RESTORATION
THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
PART 1 INTRODUCTION
Definitions
-
Restore: “to reestablish; to put back into existence or use; to put
back; to bring back to or put back into the former or original state; to
repair.”
Restoration: “a putting back into an unimpaired or much-improved
condition; a representation of the original form.”
History: “a systematic account of events.”
Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
Restoration
History is the systematic account of events relating to the bringing back into
its original state, the church of Christ and this, as the means to unity and
the answer of Jesus' prayer in John 17:21.
I.
The term restoration implies that something has been lost; the
original has been impaired.
II.
How are we to recognize that which is to be restored? Where is it
to be found?
The New Testament affords the answer to
these questions.
THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
I.
Jesus spoke of the church (Matthew 16:18) - a future event.
Pentecost cited as the beginning, cf. Acts 11:15 and Acts 2.
II.
Characteristics of the church to be restored.
A.
Its creed, cf. Matthew 16:16; Acts 8:37; 1 Timothy 12, 13; Romans
10:9, 10.
B.
Terms of admission - conversions - Acts 2,8,9,10,16; etc.
C.
Names employed.
1.
Collectively, cf. Acts. 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:15; Colossians 1:18,24;
Ephesians 1:22,23; Romans 16:16; etc.
2.
Individually, cf. Acts 11:26 (Isaiah 62:2); Romans 1:7; 1
Corinthians 15:6; Galatians 3:26.
D. Ordinances observed.
1.
Baptism – Matthew 28:18-20 (Mark 16:15,16); Acts 2:38; 8:38,39;
22:16; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27; 1Peter 3:21; etc.
2.
Lord’s Supper – Matthew 26-26-28; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians
11:23-30; cf. Acts 2:42.
E. Polity (organization and government).
1.
Members – Acts 2:41-47.
2.
Deacons – Acts 6:3-6; 1Timothy 3:8-13; etc.
3.
Elders – 1Timothy 3:17; Titus 1:5-9; etc.
4.
Evangelists – 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus.
5.
Consideration of the apostolic and prophetic offices (ceased).
F. Discipline or rulebook (constitution).
1.
2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2:15; etc.
2.
All sufficient – anything that has more has too much, anything with
less does not have enough and that which professes to contain the same as the
scriptures is unnecessary.
G. Its unity.
1.
Locally – 85 out of the 114 usages of the term “church” in the New
Testament refer to the local congregation, cf. 1 Corinthians 1,3, and 12.
2.
Yes all were one, how and why? Cf. Ephesians 4; John 17:17-21; etc.
3.
They were one in all five of the aforementioned characteristics.
4.
All taught and practiced the same thing. That which joined them to
Christ automatically joined them to one another. Thus God’s eternal purpose was
being accomplished – the world’s restoration to fellowship with God.
CONCLUSION: The history of the Restoration
Movement is primarily a history of the search for the New Testament church and
the endeavor to restore it with Christian unity prevailing as a consequence.
When one examines the method of the restorationists, he notes that unity was
their original objective. In their search for a means to this unity, it became
their conviction that the only scriptural and thus practical basis was through
a recognition and acceptance of the Lordship of Christ and the authority of His
Word and a restoration of the church revealed therein in its doctrines, ordinances,
and fruits.
Today many make unity their exclusive
objective and resort to other than scriptural means of attaining it. They are
concerned with unity first and truth second.
To appreciate the significance of the
Restoration Movement, it is essential that there be pointed out that which is
to be restored and why. In light of the fact that the world is clamoring for
unity and more and more deploring the sin of division and that this is
purportedly being fulfilled in the modern ecumenical movement, it is essential
that the world be shown that this is the most feasible, the only practical and
scriptural means to unity; that the return to scripture as normative has
practicality and validity for today.
PART II THE APOSTASY (100-1517)
INTRODUCTION
The Departure from the New Testament Norm
Definition
– The falling away; the abandonment of principles of faith.
Foretold
– Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-7.
I.
Doctrinal and moral apostasy.
A.
Rise of the clergy (hierarchy – a body of rulers – rising in order,
a system of church government.
B.
Scriptural – elders, pastors, bishops (synonymous – referring to
same office).
1.
Change in practice – ruling elder, extension of influence of one
man over groups of churches (Diotrephes, cf. III John 9).
2.
Priests, “bishops,” archbishops, cardinals.
C.
Innovations.
1.
Holy water (c. 117).
2.
Lent (140).
3.
Infant baptism – first mentioned by Irenaeus (. 170).
4.
Purgatory (Origin – 230; Gregory – 593).
5.
Clinical “baptism” – Novatian (c. 250).
6.
Conversion of Constantine (312) – State Religion.
7.
Original sin – Augustine (4th Century).
8.
Council of Nicea (325).
9.
Celibacy of the priesthood (305; 314; 692; 1015; 1074; 1123).
10.
Praying for the dead (380).
11.
Private confession (390).
12.
Title “pope” first used by bishop at Rome (400).
13.
Leo, bishop of Rome, declared supreme authority over Western
churches (450). (Gregory VII – decreed only pope – 1073).
14.
Invocation of saints (private – 470; publicly – 600).
15.
The Eucharist (490).
16.
Images (500; Council of Nicea – 787 sanctioned).
17.
Extreme Unction (528).
18.
“Universal Bishop” – John patriarch of Constantinople (595).
19.
Mass in Latin (666; 1215).
20.
Church and State combined (728).
21.
Absolution (750).
22.
Incense (790).
23.
Tradition accepted (Fourth Council of Constantinople – 869).
24.
Canonization of saints (884; authorized – 1160).
25.
Absolution (1000).
26.
Transubstantiation (1000).
27.
First major split in Christendom (1054). Major issues, authority,
celibacy, images, sprinkling. Result – Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic
churches.
28.
Auricular confession – Fourth Vatican Council (1215).
29.
Sprinkling (1311).
30.
Sale of indulgences – (1390; 1515).
31.
People deprived of cup at Lord’s Supper (1414).
32.
Immaculate Conception (1439; 1457).
33.
Purgatory (1563). (Council of Trent – 18 years – 1545 – 1563 –
passed on matters of doctrine, 15 decrees, 44 chapters, 113 canons and enforced
these doctrines by 125 anathemas!)
34.
Papal infallibility –1870 – Pope Pius IX.
CONCLUSION:
As you will note apostasy is gradual. “In this enlightened and inquisitive age
people wish to know the cause and the reason of things.” For this Cause we have
traced out the origin of human traditions and ecclesiastical dogmas and
superstition.
“Apostasy
is hardly perceptible at first, but it gathers momentum as it proceeds, and
descends with increased rapidity until the final crash comes. Once float away
from the fixed standard of New Testament teaching, and there is no telling
where you will tie up, or how far out you will float without pilot or compass.”
PART III THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION (1517-1800)
INTRODUCTION
I.
Definition – Reformation – the removal of faults or abuses; the
religious movement in western Christendom beginning early in the 16th
century, which resulted in the formation of the various Protestant church.
II.
Contributing factors – corruption; invention of printing; revival
of learning; increased acquaintance with scriptures.
III.
It actually reformed nothing. It ended in excommunication from or
withdrawal from the apostate church; the beginning of Protestantism.
I.
John Wyckliffe (latter part of 14th century)
A.
The “Morning Star of the Reformation.”
B.
Was against the supremacy of the pope; the doctrine of
transubstantiation and the abuses of the hierarchy.
C.
His greatest work – translation of the Bible into English (1380).
II.
Tyndale ( a martyr’s death – 1536). English translation of the
Bible
III.
Luther
A.
A monk, sought peace of mind, visited Rome, determined to reform
the church.
B.
His dogma of justification by faith a reaction to the system of
salvation by meritorious works (Romans 5:1). Cf. His struggle with the book of
James.
C.
Professor of Theology, University of Wittenburg.
D.
Tetzel and the sale of indulgences.
E.
The 95 theses – October 31, 1517.
F.
Bull of excommunication; Bull burned – 1520.
G.
God’s Book proclaimed for the people rather than as interpreted by
the priests.
H.
Augsburg Confession of Faith – 1530.
IV.
Other Reformers:
A.
Switzerland-Zwingli (1484-1531).
1.
Crusade against images.
2.
Emphasized that all Christians should meet on the first day for
communion.
B.
Calvin to Geneva in 1536.
1.
Predestination (election).
2.
Perseverance of the saints.
C.
Henry VIII
1.
Split with Rome over divorce of Catharine and marriage to Anne
Boleyn.
2.
Church of England (Anglican) 1530 (in America – Episcopal).
3.
King James and Authorized English translation – 1611.
D.
Scotland – John Knox – emphasis on the presbytery.
E.
John Wesley – 1729.
1.
Experience-centered religion, cottage prayer meetings, revivals.
2.
Methodists.
V.
Discovery of America just preceding the Reformation – 1492.
A.
Escape from the Inquisition sweeping Europe.
B.
The multiplicity of denominations being built around particular
doctrinal emphases being neglected by others. The sense in which we are Presbyterian,
Episcopal, Baptist, congregational, Methodist, catholic, protestant, etc., but
with the plea to be simply and ONLY Christian.
C.
The divisions perpetuated in America:
1.
The influences of Calvinism.
2.
The propagation of creeds.
3.
The subsequent erection of almost insurmountable sectarian walls,
the warring camps, the party, divisive spirit.
4.
Providing an occasion and spawning ground for infidelity.
CONCLSION:
With all this background we begin to understand why a Restoration Movement
appeared on the scene and why there was a desperate need for a plea for the
unity of all believers in Christ upon scriptural ground.
I.
The Reformation did much good but failed by just treating the
symptoms and not the cause. It did not go back far enough. The endeavor was to
reform the corrupt rather than to restore the original.
II.
Restoration involves going back beyond denominationalism with all
of its human encumbrances, both Protestant and Roman Catholic, back to the very
fountainhead, the church after the New Testament ideal.
A.
It means taking the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice
and restoring the absolute authority and Lordship of Christ as head of the
church.
B.
It involves the “search for the ancient order,” and once again “walking
in the old paths” of Christ and the apostles.
PART IV THE
RESTORATION MOVEMENT (1793-1900) (Beginnings and Growth)
INTRODUCTION
I.
Definition – Bringing back to a former or normal condition; putting
back into an unimpaired condition; putting back into the original form or
state.
II.
A gradual but almost simultaneous development. Not one person nor
in one place, but in God’s providence, among many contemporaries, unknown to
one another, in various places, in various denominations, out of diverse
backgrounds, came this movement.
I.
Independent movements: Scotland – 1778; Wales – 1795; Ireland –
1807.
II.
American Movements:
A.
James O’Kelly, Rice Haggard – rebellion against Episcopal
government.
1.
Republican Methodists – Manakin Town, N.C. – 1793; dissolved –
1801.
2.
Principles – no creed or discipline but the Bible; the New
Testament sufficient.
3.
Congregational form of government.
4.
No head over the church but Christ.
5.
“Henceforth the followers of Christ be known as Christians simply.”
B.
Abner Jones – Baptist – Vermont (1800-1803).
1.
Took no name but Christian and no law but that of the Bible.
2.
Elias Smith – Baptist – New Hampshire.
C.
Barton Stone – Presbyterian – Kentucky (1801).
1.
Cane Ridge Revival (August, 1801).
2.
Formation of Springfield Presbytery.
3.
Contribution to party spirit-dissolved-Last Will and Testament of
the Springfield Presbytery (1804).
4.
Called simply Christians; Bible only rule; Christian church.
D.
Thomas Campbell – Old Light, Anti-burgher, Scotch-Seceder branch of
the Presbyterian Church – came to America in 1807.
1.
Reasons for withdrawal from Synod.
2.
Declaration and Address (1809).
3.
Formation of Christian Assembly of Washington.
E.
Alexander Campbell (son) – 1809 concurs in views of father.
1.
Brush Run Church organized – 1811.
2.
Question of sprinkling studied – 1812.
3.
Joining Redstone Baptist Association – 1813 – with understanding
they would teach and preach only what they learned from scripture.
4.
Sermon on the Law results in breach with Baptist Association.
5.
Brush Run Church joins Mahoning Baptist Association of Eastern Ohio
(the Western Reserve – 1823); disbanded – 1830.
F.
Walter Scott – Presbyterian – met Campbell in 1822.
1.
Struck the keynote of evangelism.
2.
Originated the “finger exercise.”
3.
Outlined the gospel (intelligent appeal on God’s part, intelligent
response on man’s part).
G.
Growth:
1.
Stone and Campbell movements merge in Lexington, Kentucky – 1832.
2.
Formation of the American Christian Missionary Society – 1849.
3.
Formation of subsequent expediences – fellowship not contingent
upon support or non-support.
4.
Growing discord over societies and musical instrument – 1850.
5.
At turn of 20th century the fastest growing religious
movement since Pentecost.
6.
The Plea made clear – not forming another denomination to add to
the many already in existence, but to go back to the fountainhead, the New
Testament, and with Christ as the only Creed, the Bible as the only and
all-sufficient rule for faith and practice, the use of Christian as the divine
name, the gospel as the only message, and unity as the aim with the means – the
restoration of the church of the New Testament ideal in doctrine, ordinances,
and fruit (life).
7.
Estimated that at present rate of growth, by mid-20th
century, there would be 40-60 million adherents in this movement in America.
CONCLUSION
I.
The Bible only + nothing – nothing ¸ = Christians only. The Bible
only makes Christians only. One has to take more than the Bible to be more than
simply a Christian.
A.
Illustration
1.
Bible + Roman Catholic dogma and Tradition = Roman Catholic.
2.
Bible + Methodist Book of Discipline = Methodist.
3.
Bible + Book of Science and Health = Christian Scientist.
4.
Bible + Book of Mormon = Mormon.
5.
Bible + Westminster Confession of Faith = Presbyterian.
6.
Bible + Augsburg Confession of Faith = Lutheran.
7.
Bible + Philadelphia Confession of Faith = Baptist; etc., etc.
8.
Bible only + 0 – 0 ¸ 0 = Christian only.
II.
The movement to restore the church after the New Testament ideal is
the plea of the hour. It is reasonable, practical, scriptural, and universally
admitted to be right. Unity on a scriptural basis was the prayer of our Lord in
the shadow of Calvary (John 17:17-21). This plea has not been outgrown. Its
need is greater today than ever before. It needs to be preached and practiced
(implemented). The world needs to know that there are people who advocate common
meeting ground, the one universal creed – Christ, the one infallible rule for
faith and practice - the Bible, the universally accepted name = Christian,
which makes possible the fulfillment of the one divine aim – the salvation of
all lost souls through the proclamation of the gospel and the subsequent
oneness of all believers; that being a New Testament Christian is not
contingent upon fellowship in one convention, college, missionary society,
publishing house, etc. This platform is not divisive. It is unifying. Let us be
preaching it in love in all the world (Mark 16: 15, 16).
PART V THE RESTORATION MOVEMENT (1900-1969) (Apostasy)
INTRODUCTION
I.
Definition – the falling away, the abandonment of principle or
faith.
II.
Scriptural warning – Acts 20:28-31; Romans 16:17,18.
III.
Backgrounds:
A.
Formation of missionary societies.
1.
American Christian Missionary Society – 1849.
2.
Christian Women’s Board of Missions – 1874.
3.
Foreign Christian Missionary Society – 1875.
B.
Instrumental question – 1850.
C.
Formation of Campbell Institute – 1896. The “new learning or
knowledge” – Rationalism (Modernism).
D.
Separate U.S. Religious Census listings – 1906.
E.
Centennial Convention, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – 1909.
F.
Formation of United Christian Missionary Society – 1919.
IV.
Original principles in the Restoration Movement:
A.
The Bible – Holy Spirit inspired, infallible – the authoritative
Word of God – the only and all-suffience rule of faith and practice (a Bible
people; a people of the Book).
B.
Jesus the Christ – the Messiah and Savior from sin, “ the only
begotten Son of the living God” – Holy Spirit conceived, virgin born.
C.
The restoration of the church after the New Testament pattern – in
doctrine, ordinances, and life.
D.
The New Testament – the only practical basis of unity.
E.
Human expedients not permitted to become tests of fellowship, as
they were not of divine origin.
F.
Proceeding on this basis, at the turn of the century – fastest
growing religious movement since Pentecost.
I.
Infiltration of Rationalism (Infidelity).
A.
Admitted by R. E. Osborn – International Convention – 1958.
B.
Views of educators and scholars. Published works of Panel of
Scholars – The Renewal of Church – 1963.
1.
Repudiation of Bible’s inspiration and infallibility.
2.
Repudiation of Bible’s representation of Jesus.
3.
Rejection of restoration and New Testament as church’s
constitution.
4.
Practice of “open membership.”
5.
Rejection of undenominational status linked to ecumenical
aspirations.
6.
Elevating of human expedients to level of basic faith or doctrine.
Cf. the 13 court cases and the allegations of Disciples.
II.
Orientation of the Churches.
A.
The Division of Education (Disciples of Christ) and materials
prepared by its curriculum committee – 1945. (Bethany Press and Christian Board
of Publication.)
B.
Prepared for Bible schools, mission groups, young people’s
societies, etc.
III.
Restructure – “The Sixties – A Decade of Decision.”
A.
What it is – a plan of church government allowing “freedom with responsibility”
– lines of authority.
B.
Its purpose – essential to the acquisition of denominational and
ecumenical status as stated by Osborn and others.
C.
A new denomination “The Christian Church” (Disciples of Christ)
voted into existence in Kansas City, Missouri, September, 1968.
CONCLUSION
I.
Restructurists now have their constituency accepting the very human
innovations that divided Christendom and joining the denominations, the very
practices and existence of which caused the Restoration Movement to come into
being. It takes Christians back into the very thing out of which they came.
II.
Restructure was not basically the issue confronting the Restoration
movement. Restructure was the result, not the cause. Apostasy or infidelity was
the issue or cause. (The issue in all of Christendom today.)
A.
At each point of original and fundamental faith, doctrine and
practice, there has been a radical departure.
B.
Churches and individuals making decisions today must base their
decisions upon their view of and attitude toward the Bible and Jesus Christ.
The issue is settled for those who accept it as the authoritative Word of God
and Jesus Christ as sole Head of the Church.
PART VI THE RESTORATION MOVEMENT (1923-1974) (Resurgence)
INTRODUCTION
I.
Exposure of “open membership” in Foreign Christian Missionary
Society by Robert E. Elmore. Publishing of revelations by Standard Publishing.
II.
Rallying of faithful remnant.
I.
Formation of Clarke Fund (1923)
A.
Organizing body – Richmond Street Christian Church, Cincinnati,
Ohio – elders acting as trustees, among the earliest “free” missionary
agencies.
B.
Purposes – evangelizing in areas destitute of the New Testament
plea; establishing churches after the New Testament pattern, reopening closed
churches, etc.
C.
Almost one new church a month established and about the same number
of closed churches reopened with over 1,000 additions a year in the early
years.
II.
Formation of two new schools.
A.
McGarvey Bible College and Cincinnati Bible Institute – 1923.
Purpose – to stem the tide of infidelity and to prepare a faithful gospel
ministry.
B.
Merger under auspices of Clarke Fund. The Cincinnati Bible Seminary
– 1924.
III.
Growth of Clarke Fund. Separation from Richmond Street Christian
Church – 1925.
A.
New name – Christian Restoration Association.
B.
Purposes – same as predecessor including educational, benevolent
and mission work.
C.
Publication – name changed from Facts to Restoration
Herald.
IV.
Christian Service Camp Movement (1927). Twelve camps in 12 states
arranged by Christian Restoration Association.
A.
Number increased to 14 in 1928.
B.
Taps tremendous potential lying dormant in local churches for the
Christian ministry and leadership.
C.
Local churches urged to give oversight.
V.
Momentum of Direct-Support Missions:
A.
U.C.M.S. recall of Leslie Wolfe from Philippines for refusal to
co-operate in comity and “open membership.”
1.
Funds cabled by C.R.A. in response to Wolfe dilemma (1927).
2.
Ensuing appeals for assistance from Cunningham and Madden in Japan;
C. B. Titus in Union of South Africa; E. T. Westrup in Mexico; Russell Morse in
China and Tibet.
3.
Appeal to churches by C.R.A. – living-link support secured and
local churches underwrite a direct-support program.
B.
Start of North American Christian Convention (1927). A fellowship
of free Christians; not a convention of churches; not representative, official
or authoritative.
C.
The Cincinnati Bible Seminary set apart from C.R.A. (1928).
VI.
Forty-seven Years of Co-operative Endeavor in Faith:
A.
Multiplicity of evangelistic associations and men’s fellowships
both local and area wide. Results – scores of new churches not established
annually.
B.
Forty Bible Colleges.
1.
Enrollment over 6,000.
2.
Burgeoning growth exerting pressure on facilities and faculties.
C.
Approximately 800 weeks of Christian Service Camps.
1.
About 100,000 enrollments.
2.
Over 1,500 baptized into Christ annually.
3.
About 500 recruits for specialized Christian service annually.
D.
Missionaries number about 1,800.
1.
About 1,000 missionaries overseas.
2.
In 45 countries.
3.
On 80 mission fields.
4.
On 350 different mission stations.
5.
Over 10 per cent of present Bible college enrollment committed to
the mission field.
E.
About 5500 congregations. Over 1,000,000 members.
F.
Non-instrument brethren.
1.
About 12,000 congregations.
2.
About 2,500,000 members.
3.
Unity consultations based upon adherence to the common faith and
recognition of each other as brethren.
CONCLUSION
I.
In a day of membership, seminary, ministerial, missionary, and
church decline in liberal circles, the Restoration Movement is experiencing
growth in every area.
II.
Believers in all the denominations, wearied of apostasy in
denominational circles, are looking again for common meeting ground.
III.
In the Restoration movement is found not only an adherence to the
historical Biblical Christian faith, but it is found in an undenominational
context.
IV.
The world’s population tripled from 1850 to 1950 (3,000,000,000).
A.
To double again by 2000 A.D.
B.
In 1950 331/3 per cent of the world’s population was Christian.
C.
By 1960 it had dropped to 30 per cent.
D.
It is projected that by 2000 A.D. it would be less than 20 per
cent.
V.
There is a great-unfinished task that necessitates the involvement
of every Christian as a soul-winner, a renewed emphasis upon the scriptural
doctrine of the priesthood of all believers.
VI.
This is an era of unprecedented opportunity for a witness to
undenominational Christianity and fro renewed plea for a restoration of the
church after the New Testament pattern with Christ as the only creed, the Bible
as the only and all-sufficient rule for faith and practice, and content to
Christian only.
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