by R. L. Morrison

Some seven hundred years before Christ came, Isaiah foretold that he would be for "a sanctuary; a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" (Isa. 8:14). In his first letter to Corinth, Paul wrote, "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness" (1 Cor. 1:23). Thus was the prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled in the very beginning of the gospel age. But human nature changes little with passing time. Christ is yet a stumbling block and foolishness to many people today.

Why should this be so? Did not God provide a perfect sacrifice in the blood of Christ for the sins of man? Does He not reveal a perfect law of liberty for men in the gospel? Most assuredly He does! The cause of stumbling is not God's love for man and His way of redemption. It is man's own attitude toward what God has done and what He requires of man to be saved.

Consider the Jews of Jesus' day. "He came unto his own and his own received him not" (John 1:11). He came declaring the Truth, and proved it by the great miracles he performed. But the religious leaders of Israel rejected him. They could not deny his miraculous works or refute his teaching. Therefore, they caused him to be put to death. Their attitude was wrong. The Son of God was a rock of offense and a stone of stumbling to them.

The conditions which exist in the religious world today suggest that Jesus Christ is yet a stumbling stone and a rock of offense. And for the same reasons: the attitude of men toward him and his word.

The New Testament teaches that Christ died to save sinners (1 Cor. 15:3). Some today are offended at this. Some people reject the idea that one should die for others, or object to the necessity of a blood sacrifice. Others even object to the idea of sin, and that all have sinned. So the basic principle of the redemption God offers to sinners becomes a rock of offense, a stumbling stone. When one rejects Christ as the Savior, who died for sinful man, by whose blood we can be made free from sin, there is no other to whom he can go. If such a one does not change his attitude, he will die in his sins.

As Christ is our Redeemer and Lord, he has the right to demand obedience to his will. His will, the New Testament, gives all sinners a plan, or a way to receive forgiveness of sins. In Acts 2, after the apostles had preached the gospel to a multitude of people, some believed what they heard. They realized they were guilty of sin and cried out: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:37-38). About 3000 people gladly received the word of the Lord, and were baptized. But Peter's reply is a stone of stumbling to many today. This is seen in the questions people ask: "Does one have to be baptized to be saved?" "Does water wash away sin?" "Isn't one saved by faith in Christ and then baptized as a sign of forgiveness?" Please read again the question they asked and Peter's reply! Three thousand people heard both question and answer, and did not fail to understand. They repented and were baptized, gladly hearing, saving themselves by so doing. Do not allow the contrary doctrines of men to make these commands of the Lord a stumbling block to you.

Again, Paul taught that salvation is "IN CHRIST" (2 Tim. 2:10). Now there are two passages of scripture in the New Testament which tell us how to get "into Christ": "Know ye not so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" (Rom. 6:3). "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27). These scriptures are a stumbling block to the majority of religious people today, not because they are difficult to understand, but because most man made doctrines, which guide man made churches, do not teach salvation in Christ. Most teach that baptism does not save and that faith alone, or faith only, does save! God's word becomes a rock of offense to those who reject it!

The New Testament teaches that Christ is the head of the church, which is his body. It also teaches that Christ is the Savior of the body (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23). It also teaches there's one body, BUT one body (Eph. 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:20). Just as there is ONE head, there is ONE body, or church, of which Jesus Christ is head. This is a stumbling block to multitudes today. Christ is rejected as head of the church, and replaced by a man, chosen by men. Many, many others believe that any church, or almost any church is a part of the body of Christ. They believe that Jesus authorized many churches so man could have a choice. Others believe that church membership is not essential to salvation. Jesus and the church become stumbling blocks to those who refuse to accept him as the head of the one church or body! Why? The creeds, manuals, and catechisms which had their origins in the minds of men teach things contrary to the New Testament. People choose to believe what came from men instead of what came from God. Believing error results in one refusing truth and stumbling on, or rejecting, the only thing that can save them.

Paul wrote: "The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes it" (Rom. 1:16). He also wrote: "But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8). Jesus said, "And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). He also said, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). The gospel, the word of God alone can save. The doctrines and commandments of men cannot save. When accepted, they cause one to stumble at truth; to refuse and reject the truth.

The following are a few "stumbling blocks" that prevent some people today from obeying tbe truth.

1. Some do not believe the Bible is the inspired word of God. They say it is false from beginning to end. Many who so believe know little about the Bible. Their convictions are based upon what they see practiced in the religious world. There are, as you know, many churches or religious organizations. They teach different and conflicting doctrines, yet they also claim to be following the teaching of the Bible. An observing person knows this to be true. Many times this situation will turn people away from all religions. However, the Bible teaches us ALL the same thing. The fact that many accept what they like in the scriptures and reject what they do not like should not cause one to "stumble" on tbe Bible. If one will study or even just read it, much can be found that will prove it is not a fable, but facts.

2. Some look at the manner of life of some who claim to be Christians and know they are only pretenders. These, like a Scriptural description of such, appear outwardly as whited sepulchres but inwardly are filled with dead men's bones. Another word for such people is "hypocrite". There were many such pretenders during Jesus' days on earth, and he severely rebuked them. Such people do not serve God, but self. Anyone familiar with the Bible should know the result of such a life. It is eternal loss of the person. No one should allow such a one to become a stumbling block.

3. Then there are those who teach that God is a kind and merciful Father and will NOT allow even one person to be eternally lost. It is true that man is made in the image of God but man does not retain that image. He turns from God to sin and God allows him to do so. God does NOT send any one to hell, but He allows men to do s they please in this life. If they choose to live in sin which leads them to eternal destruction, God allows them to do so. However, this becomes a stumbling block to many today.

NOW, what is your attitude toward TRUTH? Do false doctrines cause you to stumble and turn from it? Do pretenders become a stumbling block? Do not be deceived. Study the Bible. Learn it! Obey it! Be saved now and in eternity! Only you can make the decision!