I invite you to the third lesson in a series on the history of the church - from its beginning in 1st century to restoration during the past 200 years. We have noted that the Lord's church found in the NT was patterned after the teachings of Christ and the apostles - and as such was one united body!
We noted also that though the church for a time remained pure. Yet, within a few hundred years it began to depart from the New Testament pattern. There was a "falling away." We mentioned how that an eventual corruption set in which changed the church into an apostate church - which later came to be identified as the Holy Roman Empire (or Roman Catholicism).
This apostate religion controlled the lives of people throughout almost all Europe! It was a religion in which were invented dozens of doctrines and practices that were foreign to God's word! We noted how that by the 12th & 13th centuries, some men tried to break the shackles of Rome and bring spiritual light to those enslaved in darkness. Indeed, it was the "dark ages"! However, these efforts were met with severe punishment. Thousands were tortured or executed for their rebellion.
I. BUT THEN, WE NOTED THAT BY THE 1500s SOME MEN WERE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY SPEAK OUT - CALLING FOR REFORM IN CATHOLICISM
However, while these men encouraged reform - they found selves being excommunicated & thrown out. Hence, these men, along with those who followed them, found it necessary to create new movements, or "churches," in which they could express their rebellion. They truly believed they had found ways to improve on the corruptions of Catholicism.
Hence, the beginning of the Pro-testant Reformation.One by one new churches sprang up across Europe! Lutheran -1530; Presbyterian -1536; Baptist -1609; Episcopalian -1611; Methodist -1739. But, it must be remembered that each of these new churches represented a new division, or denomination - they were divided! Each developed its own peculiar nature - in name, creed and practice. There were barriers between them which kept them divided!
And then, as the years passed, these churches split and divided again and again. Today more then 1000 distinct denominations. It doesn't take long to see that such a divisive, sectarian spirit is completely contrary to the church that Jesus purchased with his blood!
II. DURING THE TIME AMERICAN WAS BEING SETTLED - THERE WERE A NUMBER PREACHERS, HERE AND ABROAD, WHO BEGAN TO QUESTION DENOMINATIONALSIM
They knew that Jesus prayed that all those who would follow him would be one (Jn.17), that the apostles taught unity (Eph.4:3), and that apostles conndemned division (I Cor.1:10). As they began discovering what they had been teaching was in conflict with the New Testament, they set out to do what they could to correct themselves.These men asked, "Where is the church for which Jesus died?" "Does it exist?" "Where can we find it?" "Can we?"
Then they realized that the place to find it was the New Testament! They saw that no matter how many man-made churches had been created, the Lord's church would always be in Bible - in seed form! So, they set out to restore the church as it was in the New Testament.But, who were these men? In Europe: James Haldane, John Glass, Robert Sandeman, Rowland Hill, Greville Ewing, John Walker, and Alexander Carson. In America: James O'Kelley, Rice Haggard, Elias Smith, Abner Jones, Barton W, Stone, Raccoon John Smith, Thomas Campbell, Walter Scott, Alexander Campbell. And, the surprising thing - most of these men did not know one another - and they were all saying same things!
Their reasoning was, "If it is wrong for one man to preach ten different doctrines in ten different churches, then it is just as wrong for ten men to preach ten different doctrines in ten different churches!" So, with the Bible as their guide, they began to look at the false doctrines and practices they had been promoting - baby baptism, sprinkling for baptism, faith only salvation, wearing titles, creed books, man-made names for the churches. As they found these things to be contrary to the Bible - they gladly laid them aside!
Their plea was simple and clear! "Let us speak where the Bible speak, and be silent where the Bible is silent." "Let us call Bible things by Bible names and do Bible things in Bible ways." "In matters of faith, obedience; in matters of opinion, liberty; in all things, charity."
They realized that in areas where God had spoken, they must obey! (Heb.5:9) They realized that in areas where God had not spoken (areas where men may have differing opinions), they must exercise liberty! And, likewise, they realized that in all matters they should maintain a loving spirit!
III. I WANT TO PUT INTO FOCUS WHAT WAS ACTUALLY TAKING PLACE - HOW THESE MEN REASONED
First, they determined that denominationalism was wrong. Though they had tried, they could not justify it. It was opposed to every principle of true Christianity!
Second, they concluded that the only solution to the problem was restoration - not reform. Simply reforming false doctrines and practices would not work. They knew it would take complete restoration.
Third, they determined that restoration was possible. It was not outside their grasp. It could be done if they were willing to pay the price.
Fourth, tthey concluded that the word of God was the only authoritative guide for such a return. They realized that any other source would fail. They knew the pattern for the Lord's church was there, and it would be futile to look elsewhere.
Fifth, they knew that to achieve restoration they must do only that which the Bible authorizes!There was one basic difference between the purpose of the reformers and the restorers.
The reformers said, "We will do nothing which the Bible forbids" Now, this was good and was on right track, but it was not enough! You see, this alone would allow any thing not specifically forbidden! For example, where does Bible specifically forbid praying to Mary, counting beads, using holy water, etc.? The restorers, however, in their pursuit to return to the Bible, went further than this!The restorers said, "We will do nothing which is not authorized by the word of God!" So, it was more than just avoiding things which were specifically forbidden - it was also avoiding things for which there was no Biblical authority. In this, they were elevating the Bible to its rightful place as the only source of religious authority!
Complete allegiance to the word of God became the foundation of the restoration plea. Those men continued to plea with people everywhere to respect God's final, eternal word, and to treat it as their sole guide. They encouraged folks to take the Bible and "rightly divide" it - a principle set forth by Paul (II Tim.2:15)
It was important to handle God's word in the right way. And people could see how sensible this was. As the restoration plea spread, many thousands were brought into this new unity. The restoration worked! Even entire denominational churches went back to the New Testament pattern! Hundreds of denominational preachers were convinced that the restoration was the only answer!
Churches of Christ today represent the restoration of New Testament Christianity. The Lord's church today continues to emphasize the plea for unity - unity based on the pattern of God's word. Those of us who are a part of it must continue with the same plea. We must encourage others to go with us back to Bible and be a part of the church for which Jesus died! This is our ongoing plea!
