SO THEN YOU ARE NO LONGER STRANGERS AND ALIENS: ara oun ouketi este (2PPAI) xenoi kai paroikoi:

Dear believing Gentile, who was once so far off from God and without hope, take a moment to read this verse and make a simple list of the overwhelming new privileges that are now yours by virtue of Christ's work on the Cross and your eternal position in Christ! Then perhaps you might fall to your knees and offer a "sacrifice of praise" to God, that is, the fruit of your lips that give thanks to His name for so great a salvation.

So (686) and then (oun) are terms of conclusion. In light of all this, because all hostility and enmity (between believing Jew and Gentile and between them both and God) are eradicated. Having explained how they got from far to near, Paul sums this section up in the last four verses reminding the Gentiles of what they were and now what they have.

Paul now sums up the Gentile's new position in Christ with metaphors - the  a "country" (kingdom of God), a house, a household or a family (family of God) and a holy temple where God Himself tabernacles or dwells. "Foundation" and "corner stone" are also vivid metaphors in this section.

No longer (3765) (ouketi from ouk = not -- signifies absolute negation + eti = yet, still) is a negative adverb of time indicating a complete and permanent change.

Strangers (3581) (xenos source of English words like "xenophobia" = fear of strangers) describes one who is not a member of a state or city, is used here in a general sense of foreign to a thing, having no share in it. They are without full rights and privileges of citizenship.

As Johnson puts it...

They have come from strangers to fellow citizens. In other words, they have the civil franchise in the Kingdom of God. They have come from being foreigners, they have come to be members of the household. They have the domestic franchise. No more strangers and sojourners but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.... In Romans 11 (see notes Romans 11:17ff) that the Apostle gives the parable of the olive tree, in which he describes the olive tree as the Abrahamic promises, essentially, he describes the cutting off of the natural branches (the children of Israel, the Nation Israel), the grafting in of the unnatural branches into the olive tree – contrary to nature, he says. And he says that when they are grafted in, these Gentiles, they are partakers of the root and fatness of the olive tree, so that they are grafted in among those Jewish believers and partake of the Abrahamic promises. That’s so plain, that it’s amazing to me that some believe that the church does not inherit Abrahamic promises. Well, the church does inherit Abrahamic promises. The Apostle puts it as plainly as it possibly can be put. They do inherit those promises, as Gentiles. That’s what he means here when he says “now therefore, you are no longer strangers and sojourners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God.” (pdf)

In the present context xenos speaks of that which is of a different quality or nature than something else, thus, a stranger to it. Sinners are strangers to the kingdom of God, having a totally-depraved nature that makes them different, and different in a hostile sense. Gentiles who were once spiritually "homeless" and "country-less", without any share in or access to the Messianic promises in the Covenants, now are in Christ.

Barnes writes that...

Strangers, and such as proposed to reside for a short time in Athens, were permitted to reside in the city, and to pursue their business undisturbed, but they could perform no public duty; they had no voice in the public deliberations, and they had no part in the management of the state. They could only look on as spectators, without mingling in the scenes of state, or interfering in any way in the affairs of the government. They were bound humbly to submit to all the enactments of the citizens, and observe all the laws and usages of the republic. It was not even allowed them to transact any business in their own name, but they were bound to choose from among the citizens one to whose care they committed themselves as a patron, and whose duty it was to guard them against all injustice and wrong. Potter's Gr. Ant. 1, 55. Proselytes, who united themselves to the Jews, were also called, in the Jewish writings, strangers. All foreigners were regarded as "strangers," and Jews only were supposed to have near access to God. But now, says the apostle, this distinction is taken away, and the believing heathen, as well as the Jew, has the right of citizenship in the New Jerusalem, and one, as well as another, is a member of the family of God. (Albert Barnes. Barnes NT Commentary)

Aliens (2941) (paroikos from para = beside + oikeo = to make one's home) means literally  to have a home near.  Paroikos speaks of one who has a home alongside of someone else or who is living alongside. It is used here of one who comes from another country or city and settles in another, but does not rank as a citizen. It describes sojourners dwelling nearby, but not in the family of God. This is no longer their state.

The paroikos was "a licensed sojourner in a town whose protection and status were secured by the payment of a small tax" (MM, p. 496; cf. TDNT, 5:583). He had no intrinsic rights, however. Such had been the position of the Gentiles in relation to the kingdom of God before the coming of Christ.

Never again will the Gentile believers be aliens, dogs, uncircumcision, outsiders and with no spiritual disadvantages compared to Jewish believers. All now meet at the same place - the foot of the almighty Cross of Christ - the place where grace now flows freely and bountifully to all who believe!

BUT YOU ARE FELLOW CITIZENS WITH THE SAINTS: alla este (2PPAI) sumpolitai ton hagion: (Eph 3:6; Galatians 3:26-28; 4:26-31; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 12:22-24; Revelation 21:12-26)

Fellow citizens (4847) (sumpolites from sún = together with + polítes = a citizen from polis = city) describes Gentile Christians. A polites was an inhabitant of a city, who had the right of citizenship and could act as a freeman (now think of this secular definition in terms of the spiritual context Paul intends!)

Gentiles have been supernaturally granted "naturalization" as citizens in the Kingdom of Heaven! Does you life and lifestyle reflect your true eternal citizenship in heaven or are you living like you belong to this present evil age which is opposed to the true and living God? (read James 4:4)

Paul explains that now as believers...

our citizenship (politeuma derived from polites = citizen) is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait (wait in great anticipation but with patience, awaiting expectantly for some future event) for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ  who will transform (outward change of one's external form or appearance) the body of our humble state into conformity (denotes inward, not merely superficial conformity) with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. (See notes Philippians 3:20; 3:21) (Comment: This figure would have been particularly appreciated by the Philippians who were colonists living away from Rome, though citizens of Rome. Similarly, Christians live away from the place of their citizenship, heaven.)

Saints (40) (hagios) means set apart ones. Hagios is now their position in Christ. They are set apart from the secular and profane and dedicated to the worship and service of God.

AND ARE OF GOD'S HOUSEHOLD: kai oikeioi tou theou:  (Eph 3:15; Matthew 10:25; Galatians 6:10; 1 John 3:1) 

Household (3609) (oikeios from oíkos = a house or household) means of the household or belonging to a certain household. When used of persons it means "of one's family," thus strictly of kinsmen. It refers to all members regardless of social or personal position. Here the term is used of one belonging to the Church which is the household of God and speaks of  the fellowship enjoyed by God’s family. It is a picture of one who has been adopted into His family (His "household").

Blaikie writes that God's household refers to...

A nearer relation to God and a higher privilege is denoted here. You are not guests or occasional visitors, but permanent dwellers in the house and members of the family. Compare the Queen of Sheba’s words to Solomon (1 Kings 10:8  "How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom.").  (The Pulpit Commentary: Ephesians)

MacArthur draws a practical conclusion...

If believers have no distinctions before God, they should have no distinctions among themselves. We are fellow citizens and fellow family members, equal in every spiritual way before God. If God accepts each one of us, how can we not accept each other? (MacArthur, J: Ephesians. Chicago: Moody Press)

Wayne Barber writes that ...

The word household can be translated family. Isn’t that wonderful? Think of our country and how the family system and structure has been totally ripped apart. A person grows up with step-parents or whatever else. Usually the people who are most effected are the children. They desperately need to hear that somebody loves them. God is screaming at them through the Scriptures and saying,

I love you. I love you. I love you. I want you to be a part of My family.

As a matter of fact, He not only births us into the family, as we know from John, but He also adopts us into His family. Both give us a picture of what He has done for us. By adoption He made us secure. Roman law says that if you adopted someone, you could never disown them. If you are worried about your eternal security, folks, you have been birthed into the family. You are eternally secure in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are a part of His family. Now, as citizens we have new responsibilities. As family members, we have a brand new relationship. Wherever you go, you find brothers and sisters in Christ. The third metaphor he uses here is that we are stones in His Temple. Now he doesn’t use the word "stones," we borrowed that from Simon Peter in his first epistle (see  notes on "living stones" 1 Peter 2:5). He implies stones, because you don’t have a Temple without stones. He says we are in the Temple of God; we are the Holy Temple of God in which He dwells on this earth.

That is where we stopped last time, looking at this Holy Temple that we are becoming, that God is making us. The foundation to this Temple in verse 20 is the doctrine given to us by the apostles and prophets. Of course, 1Cor 3:11 says that Jesus is the foundation. When he names the apostles and prophets as the foundation, certainly he is pointing to their doctrine (Ed note: Their writings that compose the NT). They laid the foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have it in written form today as the New Testament. He said in verse 20,

having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets.

Then we saw the cornerstone, which is Jesus. In their culture, the cornerstone was more important than the foundation. Now that is interesting. In our culture, it is a little bit different. We don’t always have a cornerstone in every building. In their culture, the cornerstone moves it up a notch, pointing to how important Jesus Christ is to all that is going on in our life. The whole structure rests upon the cornerstone, the whole structure depends upon the cornerstone. He is our cornerstone. We would not even be in the building if it weren’t for Him. He was the first stone that was laid, and everything that happens depends upon Him. Now that is the key.  (Ephesians 2:19-22 We Are the Temple of God - 1)

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Our Daily Bread - Part Of The Family...

Every few years my family holds a reunion at a park near Lake Michigan. We don't see one another very often, so we're always amazed at how much the grandchildren have grown or how much the children look like their parents. I look forward to the picnic because I'm reminded that I'm part of a family.

Everyone who has trusted Jesus Christ as Savior belongs to God's family. The apostle Paul said that we are all "members of the household of God" (Eph. 2:19). We are part of a family that is made up of all believers in Christ.

Members of a loving family should be honest about their concerns for one another. They can ask about how specific problems or struggles are being handled, and they can confront difficult issues.

As believers in Christ, we are to be concerned about other members in the family of God. Sometimes the path to spiritual growth can get pretty rough. So we need to encourage fellow Christians to turn from their sin and live for the Lord. The purpose is always to produce a harmonious family of believers who are doing the work of God and building one another up. (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

What a privilege to be a part of the family of God! --D C Egner

We show our love for God when we love His family.

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In Morning and Evening Spurgeon writes...

Fellow citizens with the saints.” — Ephesians 2:19 What is meant by our being citizens in heaven? It means that we are under heaven’s government. Christ the king of heaven reigns in our hearts; our daily prayer is, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The proclamations issued from the throne of glory are freely received by us: the decrees of the Great King we cheerfully obey. Then as citizens of the New Jerusalem, we share heaven’s honours. The glory which belongs to beatified saints belongs to us, for we are already sons of God, already princes of the blood imperial; already we wear the spotless robe of Jesus’ righteousness; already we have angels for our servitors, saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our Father, and a crown of immortality for our reward. We share the honours of citizenship, for we have come to the general assembly and Church of the first-born whose names are written in heaven. As citizens, we have common rights to all the property of heaven. Ours are its gates of pearl and walls of chrysolite; ours the azure light of the city that needs no candle nor light of the sun; ours the river of the water of life, and the twelve manner of fruits which grow on the trees planted on the banks thereof; there is nought in heaven that belongeth not to us. “Things present, or things to come,” all are ours. Also as citizens of heaven we enjoy its delights. Do they there rejoice over sinners that repent—prodigals that have returned? So do we. Do they chant the glories of triumphant grace? We do the same. Do they cast their crowns at Jesus’ feet? Such honours as we have we cast there too. Are they charmed with his smile? It is not less sweet to us who dwell below. Do they look forward, waiting for his second advent? We also look and long for his appearing. If, then, we are thus citizens of heaven, let our walk and actions be consistent with our high dignity.

HAVING BEEN BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS: epoikodomethentes (AAPMPN) epi to themelio ton apostolon kai propheton: (4:12; 1 Peter 2:4,5)  (4:11-13; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11; 12:28; Galatians 2:9; Revelation 21:14) 

Built (2026) (epoikodomeo from epí = upon + oikodoméo = build) means to build upon or erect a superstructure. Paul changes the metaphor from a household (or family) to a spiritual temple as he explains the unifying character of the church.

The aorist tense speaks of a past completed action. However note in the next two verses "being fitted together" (see note Ephesians 2:21) and "being built together" (see note Ephesians 2:22) are both in the present tense indicating that although the foundation has been laid securely and irrevocably, God is still in the process of fitting and building believers into His holy Temple, His dwelling place. The passive voice indicates that God's Spirit is the One Who is active, His power being the force that enables the building of the household.

There is a famous story from Sparta. A Spartan king boasted to a visiting monarch about the walls of Sparta. The visiting monarch looked around and could see no walls. He said to the Spartan king, "Where are these walls about which you boast so much?" His host pointed at his bodyguard of magnificent troops. "These," he said, "are the walls of Sparta, every man a brick." The point is clear. So long as a brick lies by itself it is useless; it becomes of use only when it is incorporated into a building. So it is with the individual Christian. To realize his destiny he must not remain alone, but must be built into the fabric of the Church.

Foundation (2310) (themelios from théma = that which is laid down in turn from títhemi = to place) means something put down, that on which a structure is built or a stone used in the construction of a foundation.

In First Corinthians Paul explained that...

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it for no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1Cor 3:10-11)

The foundation of the apostles and prophets - describes those of the NT era, first century AD. He does not mean the OT prophets for they knew nothing of the NT Church, the building that Paul is describing in this passage. Note carefully that although apostles and prophets are "foundational", they are not the ultimate foundation, which is Christ Himself.

John MacArthur explains foundation of the apostles and prophets writing that...

Because the Greek genitive case appears to be used in the subjective sense, signifying the originating agency, the meaning is not that the apostles and prophets were themselves the foundation—though in a certain sense they were—but that they laid the foundation. Paul spoke of himself as “a wise master builder” who “laid a foundation” and went on to say, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:10-11; cf. notes Romans 15:20). (MacArthur, J: Ephesians. Chicago: Moody Press)

Apostles (652) (apostolos from apo = from + stello = send forth) means one sent forth from by another, often with a special commission to represent another and to accomplish his work. It can be a delegate, commissioner, ambassador sent out on a mission or orders or commission and with the authority of the one who sent him.

Prophets (4396) (prophetes from  pró = before or forth + phemí = tell) refers in the present context to those who speak under divine influence and inspiration foretelling future events or exhorting, reproving, and admonishing  individuals or nations as the ambassador of God and the interpreter of His will to men. The prophets speak not their own thought but what they received from God, retaining, however, their own consciousness and self–possession (cf notes 2 Peter 1:21)

Paul helps us understand that he is not referring to Old Testament prophets explaining in Ephesians 4 that Christ...

gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ (See notes Ephesians 4:11; 4:12)

Vincent has a note on NT prophets writing that this refers not so much to the...

foretelling of the future. Quite probably very little of this element is contemplated; but utterance under immediate divine inspiration: delivering inspired exhortations, instructions, or warnings.

CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF BEING THE CORNER STONE: ontos (PAPMSG) akrogoniaiou autou Christou Iesou:  (Psalms 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10,11; Luke 20:17,18; Acts 4:11,12; 1 Peter 2:7,8) 

Christ Jesus Himself being the Corner Stone a metaphor which Paul states clearly symbolizes Christ.

This picture of Christ as a Stone or Rock is intimately woven by the Spirit throughout both the Old and New Testaments and makes for a fascinating and encouraging study

Suggestion: This study would make an edifying series in a Sunday School class and would be very enlightening to those who are not that familiar with the Old Testament. Remember to carefully observe the context to arrive at the most accurate interpretation, interrogating each each "base" verse with questions such as... When does this take place? Where does this take place? What are the circumstances surrounding the use of this metaphor? Who are the "cast of characters"? Who used the name Rock? What attributes do you discover about the Rock or Stone? How should we apply this truth to our life today -- not Can we? - it is God's Word of Truth and it is ALWAYS applicable to our life. The more relevant question is "Will we allow the Spirit to speak the Word of Truth to our innermost being and respond with unhesitating obedience"?)...here are the Scriptures...

Genesis 49:24 > Exodus 17:6 > Exodus 33:21 > Numbers 20:11 > Deut 32:4 > 2Samuel 23:3 > Psalm 18:2 > Psalm 18:31 > Psalm 18:46 > Psalm 19:14 > Psalm 27:5 > Psalm 28:1 > Psalm 31:2-3 > Psalm 40:2 > Psalm 42:9  > Psalm 61:2 >Psalm  >Psalm 62:2 >Psalm 62:6-7  >Psalm 71:3  >Psalm 78:16 > Psalm 78:20 > Psalm 78:35 > Psalm 81:16 > Psalm 89:26 > Psalm 92:15 > Psalm 94:22 >Psalm 95:1 >Psalm 105:41 >Psalm 114:8 >Psalm 118:22 >Psalm 144:1 >Isaiah 8:14  > Isaiah 17:10 > Isaiah 26:4 >Isaiah 28:16 >Isaiah 30:29 >Isaiah 32:2 >Isaiah 33:16 >Isaiah 44:8 >Isaiah 48:21 >Isaiah 51:1 > Da 2:34 > Da 2:35, 44-46 > Hab 1:12 > Zech 4:7 > Mt 7:24,25> Mt 16:18 >Mt 21:42 >Mk 12:10 >Luke 20:17 > Acts 4:11 >Ro 9:32-33 > Acts 4:11 >1Cor 1:23>1Cor 10:4 >Ephesians 2:20 >1Pe 2:4-8 (Suggestion: Download InstaVerse which makes this study a breeze - see description below) (Which book of the Bible has the most allusions to Rock? Why might that be the case?)

Being (1510) (eimi) means being or existence.

Corner stone (204) (akrogoniaios from ákron = extreme + gonía = corner) refers to the stone that supports the main weight of a structure and figuratively is Christ Who unites Jews and Gentiles into one body and Who sustains whole structure of the church. 

The corner stone of a building had to be strong enough to support what was built on it, and it had to be precisely laid, because every other part of the structure was oriented to it. The cornerstone thus functioned as the supporting stone, the stone that oriented all other stone, and the stone that unified of the entire building. Jesus Christ perfectly fulfills each of these roles in God’s building, the new man, the body of Christ, the Church.

Expositor's Bible Commentary adds that...

The word akrogoniaios ("cornerstone") literally means "at the tip of the angle." It refers to the capstone or binding stone that holds the whole structure together (TDNT, 1:792). It covered a right angle joining two walls, as Sir Henry Layard found, for example, when excavating Nineveh. Often the royal name was inscribed on it. In the East it was considered to be even more important than the foundation. (Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary 6-Volume New Testament. Zondervan Publishing)

Blaikie has this note on the corner stone writing that...

the stone which, being placed in the corner, determined the lines of the whole building. The idea of foundation is that of support; the idea of the chief corner-stone is that of regulation, pattern-hood, producing assimilation. Jesus is not only the Origin, Foundation, Support of the Church, but he gives it its shape and form, he determines the place and the office of each stone, he gives life and character to each member. (The Pulpit Commentary: Ephesians)

Barnes has the following note on cornerstone writing that...

The corner-stone is the most important in the building.  (1.) Because the edifice rests mainly on the corner-stones. If they are small, and unstable, and settle down, the whole building is insecure; and hence care is taken to place a large stone firmly at each corner of an edifice.  (2.) Because it occupies a conspicuous and honourable place. If documents or valuable articles are deposited at the foundation of a building it is within the corner-stone. The Lord Jesus is called the "corner-stone," because the whole edifice rests on him, or he occupies a place relatively as important as the corner-stone of an edifice. Were it not for him the edifice could not be sustained for a moment. Neither prophets nor apostles alone could sustain it. See [1Co 3:11]. (Albert Barnes. Barnes NT Commentary)

Christ Jesus, the Messiah, is the Corner Stone about which the Old Testament repeatedly prophesied...

Psalms 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone. (Comment: The question is whether the cornerstone of Scripture is a foundation stone or a stone which crowns the building. Isaiah 28:16 seems to refer to the former and Ps 118:22 [rosh pinnah - rosh means head, top, uppermost height of an object] to the latter. It is somewhat ironic that verses from Psalm 118 were sung by the Jewish multitude as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey on "Psalm Sunday", see Mt 21:9! This psalm clearly predicts the "Jewish builders" rejection of their "Stone", the Messiah, this rejection culminating in their cries "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Luke 23:21)

Isaiah 8:13 "It is the LORD of hosts Whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread. 14 "Then He shall become a sanctuary; But to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over (Paul wrote "we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block [skandalon - see note] " 1Cor 1:23), and a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone (pinnah) for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes (aman - basic root idea is firmness or certainty. Faith is not a blind leap into the dark but a confident commitment to the One about Whom abundant evidence bears ample testimony of His eternal, immutable trustworthiness) in it will not be disturbed (agitated, LXX = kataischuno = caused to be much ashamed, disgraced, dishonored, also conveys the sense of disappointed).

Jesus after telling the Jewish chief priests and elders of the Jewish people the parable of the Vineyard, then quoted from Psalm 118:22-23 explaining that the Stone rejected by the Jewish builders was chosen of God as the Head of the corner. Matthew records our Lord's words...

Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED (speaks of His rejection by the Jews and His crucifixion fulfilling the OT prophecy), THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone (anticipates His resurrection and exaltation); THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'? (Matthew 21:42 quoting Psalm 118:22-23) (Comment:  In the context of the preceding parable Jesus' quotation might seem irrelevant at first glance. However if one remembers that it is taken from a Messianic psalm, it becomes clear that Jesus cited it to suggest to the Jewish chief priests and elders that the Son who was killed and thrown out of the vineyard was also “the chief cornerstone” in God’s redemptive plan! It is also interesting to ponder that although in modern parlance the CORNERSTONE is placed at the foundation of a building, in ancient Israel the CAPSTONE was placed at the very top - a true ''HEAD'' STONE. Jesus is the STONE that serves as both the alignment and the completion of our lives, the Author and Perfecter, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega!)

Paul in explaining God's sovereign plan for salvation of the Gentiles quotes in part from Isaiah 8:13-14 and Isaiah 28:16 writing...

What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 just as it is written, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (See notes Romans 9:30;  9:31; 9:32; 9:33) (Comment:  Israel's rejection of their Messiah resulted in God setting Israel aside for a time and turning to the Gentiles.)

Peter filled with (controlled by) the Holy Spirit when asked by the Jewish priests, rulers and elders by what power or in what name was he preaching unabashedly, boldly declared...

"He (Christ the Messiah) is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you (the Jewish priests and leader), THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone. And there is salvation in no one else (absolute negation); for there is no other Name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:11,12)

Peter reiterated this important truth about Christ Jesus the Corner Stone in his first epistle explaining to his readers...