Restoration then now1

The Restoration Movement

This morning – What we have restored

Tonight – What is yet to be restored

Background

• In early America – late 1700's – many preachers from Europe came here

• They became tired of the disagreements, splits, arguing and fighting

• At different places – New Hampshire, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio – some began to say - “Abandon the creeds of men and go back to the Bible only.”

Background

• Elias Smith, James O'Kelly, Barton W. Stone all began a movement – independent of each other.

• All of this took place BEFORE Alexander Campbell came to America in 1808.

• Alexander Campbell and his father, Thomas, became the better known leaders of the movement.

• In the 1830's Campbell and Stone unitied

Background

• This movement is well documented in America

• But it did not begin here. There were man congregations in England who rejected the creeds of denominations.

• Similar movements were in England, Australia, Germany, Russia, Brazil – and many other nations.

The Goal

• The goal was to urge people to abandon the denominational creeds, doctrines of men, customs and traditions.

• The goal was to bring people BACK to the Bible. Do what they did. Teach what they taught. Worship as they worshiped. Obey what they obeyed.

• Speak where the Bible speaks, be silent where the Bible is silent.

We have restored - -

• Reject creeds• Today many denominations still have creeds –

but they are not taught or emphasized.• Their ordained ministers must promise to be

true to the creed – but most members do not have any knowledge of it.

• WE HAVE NO CREED BUT CHRIST, NO BOOK BUT THE BIBLE !

We have restored - -

• Worship• Sunday - 1st day of the week• Communion each week• Vocal singing – not instruments of music• Free will giving• Prayer• Study of the Bible• THERE ARE 5 AVENUES OF WORSHIP.

We have restored - -

• DoctrineMatthew 15:8-9 8 'These people draw near to

Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "

• Don't follow the teachings of any man.• ABANDON ALL DOCTRINES OF MEN

We have restored - -

• OrganizationPhilippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants

of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

• Elders – Deacons – Saints• No clergy – No denominational structure• Congregational autonomy• THERE IS NO HIEARCHY IN THE CHURCH.

We have restored - -

• Plan of Salvation• Believe – in Christ, the gospel, the NT• Repent – change of mind, change of direction• Confess – with mouth, public, open, freely• Baptism – Burial in water– For believers, not infants– For the remission of sins, wash away sins

• THIS IS GOD'S PLAN FOR OUR OBEDIENCE

Are we through?

• Tonight I want to look at some areas where we still have some “restoration” work to do.

• There are many things that have NOT been restored as they were in the New Testament.

• We must not be satisfied with the work of Campbell, Stone and others.

Are you restored?

• We have gone back to the Bible to restore what the church of the 1st century did.

• Worship – Doctrine – Organization• Plan of Salvation – Reject Creeds• Are you part of that restored church ?• Do you worship they way they did ? Do you

believe what they believed ?

• Have you done what they did ?