This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.1
This was Peter, who earlier denied Jesus three times, yet after being filled with the Holy Spirit had the courage to boldly proclaim the truth before the religious leaders. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.2
After Jesus’ death, his Lordship was validated by his resurrection. For certain God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom they crucified.3 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.4 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise Holy Spirit, he has poured out the Spirit to his disciples.5
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.6 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.7
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.8
I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.9
And Jeus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”10
Notes:
1. Acts 4:11-12
2. Acts 4:13
3. Acts 2:36
4. Philippians 2:9-11
5. Acts 2:33
6. 1 Peter 2:4-5
7. 1 Timothy 2:5-6
8. 1 Peter 2:9-10
9. Psalm 16:2-4
10. Matthew 28:18-20
