Resources/Articles
Abolishing the Stumbling Block
That the apostles suffered persecution is without dispute. Peter and John were imprisoned (Acts 5) and repeatedly threatened. James was put to death (Acts 12). The apostle Paul was a prisoner (Acts 20). Others, such as Silas and Stephen, were persecuted and/or killed (Acts 7;16). Yet, all these were “faithful unto death” (Revelation 2.10). Have you ever given thought as to why persecution was directed toward them?
On the part of those who suffered persecution, it was a result of preaching salvation through Christ. One the part of those who did the persecuting, it was because salvation through Christ was preached. At first glance, you might say, “Well, it was the same reason for both.” I submit that such was not the case at all. The reason I know this is true is because not all who heard of salvation through Christ reacted by persecuting those who preached. In fact, many readily accepted the same message that others rejected. It was this difference in the reaction to the message (i.e., the gospel) that relates to the title of this article: “Abolish the Stumbling Block.”
Christ was prophesied to be a “stumbling block” and a “rock of offense” not in the sense that God intended for people to “stumble” over him or to be purposefully offended, and thereby eternally lost (1 Timothy 2.4), but in the sense that, in their rejection of him as a savior - as the only means of salvation (John 14.6; Acts 4.12), he would be the cause of stumbling and offense. It is here that a most important Bible truth be understood. There are many texts that relate to this, but one will suffice: 1 Peter 2.6-8. “For this is contained in Scripture: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believe sin him will not be disappointed.’ This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense;’ for they stumble because they are disobedient to the Word, and to this doom they were also appointed.”
Notice the phrase “disobedient to the Word.” This explains how Jesus would be a “rock of offense” and a “stone of stumbling” - his Word! This is a simple, yet most important truth that is missed, as it relates to why some react in disobedience to the Word, whereas others obey the same Word. The Word is what is disobeyed. This Word refers to Jesus’ teachings. This is crucial, because the Word is that which instructs man how to respond to God’s offer of salvation through Jesus. This Word also explains and reveals what sin is: Disobedience to God’s Word. Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s Word, and all who disobey God disobey his Word. Disobedience is what “stumbling” at the Word means.
Why do some “stumble” whereas others do not?
The apostle John explained why in John 15.18-25. Notice especially what is said in vv. 22,24. It relates to the Word and explains why some “stumble” and are “offended.” Jesus’ word (i.e., his teaching) brought an awareness and a conviction of sin, as well as its “wages” (Romans 6.23). To avoid these consequences, according to this Word, one must repent and acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God. However, to acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God means acknowledgement of God’s Word, which Jesus taught (John 12.48-50).
Those who didn’t want to acknowledge this Word (which made them aware of their sins) persecuted Jesus. In John 15, Jesus informed those who were commissioned to preach this same message that they would also receive precaution for the same reasons. Jesus had told Nicodemus in John 3.19-21, “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
This explains why some react with persecution. Their “stumbling” is their disobedience to the Word. The Word is the “stumbling block.” The abolishing of the stumbling block can be done in one of two ways. One way is by persecuting the teacher of the Word because of hatred of the Word that convicts people of sin. Another way to “abolish” the stumbling block is to accept the Word by obeying it. It is a simple concept. If “stumbling” is by disobedience to the Word, the the “stumbling” is removed by obedience to the Word. The response to the Word reveals the nature of the heart. A good heart obeys. An evil heart disobeys (1 Peter 1.22-23).
Our attitudes toward God’s Word reveals our hearts. Attitudes govern actions. If you consider yourself “born again,” it was by the message that Christ and the apostles delivered. If you believed the message, you obeyed something that the message commanded. If you were “born again” apart from obedience, then the message was not what Christ and the apostles delivered. The apostle Paul said, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6.17-18).
