The title "Living Stone" ascribed to Jesus Christ is a profound metaphor that encapsulates His role as the foundation of the Church and His enduring, life-giving presence. This title is primarily derived from the New Testament, where it is used to illustrate the spiritual and eternal nature of Christ's work and His relationship with believers.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural reference for Jesus as the "Living Stone" is found in 1 Peter 2:4-5 : "As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

In this passage, the Apostle Peter draws on Old Testament imagery, particularly from Isaiah 28:16 and Psalm 118:22, to present Jesus as the cornerstone of a new spiritual edifice. The metaphor of the "Living Stone" emphasizes both the rejection and the exaltation of Christ. Though He was "rejected by men," He remains "chosen and precious in God’s sight," underscoring His divine approval and essential role in God's redemptive plan.

Theological Significance

1. Foundation of the Church: As the "Living Stone," Jesus is the cornerstone upon which the Church is built. This foundational role is crucial, as it signifies that all believers are united in Him, forming a spiritual house. The Church's stability and growth depend on this cornerstone, which is both living and life-giving.

2. Rejection and Vindication: The title also reflects the paradox of Christ's earthly ministry. Despite being rejected by the religious leaders and many of His contemporaries, Jesus was chosen by God to be the cornerstone of salvation. This rejection and subsequent vindication highlight the fulfillment of prophecy and God's sovereign plan.

3. Life-Giving Presence: The adjective "living" signifies that Jesus is not a static or inert foundation but one that imparts life to those who are built upon Him. Believers, described as "living stones," draw their spiritual vitality from their connection to Christ, the source of eternal life.

4. Priestly Role of Believers: The passage in 1 Peter also connects the concept of the "Living Stone" to the priesthood of all believers. As they are built into a spiritual house, they are called to offer "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." This priestly function is made possible through their union with the Living Stone, who mediates their relationship with God.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The imagery of the stone is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. Isaiah 28:16 prophesies, "So this is what the Lord GOD says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.'" This prophecy anticipates the coming of Christ as the cornerstone, a theme reiterated in the New Testament.

Psalm 118:22 further foreshadows this role: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This verse, quoted by Jesus Himself in the Gospels, underscores the divine reversal where the rejected stone becomes the most crucial element of God's salvific structure.

Conclusion

The title "Living Stone" richly conveys the multifaceted role of Jesus Christ in the life of the Church and individual believers. It affirms His position as the essential foundation, the source of spiritual life, and the fulfillment of prophetic expectation. Through this title, believers are reminded of their own identity and purpose as they are built into a spiritual house, united in Christ, the Living Stone.1 Peter 2:4
To whom coming, as to a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
Nave's Topical Index

On the Clause, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, with a Reading from ...
... Saviour; lest, therefore, His manifold appellations should make ... Christ: for though
the titles are many ... is called by two names, Jesus Christ; Jesus, because He ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture x on the clause.htm

Introduction
... thousands, of the loose-living members whose names are now ... by the grace of God through
the work of Jesus Christ. ... The "Law of Christ", then, is just the moral ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/introduction.htm

The Fifth Theological Oration.
... and little that He is declared by Jesus, as you ... the abundance of the titles, and
how many Names they outrage ... the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, the Mind ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/the fifth theological oration.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... There are also many other things which Jesus did, the ... itself could not contain the
fulness of Christ's teaching about ... seek to glory in it by the names we employ ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... As for those whose names I mention, their crimes or ... they profess to know and love;
for Jesus Christ's sake. ... in England is to swear by God, Christ, faith, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

Questions about Jesus Christ (All) | GotQuestions.org

How many prophecies did Jesus fulfill? | GotQuestions.org

Is the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Jesus: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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