The question has been asked: What does the Spirit of God mean by the words: “…whereunto also they were appointed” in 1 Peter 2:8? The answer rests in the context. Consider 1 Peter 2:6-8.
(6.) 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. (7.) 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, (8.) 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.
Any repentant soul that believes on the Lord Jesus Christ receives an understanding through the Spirit of Christ: he is the Comforter, the Spirit of truth (John 15:26); and, he abides with us, from our new birth, for ever (John 14:16). But a heart disobedient to the gospel of Christ is appointed to stumble at his Word. If you desire to understand the Word of God, you must begin with receiving this truth: that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (2 John 1:7). Whosoever transgresses and abides not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son (2 John 1:9).
Notice the term “stumble” in 1 Peter 2:8. Contrast that word with “not confounded” in 1 Peter 2:6. The two ideas are opposites. When you think of the guests bidden to the wedding from the highways, that the lord’s house may be full (Matthew 22:1-14), you will recall that the lord asked of one a question: “Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?” The man was speechless (Matthew 22:12). He stumbled; he was confounded.
The wedding garment in question is the righteousness of God, which is obtained by the faith of Jesus Christ, given unto all and resting upon all them that believe that Jesus is the Christ (Romans 3:21-22). He that believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God (1 John 5:1). Our justification is a free gift, by God’s grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).
The Father so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son (John 3:16). Jesus died for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). God’s invitation is to the ends of the earth: “Come unto me and be ye saved” (Isaiah 45:22). Man is without excuse (Romans 1:20). Though dead in trespasses and in sins (Ephesians 2:1), though of that wicked one (as was Cain - 1 John 3:12), God still speaks to man, as evidenced by God speaking to Cain..
When Cain refused to offer a lamb, as Abel had offered (even though that sacrifice was acceptable to God), Cain showed his contempt for God’s choice. If we could ask Cain why, he might say that it made no sense to him. Cain may have thought, “A lamb is a smelly animal, so dumb that it needed a shepherd. “ Whatever his answer, we know what did make sense to Cain. Cain preferred a bloodless sacrifice. He offered to God the fruit of his own labor (Genesis 4:3). Men are still doing the same.
How did God respond to Cain? The Lord called upon him, asking him why his countenance was fallen and why he was so angry over God’s rejecting Cain’s efforts. The Lord said, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Genesis 4:7). That lamb pictured the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Cain was disobedient to the gospel. Peter declares of God: “Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded” (1 Peter 2:6). Obedience to God, for any and for all, is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Not believing the record that God gave of his Son makes God a liar (1 John 5:10).
Those disobedient to the gospel are appointed to stumble at the word of God. To understand the Old Testament beyond a list of names and places, sacrifices and feast days; or, to understand the New Testament — we must first understand who Jesus is. Through Isaiah, God declares of Israel, “All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people” (Romans 10:21).
Paul summarizes what God has been doing since creation: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever” (Romans 16:25-27). God is seeking the obedience of faith through Jesus Christ.
My Lord said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:14-17).
Like Cain, man has the rule over God’s sacrifice (Genesis 4:7). Man can accept or reject what Jesus Christ did at Calvary. But, know this, too, the only name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12) is the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). That person will not stumble, he will not be confounded; for, the scripture saith, “Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed” (Romans 10:11).
Jesus said, “He that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come” (Revelation 22:17). Will you have the wedding garment? Will you be saved from Hell? You can, if you will humble yourself and make Jesus Christ your sure foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11).