1 Peter 2:4-8 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. For it stands in Scripture:
"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,"
and
"A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense."
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written,
"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
- [B]y him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth...all things were created by him, and for him. Colossians 1:16
- All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. John 1:3
- Jesus said, "Fear not; I am the first and the last:" Revelation 1:17
- Jesus...said..."Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." Mark 2:5 --> and only God can forgive sins
- And Thomas answered and said unto [Jesus], My Lord and my God. John 20:28
- Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. John 8:58
- And the clincher: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...All things were made by him...He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us John 1:1, 3, 10, 14