restoration movement

Restoration Movement

We live in a world where there are thousands of religious groups. Many children, and unfortunately adults as well, do not have any clue as to what is meant by the restoration plea. In discussing this great Biblical concept with your children, begin by showing that the New Testament church was prophesied of (Isa. 2:2-3; Micah 4:1-2; Dan. 2:44), and established on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2). Then point out to them that departures from the faith were foretold, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first. . ." (2 Thess. 2:3). Observe also I Timothy 4:1, ". . .that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." Such departures were predicted to come from within the body of Christ (Acts 20:28-31). Stress the fact the first century church was characterized by unity of doctrine, organization of worship, and work, but the church in the fifth century was characterized by doctrinal corruption. The first human creed was adopted by the year 325 A.D. and it is known as the Nicene Creed. All of this came about because men departed from the teaching of our Lord, and established their own ways!

Following this period there was a millennium of darkness - the Dark Ages - a period in history when the church of Christ was lost to the eyes of the recording historians of the world. Men such as Martin Luther and John Calvin attempted to reform the Catholic Church. Luther, a young Catholic Monk, nailed ninety-five theses, or debate propositions, to the castle church door at Wittenberg to protest against the many innovations of the Catholic Church. Point out that it was not Luther’s intention to break away from the Catholic Church, but to simply reform the situation. The results of Luther’s theses was the beginning of the Protest Reformation Movement. A movement in which they were protesting against the Catholic Church.

Now point out to your children that while Luther and others were trying to reform the Catholic Church, other men took an altogether different approach. Instead of trying to reform the Catholic Church men such as Thomas Campbell, Alexander Campbell, Jacob Creath, Jr. Barton W. Stone, Raccoon John Smith and many others decided to completely renounce all human creeds and go back to the Bible. Thomas Campbell’s famous statement became their motto: "Where the Bible speaks; we speak; where the Bible is silent we are silent." Thus started the Restoration Movement. A movement designed to go back to the Bible, and completely restore the New Testament church in doctrine, organization and practice. A movement which has succeeded!

It should be pointed out that the Restoration Movement was evidenced in Scandinavia, Europe, England, and Scotland long before it was to greatly effect this country. Congregations of the church of Christ were to be found meeting in North Carolina, Virginia, Vermont, and New Hampshire before the close of the 18th century.

Now, sooner or later, someone will tell your children that Alexander Campbell started the church of Christ, but that simply is not true! There is an interesting tombstone of a man by the name of William Rogers in the old Cane Ridge Cemetery in Kentucky. The engraving on the stone is as follows: "William Rogers born ...July 7, 1784, Removed with his father to Cane Ridge...Apr. 1798. United with the church of Christ at Cane Ridge 1807..." When William Rogers united with the church of Christ at Cane Ridge in 1807 Alexander Campbell was nineteen years of age in Ireland!!! Young people and adults as well, will quickly see that the concept of Alexander Campbell being the founder and organizer of the church of Christ is without support and not true!!!

Now once again open your Bible, and show that Jesus Christ established the church of Christ on the first Pentecost following His resurrection as is recorded in Acts 2:47. Alexander Campbell and others did not intend to start a new religious organization or to reform those present, but to go back to the Bible and completely restore the New testament church. A movement that did succeed!

Again open your Bible and point out that when one believes in Christ as God’s son (Jon. 8:24), repents of his sins (Acts 2:38), confesses with his mouth that Jesus Christ is the son of God (Matt. 10:32), and is immersed for the remission of his sins (Acts 2:38), that the Lord will add them to the church where the saved are located (Acts 2:47). The church they are a member of is not a denomination, but the same church that Peter, Paul, Lydia and other early Christians were members of - the church of Christ! It is all Christian’s responsibility to reach out to others with the saving message of Jesus Christ and His glorious church (Mk.16:15-16)! There are many verses one could read regarding Christ and His glorious church, and no doubt Ephesians 3:21 is very fitting to close the study, "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

- - -Ivie Powell