Acts Theology 19: Cornerstone and Servant

"This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone," as stated in Acts 4:11. This verse highlights how Jesus, rejected by the religious leaders, was paradoxically central to God's plan.
The concept of the "rejected stone becoming the cornerstone" originates from Psalm 118:22, a psalm that kings would typically recite to give thanks for military victories, often when they had been doubted. Jesus himself applied this idea to his own rejection by the rulers. In Peter's usage, he makes it direct, identifying the audience as "the builders" who rejected Jesus. The term "cornerstone" refers to a crucial, weight-bearing stone at the junction of two walls in a building, essential for its structural integrity, not merely a decorative stone with an inscription as in modern usage. There is a subtle connection drawn to Isaiah 53:3, which speaks of the Suffering Servant being "despised and rejected by men." This connection suggests that the rejection of Jesus as the cornerstone also aligns with the prophecy of a suffering servant who would be despised.
The rejection of Jesus by the authorities did not disprove his identity; rather, it fulfilled scriptural expectations of a Messiah who would suffer and be vindicated by God. This vindication, demonstrated through his resurrection, confirms his identity as the chosen, precious stone upon which believers are built. For those who reject him, this cornerstone becomes a stumbling block, leading to their ruin, while for believers, it is the means of salvation.
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