I Will Build My Church

[Anthony Pritchard]

Where are we told those two things?

Scripture identifies Christ as the cornerstone in prophecy (Psalm 118), in His earthly ministry (Matthew 21), and in His exaltation (Acts 4). He is the cornerstone before, during, and after His rising.

Scripture also shows Christ beginning His building work when He constituted the apostles in Luke 6. They are the foundation of the assembly He promised to build (Ephesians 2:20). The forming of the foundation is the beginning of the building.

 

[Ascetic X]

Whether we are Jews or Gentiles, we are all Led to be baptized by water into one local church body, like that one in Corinth, where God says, "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular", and are each one a part of that one local church body, so they are both in there together and need to get used to being equals.

Where do you get the idea of “one local church body”?

Are you a disciple of Watchman Née or Witness Lee and the Local Church sect, which teaches that there is only one valid local church in each town?

The truth is that the totality of believers exists as one body of Christ spiritually assembled in the heavenlies. This totality also exists in separate assemblies of believers in churches on earth, in specific locations.

Ephesians 3

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.



When Jesus said He was going to build His church, He referred to the universal collective entity, not to any specific location. If local assemblies were meant, Jesus would have said churches plural.


Matthew 16:18

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.



There was certainly more than one church assembly in Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Galatia, etc., because at first, church assemblies met in homes. A home could hold only 10 or maybe 20 individuals, but there could be thousands of believers in a town. So there were multiple churches or assemblies of believers in each town. “The church at Ephesus” would then mean not one home fellowship, but the totality of all home churches in Ephesus.


Romans 16

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus.

4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.

 

[JD731]

Scripture identifies Christ as the cornerstone in prophecy (Psalm 118), in His earthly ministry (Matthew 21), and in His exaltation (Acts 4). He is the cornerstone before, during, and after His rising.

Scripture also shows Christ beginning His building work when He constituted the apostles in Luke 6. They are the foundation of the assembly He promised to build (Ephesians 2:20). The forming of the foundation is the beginning of the building.

There is no evidence in Ps 118 that a grouping of apostles are in view here. The one phrase in the psalm one can use to connect the church to the prophecy and that is the actual phrase in verse 22.

You may not and probably will not agree with how I believe one should read and understand this psalm. The Psalmist is speaking about The LORD in the last day, the 7th day. the day of the Lord, the millennial day when all of Israel's enemies will be destroyed and all who are left of Israel will be saved. The psalmist is speaking as if he is the collective son of God.
Because of the prophetic nature of the psalms and the parallel prophecies of Israel and Jesus Christ in his person one must view Ps 118 in this way and one must know the prophecy of Israel leading up to and including the day of the LORD. If he does not make that connection then many of the Psalms will be misunderstood.

Ex 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

As Israel collectively was born physically under the heavy hand of Pharoah so will Israel be born again under the heavy hand of anti-Christ. It will be possible because the LORD will become the cornerstone and national salvation is possible for them in that day when they collectively and individually believe his gospel.

You should read MT 21 again. This chapter takes place beginning 6 days (JN 12:1) before the Passover and contains events of the first 4 of those days. On Sunday, day 1, he presented himself to Israel as their promised King. Wednesday was the 4th day and the last day he was ever in the temple. Luke was not interested breaking down the days but Mark was and one can see the progressing of each day in his gospel. The point is Jesus was not made the cornerstone until after his death. Compare these verses;

Mt 21:40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

They stood as the dried up fig tree in the chapter.

He is the cornerstone before, during, and after His rising.

He is still building the building. It is not finished yet.

Luke 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Rejected first then becomes the head of the corner.

1 Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Read PS 118 about mercy. and see how important it is to that Psalmist.

 

[Anthony Pritchard]

There is no evidence in Ps 118 that a grouping of apostles are in view here. The one phrase in the psalm one can use to connect the church to the prophecy and that is the actual phrase in verse 22.

You may not and probably will not agree with how I believe one should read and understand this psalm. The Psalmist is speaking about The LORD in the last day, the 7th day. the day of the Lord, the millennial day when all of Israel's enemies will be destroyed and all who are left of Israel will be saved. The psalmist is speaking as if he is the collective son of God.
Because of the prophetic nature of the psalms and the parallel prophecies of Israel and Jesus Christ in his person one must view Ps 118 in this way and one must know the prophecy of Israel leading up to and including the day of the LORD. If he does not make that connection then many of the Psalms will be misunderstood.

Ex 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

As Israel collectively was born physically under the heavy hand of Pharoah so will Israel be born again under the heavy hand of anti-Christ. It will be possible because the LORD will become the cornerstone and national salvation is possible for them in that day when they collectively and individually believe his gospel.

You should read MT 21 again. This chapter takes place beginning 6 days (JN 12:1) before the Passover and contains events of the first 4 of those days. On Sunday, day 1, he presented himself to Israel as their promised King. Wednesday was the 4th day and the last day he was ever in the temple. Luke was not interested breaking down the days but Mark was and one can see the progressing of each day in his gospel. The point is Jesus was not made the cornerstone until after his death. Compare these verses;

Mt 21:40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

They stood as the dried up fig tree in the chapter.

He is the cornerstone before, during, and after His rising.

He is still building the building. It is not finished yet.

Luke 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Rejected first then becomes the head of the corner.

1 Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Read PS 118 about mercy. and see how important it is to that Psalmist.

JD, Psalm 118 does not need to mention the apostles for Christ to be identified as the cornerstone before His resurrection. The cornerstone is the Messiah Himself, not the apostolic group. Psalm 118:22 says, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” Jesus applies this to Himself in His earthly ministry in Matthew 21:42, before His death, and Peter applies it again in Acts 4:11 after His resurrection. The text shows the Messiah as the cornerstone in prophecy, in His ministry, and in His exaltation.

Your reading of Psalm 118 as a national prophecy of Israel in the millennial day is your interpretive framework, but Jesus Himself applies the psalm directly to His own person, not to Israel collectively. Matthew 21:42 is explicit: “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected…?” He identifies Himself as the rejected stone during His earthly ministry. That is the point I made.

Regarding the beginning of Christ’s building work, Luke 6:13 records the moment He constituted the apostles: “He called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.” Ephesians 2:20 identifies these men as the foundation of the assembly Christ promised to build. The forming of the foundation is the beginning of the building. Pentecost is the empowering of the assembly, not the beginning of its formation.

Christ is the cornerstone in prophecy (Psalm 118), in His ministry (Matthew 21), and in His exaltation (Acts 4). He began building when He laid the foundation stones in Luke 6. That is the Scriptural sequence I am presenting.

 

[percho]

Matt 21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.

A. Matt 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

B. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

g1096 ἐγενήθη γίνομαι

I do wonder why the Holy Spirit elected to use ἐγενήθη there?

 

[Anthony Pritchard]

Matt 21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.

A. Matt 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

B. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

g1096 ἐγενήθη γίνομαι

I do wonder why the Holy Spirit elected to use ἐγενήθη there?

Percho, ἐγενήθη in Matthew 21:42 does not mean Christ only became the cornerstone after His death. The verb often marks public recognition or manifestation, not the beginning of identity (cf. John 1:14; Acts 2:36). Jesus applies Psalm 118:22 to Himself during His earthly ministry, before His death, which shows He is the cornerstone in prophecy, in His ministry, and in His exaltation. The verb does not change that sequence.

 

[kyredneck]

Are you a disciple of Watchman Née or Witness Lee and the Local Church sect, which teaches that there is only one valid local church in each town?

@Alan Dale Gross is unabashedly a Landmarkist.

 

[JD731]

JD, Psalm 118 does not need to mention the apostles for Christ to be identified as the cornerstone before His resurrection. The cornerstone is the Messiah Himself, not the apostolic group. Psalm 118:22 says, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” Jesus applies this to Himself in His earthly ministry in Matthew 21:42, before His death, and Peter applies it again in Acts 4:11 after His resurrection. The text shows the Messiah as the cornerstone in prophecy, in His ministry, and in His exaltation.

Your reading of Psalm 118 as a national prophecy of Israel in the millennial day is your interpretive framework, but Jesus Himself applies the psalm directly to His own person, not to Israel collectively. Matthew 21:42 is explicit: “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected…?” He identifies Himself as the rejected stone during His earthly ministry. That is the point I made.

My position on the the cornerstone in scripture is that God is most definitely saying that the person of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone. I have not said I believe he is not. The question you have raised is "when" is he the cornerstone. You say it is when the apostles were chosen in Luke 6. You do not say how that series of events made him the chief cornerstone. Nothing about the physical birth of Jesus Christ informs us that he is made the cornerstone of the church. It is the events of his second birth when he became the cornerstone. This is the context of Acts 4:11. Peter refers back to Psa 118 and informs the Jewish audience, who are the rulers and teachers of Israel, that it is the confirmation that he has indeed fulfilled that prophecy at his death, burial, and resurrection. It is the single event that changed all history going forward and secures the kingdom of God. The cornerstone is in the broader context of the kingdom of God of which the church represents the spiritual part. The apostles and prophets with their special gifts are connected foundationally with both. Acts 4:11 narrows it down. Peter said that Jesus Christ was set at nought of YOU builders. (referring in context to this generation of guilty rulers)

Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Regarding the beginning of Christ’s building work, Luke 6:13 records the moment He constituted the apostles: “He called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.” Ephesians 2:20 identifies these men as the foundation of the assembly Christ promised to build. The forming of the foundation is the beginning of the building. Pentecost is the empowering of the assembly, not the beginning of its formation.

The earthly ministry of Jesus Christ concerns his earthly ministry and fulfilling the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants he has made with Israel. This kingdom he has come to establish is after the model of Moses in the wilderness where there were 12 heads and 70 elders. These offices he has filled with these disciples are kingdom offices and the church is built on them. They are said to be gifts to the church and were commissioned before the beginning of it.

27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

That is either true or not. You be the judge according to how you believe words.

Christ is the cornerstone in prophecy (Psalm 118), in His ministry (Matthew 21), and in His exaltation (Acts 4). He began building when He laid the foundation stones in Luke 6. That is the Scriptural sequence I am presenting.

I am going to quote an OT passage concerning Jesus resurrection being a birth (he is the firstborn from the dead) and the head of the church at the same time.

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
It is important to read whole context of Ps 2.

Acts 13:29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
30 But God raised him from the dead:
31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Read all the context and ask yourself what is Paul trying to prove with this quote of Ps 2 in the present dispensation. How does this square with your view?

 

[Anthony Pritchard]

My position on the the cornerstone in scripture is that God is most definitely saying that the person of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone. I have not said I believe he is not. The question you have raised is "when" is he the cornerstone. You say it is when the apostles were chosen in Luke 6. You do not say how that series of events made him the chief cornerstone. Nothing about the physical birth of Jesus Christ informs us that he is made the cornerstone of the church. It is the events of his second birth when he became the cornerstone. This is the context of Acts 4:11. Peter refers back to Psa 118 and informs the Jewish audience, who are the rulers and teachers of Israel, that it is the confirmation that he has indeed fulfilled that prophecy at his death, burial, and resurrection. It is the single event that changed all history going forward and secures the kingdom of God. The cornerstone is in the broader context of the kingdom of God of which the church represents the spiritual part. The apostles and prophets with their special gifts are connected foundationally with both. Acts 4:11 narrows it down. Peter said that Jesus Christ was set at nought of YOU builders. (referring in context to this generation of guilty rulers)

Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

The earthly ministry of Jesus Christ concerns his earthly ministry and fulfilling the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants he has made with Israel. This kingdom he has come to establish is after the model of Moses in the wilderness where there were 12 heads and 70 elders. These offices he has filled with these disciples are kingdom offices and the church is built on them. They are said to be gifts to the church and were commissioned before the beginning of it.

27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

That is either true or not. You be the judge according to how you believe words.



I am going to quote an OT passage concerning Jesus resurrection being a birth (he is the firstborn from the dead) and the head of the church at the same time.

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
It is important to read whole context of Ps 2.

Acts 13:29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
30 But God raised him from the dead:
31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Read all the context and ask yourself what is Paul trying to prove with this quote of Ps 2 in the present dispensation. How does this square with your view?

JD, you are free to hold whatever prophetic framework you choose, but your position does not change the textual sequence Scripture actually gives. My point is simple and remains unchanged:

Jesus identifies Himself as the cornerstone during His earthly ministry, before His death and resurrection.

That is not my interpretive system , that is Jesus’ own application of Psalm 118.

1. Jesus applies Psalm 118:22 to Himself before His resurrection.
Matthew 21:42 is explicit:

“Jesus saith unto them… The stone which the builders rejected…”

He applies the rejected‑stone prophecy to His own person during His earthly ministry.
That alone establishes the cornerstone identity before the resurrection.

Your position requires that He cannot be the cornerstone until after resurrection.
Jesus’ own words contradict that.

2. Acts 4:11 is not about “when He became” the cornerstone.
Peter is not defining the moment Christ became the cornerstone.
He is identifying the same rejected stone Jesus identified earlier.

Acts 4:11 is a vindication, not a creation.

The resurrection vindicates the rejected stone.
It does not create the stone.

The cornerstone existed in prophecy (Psalm 118),
was identified in ministry (Matthew 21),
and was vindicated in exaltation (Acts 4).

That is the sequence Scripture presents.

3. Psalm 2 does not teach that Christ “became” the cornerstone at resurrection.
Psalm 2 is about royal enthronement , the public declaration of Sonship and kingship.
Acts 13 applies Psalm 2 to the resurrection as public confirmation, not as the moment Christ became the Son or became the cornerstone.

You are merging categories that Scripture keeps distinct:

Begotten (public enthronement)

Cornerstone (Messianic identity)

Foundation laying (apostolic constitution)

These are not the same act.

4. The apostles were constituted in Luke 6 , that is the beginning of the building.
Luke 6:13 is the moment Christ lays the foundation stones:

“He chose twelve… whom also He named apostles.”

Ephesians 2:20 identifies these men as the foundation of the assembly Christ promised to build.

Foundation laying is the beginning of building.
Pentecost is the empowering of what was already formed.

Your position requires the foundation to be laid after the cornerstone is set.
Scripture presents the cornerstone first (Psalm 118 - Matthew 21),
then the foundation (Luke 6),
then the vindication (Acts 4).

That is the order.

5. Your kingdom‑framework does not change the textual facts.
You are free to interpret the apostles as kingdom officers, or to connect Moses’ pattern to Christ’s ministry, but none of that changes the cornerstone sequence Scripture gives.

Your system may require Christ to “become” the cornerstone at resurrection.
Scripture does not.

The summary
Jesus identifies Himself as the cornerstone before resurrection.

Peter identifies Him as the same cornerstone after resurrection.

Psalm 2 concerns enthronement, not cornerstone identity.

Luke 6 is the laying of the foundation stones.

Pentecost empowers what Christ already built.

Your position is permitted as your personal interpretive framework,
but it does not align with the textual sequence Scripture presents.

 

[JD731]

JD, you are free to hold whatever prophetic framework you choose, but your position does not change the textual sequence Scripture actually gives. My point is simple and remains unchanged:

Jesus identifies Himself as the cornerstone during His earthly ministry, before His death and resurrection.

That is not my interpretive system , that is Jesus’ own application of Psalm 118.

1. Jesus applies Psalm 118:22 to Himself before His resurrection.
Matthew 21:42 is explicit:

“Jesus saith unto them… The stone which the builders rejected…”

He applies the rejected‑stone prophecy to His own person during His earthly ministry.
That alone establishes the cornerstone identity before the resurrection.

Your position requires that He cannot be the cornerstone until after resurrection.
Jesus’ own words contradict that.

2. Acts 4:11 is not about “when He became” the cornerstone.
Peter is not defining the moment Christ became the cornerstone.
He is identifying the same rejected stone Jesus identified earlier.

Acts 4:11 is a vindication, not a creation.

The resurrection vindicates the rejected stone.
It does not create the stone.

The cornerstone existed in prophecy (Psalm 118),
was identified in ministry (Matthew 21),
and was vindicated in exaltation (Acts 4).

That is the sequence Scripture presents.

3. Psalm 2 does not teach that Christ “became” the cornerstone at resurrection.
Psalm 2 is about royal enthronement , the public declaration of Sonship and kingship.
Acts 13 applies Psalm 2 to the resurrection as public confirmation, not as the moment Christ became the Son or became the cornerstone.

You are merging categories that Scripture keeps distinct:

Begotten (public enthronement)

Cornerstone (Messianic identity)

Foundation laying (apostolic constitution)

These are not the same act.

4. The apostles were constituted in Luke 6 , that is the beginning of the building.
Luke 6:13 is the moment Christ lays the foundation stones:

“He chose twelve… whom also He named apostles.”

Ephesians 2:20 identifies these men as the foundation of the assembly Christ promised to build.

Foundation laying is the beginning of building.
Pentecost is the empowering of what was already formed.

Your position requires the foundation to be laid after the cornerstone is set.
Scripture presents the cornerstone first (Psalm 118 - Matthew 21),
then the foundation (Luke 6),
then the vindication (Acts 4).

That is the order.

5. Your kingdom‑framework does not change the textual facts.
You are free to interpret the apostles as kingdom officers, or to connect Moses’ pattern to Christ’s ministry, but none of that changes the cornerstone sequence Scripture gives.

Your system may require Christ to “become” the cornerstone at resurrection.
Scripture does not.

The summary
Jesus identifies Himself as the cornerstone before resurrection.

Peter identifies Him as the same cornerstone after resurrection.

Psalm 2 concerns enthronement, not cornerstone identity.

Luke 6 is the laying of the foundation stones.

Pentecost empowers what Christ already built.

Your position is permitted as your personal interpretive framework,
but it does not align with the textual sequence Scripture presents.

Anthony, you of course likewise can hold to your own interpretation but the scriptures does not allow for the choosing of the apostles in Luke 6 to be the laying of the foundation. There is no support for that interpretation in Luke 6 or Mt 10 or anywhere else. We are plainly told what they were called to do in those chapters and it was not to be a foundation. Jesus Christ has not been officially rejected at this time and he was not preaching about his church, which certainly was, before creation, the purpose of God. But in Luke 6 it was a mystery and unrevealed and hidden in God.
Laying the cornerstone is not about the resurrection but about a burial in the ground. That is how he can build his church on the testimony of those apostles who later received the Holy Spirit into their bodies as the new birth, making them sons of God. But they did not receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost when the Spirit was poured out from heaven in such abundance that every one of Israel can drink him in. They received the Spirt when Jesus breathed on them late on resurrection day in the upper room when he breathed on them and gave them his own power of binding and loosing. At Pentecost they were said to be filled with the Spirit which is far different. A spirit filled saint is one who already has the Spirit but is in full cooperation of the Spirit's use of ones members to accomplish his purpose.

Jesus Christ came to his own, Judah, to present himself as the promised Messiah and King. He preached with these disciples during the whole course of his ministry and it was not until a few days before he was crucified that he ever taught anything about coming to die and rise again. Why is that? because a person must receive Christ in the heart as King, and in the case of gentiles, Lord, before they can be saved. The church, which is considered by God since 70 AD as a gentile church and prefigured by gentile women married to Jewish men in the OT, do not get justified for believing what those in the gospels were charged to believe, which is clearly articulated by John the apostle. This is what John said;

John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these (signs) are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

This is the gospel of the kingdom of heaven that was preached in the gospel accounts to Israel and her proselytes. They were confirmed by seven miraculous signs in John's gospel. Since the cross and resurrection, we believe, but verse 31 is not what we believe to be saved. Read the NT and see for yourself. First Corinthians 15 is a good place to start where the gospel of Jesus Christ is defined as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that with all my heart. He died for me. Eventually the Jews who believed what Jesus preached did receive the Holy Spirit and have life through his name but it was after he died and was buried and rose again. Meanwhile they were justified by believing what God said to them.

None in the gospel of John who believed that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God believed it when they were told that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

There are two parts of the kingdom, physical and spiritual, just like there are two parts to us , body and soul. Having the spirit makes one into the image of God, a trinity. The apostles sit on 12 thrones of the earthly kingdom and are the foundation of the spiritual, having been eyewitnesses and testifying those truths to us so we can believe.

 

[percho]

Anthony, you of course likewise can hold to your own interpretation but the scriptures does not allow for the choosing of the apostles in Luke 6 to be the laying of the foundation. There is no support for that interpretation in Luke 6 or Mt 10 or anywhere else. We are plainly told what they were called to do in those chapters and it was not to be a foundation. Jesus Christ has not been officially rejected at this time and he was not preaching about his church, which certainly was, before creation, the purpose of God. But in Luke 6 it was a mystery and unrevealed and hidden in God.
Laying the cornerstone is not about the resurrection but about a burial in the ground. That is how he can build his church on the testimony of those apostles who later received the Holy Spirit into their bodies as the new birth, making them sons of God. But they did not receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost when the Spirit was poured out from heaven in such abundance that every one of Israel can drink him in. They received the Spirt when Jesus breathed on them late on resurrection day in the upper room when he breathed on them and gave them his own power of binding and loosing. At Pentecost they were said to be filled with the Spirit which is far different. A spirit filled saint is one who already has the Spirit but is in full cooperation of the Spirit's use of ones members to accomplish his purpose.

Jesus Christ came to his own, Judah, to present himself as the promised Messiah and King. He preached with these disciples during the whole course of his ministry and it was not until a few days before he was crucified that he ever taught anything about coming to die and rise again. Why is that? because a person must receive Christ in the heart as King, and in the case of gentiles, Lord, before they can be saved. The church, which is considered by God since 70 AD as a gentile church and prefigured by gentile women married to Jewish men in the OT, do not get justified for believing what those in the gospels were charged to believe, which is clearly articulated by John the apostle. This is what John said;

John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these (signs) are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

This is the gospel of the kingdom of heaven that was preached in the gospel accounts to Israel and her proselytes. They were confirmed by seven miraculous signs in John's gospel. Since the cross and resurrection, we believe, but verse 31 is not what we believe to be saved. Read the NT and see for yourself. First Corinthians 15 is a good place to start where the gospel of Jesus Christ is defined as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that with all my heart. He died for me. Eventually the Jews who believed what Jesus preached did receive the Holy Spirit and have life through his name but it was after he died and was buried and rose again. Meanwhile they were justified by believing what God said to them.

None in the gospel of John who believed that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God believed it when they were told that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

There are two parts of the kingdom, physical and spiritual, just like there are two parts to us , body and soul. Having the spirit makes one into the image of God, a trinity. The apostles sit on 12 thrones of the earthly kingdom and are the foundation of the spiritual, having been eyewitnesses and testifying those truths to us so we can believe.

In reality relative to Luke 6 they could not even be lively stones until the Holy Spirit [the Comforter] is available to them.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Acts 2:33 “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

 

[Anthony Pritchard]

Anthony, you of course likewise can hold to your own interpretation but the scriptures does not allow for the choosing of the apostles in Luke 6 to be the laying of the foundation. There is no support for that interpretation in Luke 6 or Mt 10 or anywhere else. We are plainly told what they were called to do in those chapters and it was not to be a foundation. Jesus Christ has not been officially rejected at this time and he was not preaching about his church, which certainly was, before creation, the purpose of God. But in Luke 6 it was a mystery and unrevealed and hidden in God.
Laying the cornerstone is not about the resurrection but about a burial in the ground. That is how he can build his church on the testimony of those apostles who later received the Holy Spirit into their bodies as the new birth, making them sons of God. But they did not receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost when the Spirit was poured out from heaven in such abundance that every one of Israel can drink him in. They received the Spirt when Jesus breathed on them late on resurrection day in the upper room when he breathed on them and gave them his own power of binding and loosing. At Pentecost they were said to be filled with the Spirit which is far different. A spirit filled saint is one who already has the Spirit but is in full cooperation of the Spirit's use of ones members to accomplish his purpose.

Jesus Christ came to his own, Judah, to present himself as the promised Messiah and King. He preached with these disciples during the whole course of his ministry and it was not until a few days before he was crucified that he ever taught anything about coming to die and rise again. Why is that? because a person must receive Christ in the heart as King, and in the case of gentiles, Lord, before they can be saved. The church, which is considered by God since 70 AD as a gentile church and prefigured by gentile women married to Jewish men in the OT, do not get justified for believing what those in the gospels were charged to believe, which is clearly articulated by John the apostle. This is what John said;

John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these (signs) are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

This is the gospel of the kingdom of heaven that was preached in the gospel accounts to Israel and her proselytes. They were confirmed by seven miraculous signs in John's gospel. Since the cross and resurrection, we believe, but verse 31 is not what we believe to be saved. Read the NT and see for yourself. First Corinthians 15 is a good place to start where the gospel of Jesus Christ is defined as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that with all my heart. He died for me. Eventually the Jews who believed what Jesus preached did receive the Holy Spirit and have life through his name but it was after he died and was buried and rose again. Meanwhile they were justified by believing what God said to them.

None in the gospel of John who believed that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God believed it when they were told that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

There are two parts of the kingdom, physical and spiritual, just like there are two parts to us , body and soul. Having the spirit makes one into the image of God, a trinity. The apostles sit on 12 thrones of the earthly kingdom and are the foundation of the spiritual, having been eyewitnesses and testifying those truths to us so we can believe.

JD, I understand the framework you are working from, but none of the points you raise actually overturn the textual sequence I presented. My argument is not built on a theological system, it is built on the passages themselves. So let me restate the ground I am standing on.

1. The cornerstone identity is established by Jesus Himself in His earthly ministry.

Matthew 21:42 is not a parable, not a symbol, not a future projection. It is Christs’ own application of Psalm 118:22 to His own person during His earthly ministry.

That establishes the cornerstone identity before the resurrection.

Your position requires that He cannot be the cornerstone until after burial and resurrection. Christ Jesus’ own words contradict that requirement.

2. Acts 4:11 is not the moment Christ “became” the cornerstone.

Peter is identifying the same rejected stone Jesus identified earlier. Acts 4 is a vindication of the rejected stone, not the creation of the cornerstone.

The resurrection vindicates the stone. It does not create the stone.

This is the textual sequence:

Cornerstone in prophecy (Psalm 118)
Cornerstone identified in ministry (Matthew 21)
Cornerstone vindicated in exaltation (Acts 4)

Your framework reverses that order. The text does not.

3. Psalm 2 concerns enthronement, not cornerstone identity. Psalm 2 is about royal declaration, “Thou art my Son.” Acts 13 applies it to resurrection as public confirmation, not as the moment Christ became the Son or became the cornerstone.

You are merging categories Scripture keeps distinct:

Begotten, enthronement declaration
Cornerstone, Messianic identity
Foundation, apostolic constitution
These are not the same act, and Scripture never treats them as the same act.

4. Luke 6 is the laying of the foundation stones.

You say Luke 6 cannot be foundation‑laying because the word “foundation” is not used there. But Ephesians 2:20 explicitly identifies the apostles as the foundation of the assembly Christ promised to build.

Luke 6:13 is the moment Christ constituted those men:

“He chose twelve… whom also He named apostles.” Constitution precedes empowerment. Foundation precedes filling. Pentecost empowers what Christ already formed.

Your position requires the foundation to be laid after the cornerstone is set. Scripture presents the cornerstone first, then the foundation, then the vindication.

5. Your kingdom‑framework does not change the textual sequence.

You are free to interpret the apostles as kingdom officers, or to divide the kingdom into physical and spiritual components, or to connect burial to cornerstone symbolism. But none of that changes the order Scripture actually gives.

Your system may require Christ to “become” the cornerstone at resurrection.

Scripture does not.

 

[Anthony Pritchard]

but the scriptures does not allow for the choosing of the apostles in Luke 6 to be the laying of the foundation.

JD, the issue is not whether Luke 6 uses the word “foundation.” The issue is whether Luke 6 describes the moment Christ forms an ekklesia, a called‑out, organized body under His authority.

And it does.

1. Luke 6 is the moment Christ forms an ekklesia.

“He called unto him his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.” Luke 6:13:

This is not a crowd. This is not a loose group of followers. This is a called‑out subset of disciples, constituted and named by Christ for authoritative function.

That is the literal definition of ekklesia, a called‑out, organized assembly.

You say Luke 6 cannot be foundation‑laying because the word “foundation” is not present. But the word ekklesia is not present in Matthew 21 either, yet you accept Christ’s cornerstone identification there.

Category determines function. Not vocabulary.

2. Ephesians 2:20 identifies the apostles as the foundation of the assembly Christ promised to build. Paul does not say the apostles became the foundation at Pentecost. He says they are the foundation.

Ephesians 2:20:

“Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets…”

If the apostles are the foundation, then the moment Christ constituted them is the moment the foundation stones were laid.

That moment is Luke 6.

3. Foundation‑laying always precedes empowerment. This is consistent with every biblical pattern:

Moses constituted the elders before the Spirit rested on them. David gathered the Levites before the Spirit empowered the worship. Solomon appointed the priests before the glory filled the Temple.

Constitution precedes filling. Foundation precedes empowerment. Pentecost empowers what Christ already formed.

4. Your objection requires the ekklesia not to exist until after Pentecost. But Jesus speaks of the ekklesia during His earthly ministry:

Matthew 18:17:

“Tell it unto the church.”

You cannot “tell it unto the church” if the church does not yet exist. Christ is giving discipline instructions to an already‑existing assembly.

That assembly was constituted in Luke 6.

5. Therefore, the foundation‑argument does not rest on Luke 6 using the word “foundation.”

It rests on:

Luke 6 constituting an ekklesia. Ephesians 2 identifying the apostles as the foundation. Matthew 18 assuming the ekklesia already exists. Pentecost empowering what Christ already built

Your objection is based on vocabulary. The textual argument is based on category.

The decisive point. If Luke 6 is the moment Christ forms an ekklesia, then Luke 6 is the moment the foundation stones are laid.

Ekklesia is the defining factor.

Not the presence or absence of the word “foundation.”

 

[Anthony Pritchard]

In reality relative to Luke 6 they could not even be lively stones until the Holy Spirit [the Comforter] is available to them.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Acts 2:33 “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

Percho, I agree entirely that the apostles could not be lively stones until the Spirit was given. But that is not the question.

The question is: When did Christ lay the foundation stones of the assembly He promised to build?

And foundation‑laying does not require the Comforter’s indwelling. It requires the Builder.

1. Christ Himself was present as the Builder.

You cite John 16:7 correctly , the Comforter would not come until Christ departed. But that does not mean Christ could not build until the Spirit came.

Christ is not waiting for the Spirit to begin building. Christ is the One who builds.

“I will build my church.” Matthew 16:18

The Spirit empowers. Christ builds.

During His earthly ministry, Christ Himself filled the role of:

Shepherd
Teacher
Master
Builder
Cornerstone

The Spirit continues His work after ascension, but Christ’s building work begins with Christ present, not with Christ absent.

2. Foundation‑laying is not the same as Spirit‑indwelling. Ephesians 2:20 identifies the apostles as the foundation of the assembly.

But Scripture never says:

“They became the foundation when the Spirit indwelt them,”

or

“They could not be foundation stones until Pentecost.”

Foundation‑laying is an act of appointment and constitution, not an act of indwelling. This is consistent with every biblical pattern.

3. Luke 6 is the moment of constitution.

“He called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.” Luke 6:13

Luke 6:13 is the moment Christ:

calls
selects
names
constitutes
and commissions

His church, His Ekklesia, which consisted of the men Ephesians 2:20 explicitly identifies as the foundation of the assembly He promised to build.

They did not need the Comforter to be appointed. They needed the Comforter to be empowered.

Foundation precedes filling.

4. Christ Himself was the present Comforter during His earthly ministry.

You are correct that the Spirit would not come until Christ departed. But that means Christ Himself was fulfilling the Comforter‑role during His earthly ministry.

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18

Christ had to depart before the Comforter would come because Christ Himself was filling the role of the Comforter during His earthly ministry.

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” John 16:7

This is not an inference. It is exactly what Jesus says.

Christ’s presence is the comfort.
Christ’s appointment is the foundation.
Christ’s ascension brings the Spirit’s empowerment.

5. Therefore, your point about the Spirit does not overturn the foundation‑sequence.

Christ present - foundation constituted (Luke 6)
Christ rejected - cornerstone identified (Matthew 21)
Christ risen - cornerstone vindicated (Acts 4)
Christ ascended - Spirit poured out (Acts 2)

The Spirit’s arrival empowers what Christ already built.

Pentecost does not begin the building. Pentecost empowers the building Christ already formed.

 

[kyredneck]

In reality relative to Luke 6 they could not even be lively stones until the Holy Spirit [the Comforter] is available to them.

BINGO!

1st Kings Chapter 6

7​	And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready at the quarry; and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.