Daily Bread – February 13, 2024 (The Third Day – Genesis 1:9-13) Ephesians 2:20 – …built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets – Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone. Both Jews and Gentiles are in one House (the Church) and this is the one the Lord has made without hands. It is the House of God in which Jesus is the “Cornerstone” (or “Keystone”) and the Head (Ephesians 1:22-23). As sojourners, the Gentiles were outside the house – a meaning upheld by the etymology of the Greek word for sojourner: ‘paroikos.’ It is very fitting to refer to Jesus as the Cornerstone in this passage which brings both Jews and Gentiles into equality and in need of the same blood of the New Covenant. As Peter points out in 1 Peter 2:6, He is the Cornerstone that is elect and precious. However, to those builders in Israel that reject Him, He is the Stone of Stumbling and the Rock of Offense. It also must be understood that a new foundation has been laid. The old foundation of the Law has been removed and that which belongs to the New Covenant cannot be built upon the Old Covenant (1 Corinthians 3:16). The new foundation of the Church is built upon Jesus Christ and the apostles and prophets. The apostles and prophets are two of the primary features of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:28). We may be certain Paul is not referring to revelation given in the Old Testament to the prophets or holy men of old, for in Ephesians 3:5, he points out how this is a new revelation that has now been given to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. Furthermore, Paul makes it clear how these apostles and prophets are new gifts which were given to the Church after Jesus ascended up on high (Ephesians 4:7-13). Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 2/13/2024
