Corinthians 15:9–10 NKJV

9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Acts 4:5–12 NKJV

5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to 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, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Annas was the most powerful political figures among the Jews at that time.

Five of his sons, one grandson, and a son-in-law all acquired the rank of high priest. He may well have been the power behind the scenes, calling all the shots.

One of Annas sons named Caiaphas was very influential in the convicting of Jesus.

So Peter is in front of the top men in the Jewish culture at this point of time.

vs 8 The Peter , filled with the Holy Spirit.

after healing the man crippled from birth Peter already stated publically that the power was not their own Acts 3:12 “12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?”

In this context we are not fully sure Peter was again filled with the Spirit or that he was still filled with The Spirit from pentecost.

But either was Peter spoke with much boldness and wisdom being filed with the Spirit. Luke 21:15 “15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.” ‘

Is this your experience in your Christian journey do you have a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist?

Or are you a walking contradiction.

I believed Peter remember these words from Jesus .

Luke 12:12 “12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.””

Times when being filled with the Holy Spirit was mentioned in the book of Acts.

Acts 2:4 The first time they where filled with the Holy Spirit they began to speak in tongues.

Then Peter preached a bold message

Acts 3 Peter always rose up after healing the lame man and preached boldly and 5,000 men got saved.

Acts 4:8 Peter being filled with the Spirit began to address these Jewish leaders and the people

Act 13:9 - Paul being full of The Spirit made a false prophet/ sorcerer go blind. His name was Bar-Jesus.

Once again Paul spoke boldly at this moment.

Vs 11-

Acts 4:11 “11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’”

the word rejected means scorned - they believe Jesus was worthless and rejected Him.

They treated Jesus as worthless and despicable.

They treated Jesus with contempt looked down on Him.

1 Corinthians 1:27 NKJV

27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

1 Cor 1:28 “28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,”

base things- the insignificant things.

God has chosen. Three times Paul said God has chosen. We don’t chose But God does the choosing.

God usually chooses the most paculiar ways to bless you.

The greatest blessings that come into your life come in very strange ways.

1 Cor 1:29 “29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.”

1 Cor 1:30 “30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—”