The word Church means "called out ones."
The first time the Church is mentioned in Scripture is in Matt. 16:18. Here it is the "house of God" with Christ as the builder. (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4,5.) The "Rock" upon which it is built is Christ. (1 Cor. 10:4.)
When man builds, he has the warning as to bad material and its consequent judgment. (1 Cor. 3:9-17.)
Peter does not get the keys of the Church, nor of heaven, but of "the kingdom of heaven." Thus Peter uses these keys to open the door of grace in the gospel to the Jews in Acts 2, and to the Gentiles in Acts 10. This, Peter refers to in respect of the Gentiles in Acts 15:7.
To be a "living stone," one must be born again, as Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:23. In Peter's second epistle, he shows the coming judgment upon those who are in the house; but not having life, they fall into corruption and are judged with the world.
The Christian is exhorted to have Christ as his pattern, as one in the house of God. (1 Tim. 3:15.)
May we be exercised to show the true character of God as His children!
ON CHRIST salvation rests secure;
The Rock of Ages must endure;
Nor can that faith be overthrown
Which rests upon the "Living Stone."
No other hope shall intervene:
To Him we look, on Him we lean:
Other foundations we disown,
And build on Christ, the "Living Stone."
In Him, it is ordained to raise
A temple to Jehovah's praise,
Composed of all the saints, who own
No Savior but the "Living Stone."
View the vast building, see it rise;
The work how great! the plan how wise!
O wondrous fabric! power unknown!
That rears it on the "Living Stone."
But most adore His precious Name;
His glory and His grace proclaim:
For us, condemned, despised, undone,
He gave Himself, the "Living Stone."