How Cornerstone Christians Built The Church, Branching Out From Jerusalem, Antioch And Beyond

How did the Christian Church turn into the colossal force that it is in the world today?

Stone by stone with the help of the head cornerstone.

"Down to the roots of the one called King David" - Damian Marley in Love and Unity

By relaying the undeniably true teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, spreading His Gospel and by being emboldened by the Holy Spirit that guided the work of the cornerstone Christians.

1 Peter 2:4-9

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 cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believes 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.

Here is the definition of "cornerstone:"

• A stone at the corner of a building uniting two intersecting walls.

• Such a stone, often inscribed, laid at a ceremony marking the origin of a building.

• An indispensable and fundamental basis.

The Gospel of Peace, initiated by Jesus. built and united the Jewish chosen people and Christians under one God.

Whereas there was no hope other than the Lord God of Israel. Now, Jesus came preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins, shedding His own blood for the remission and unifying Jews and Gentiles: being the one true God of all.

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient, where unto 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 marvelous light:

Who are cornerstone Christians?

I'm speaking of the founders, upon who the Holy Spirit first fell with fire and ferocious courage to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They were emboldened by the fiery Spirit, and went about preaching in all tongues, in the midst of the Jewish leaders, high priests, haters, false witnesses and elders responsible for His crucifixion.

The emboldened disciples had seen Christ after He had risen from the dead.

He gave them the Great Commission to spread the Gospel. And, that is what they did, to the detriment of detractors and anyone who tried to stop the growth of God's church.

They joined to the Christian faith an amazing number of people in a matter of days, weeks and months.

The Holy Spirit promised by Jesus anointed the disciples on the day of Pentecost. And from that day on, there was no turning back. They boldly preached the Gospel, baptized believers and grew even bolder by the day.

The men who built the Church from the stone that the builders refused were rock-solid in their faith to the point of facing down death by stoning without a second thought.

These men were strong, not in muscle, but with inner strength, fortitude and determination to never give up.

They were bold as a lion: apostles, elders and bishops who spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, first in Jerusalem, then moving on to cities like Antioch, Syria, and to countries like Greece, Rome, places in between and abroad.

Antioch is where early Christians were first called Christians. And their movement spread around the globe, with the help of the Holy Ghost, and will never be stopped: not until Kingdom come when there will be no need to spread the Gospel because Jesus will have weeded out those who believe and those who do not.

He ascended into Heaven and left us Christians with a Commission. And He will be back, before you know it, as if he never left.

The Lord will never leave you, though he be unseen in the physical manifestation of Jesus Christ. Be strong and of good courage. The Lord will be back, soon, with a crown of life for those who fought the good fight and remained steadfast in the faith.