CHRIST THE STUMBLING STONE

1 Peter 2:6-8

Is the Lord Jesus Christ a stumbling stone and a rock of offense to you? He is to many. Hear the Word of God. – “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 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, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." Christ crucified is the precious, foundation stone upon which all believers rest their souls, upon which all believers are built; but to you who believe not, the Lord Jesus Christ is a stumbling stone and a rock of offense. What is Christ to you?

There are many who do not believe the testimony of Scripture regarding the death of Christ. Rather than believing on the Son of God unto life everlasting, trusting him alone for redemption and righteousness, the vast majority of religious people in this world stumble over the gospel doctrine of limited atonement, effectual, accomplished redemption, and perish in their sins. They willingly trample the precious blood of Christ under their feet and despise the Spirit of grace (Heb. 10:29; 1 Pet. 2:6-8).

As he is revealed in Holy Scripture, the Lord Jesus Christ is to reprobate, unbelieving, self-righteous men a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and this is by divine arrangement. God has so written his Word that reprobate men will get tripped up by it and stumble over the Scriptures as stumbling stones to hell.

God has fixed it, so that those who are determined to cling to their own righteousness, who are determined not to submit themselves to the righteousness of God established by, revealed in, and found in Christ alone, will stumble over him and fall into hell. This is exactly what happened to those Jews described in Romans 9:31-33. Those very same Scriptures which, by the blessing of God the Holy Spirit, are as stair steps to God’s elect, are stumbling stones to the reprobate and unbelieving.

There are numerous texts of Scripture which are often pointed to, quoted, twisted, and perverted by dishonest blasphemers, by those who are confused by their teachings, to refute the blessed gospel doctrine of Limited Atonement.

Sometimes, when we try to teach people the gospel, explaining passages like John 3:16 and 1 John 2:2, they respond by saying, “‘All’ means all, ‘world’ means world, and ‘every’ means every. When the Bible uses the words ‘all’ and ‘every,’ it means everyone, every human being, without exception. When the Bible uses the word ‘world’ it means everyone, every human being without exception.” But that simply is not the case. And the fact that that is not the case is obvious to any one who cares to look. Let me give you one example.

Luke 2:1-3 "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed…And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city."

Obviously, the words “all,” “world,” and “every,” as they are used in this text refer to all within a specific, limited range, a specific group. They refer only to all the world and everyone in it, which was under Caesar’s dominion. They have absolutely no bearing upon or reference to you and me.

So, too, when those words are used in reference to the saving purpose of God the Father, the redemptive work of God the Son, and the blessed call of God the Holy Spirit, the words “all,” “every,” and “world” must be defined by the context in which they are found. It is utterly dishonest to tear them from their context and pervert them into a doctrine that blasphemes the triune God and would rob him of the glory of his grace.

Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For Today Radio Message #675

2734 Old Stanford Road - Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438

Donald S. Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net