Restoration
-Introduction
-In one of the sermons last week I made reference to a time of restoration during the rule
of King Hezekiah.
-restoration – (Webster’s Dict.) – “an act of restoring”
-restore – (Webster’s Dict.) – “…to put or bring back into a former or original state…”
-The process of restoration is not a process of creating something new. It is the process of
returning to a former condition or state.
-example of Brown’s tractor
-Hezekiah was trying to get the people back to the proper worship of & service to God.
-He wasn’t trying to formulate a new system. He was trying to return to the former
system – God’s system – God’s pattern.
-By looking through the pages of history we can see that the need for restoration has been a
constant. We can also find several times in which a restoration did indeed take place.
-General History
-In a lesson last week, I also stated the fact that the church was built by Jesus – Matt 16:18.
-There are specific rules that the church is to follow. There is a pattern for the worship
of the church and for the lifestyles of those within it.
-There is a doctrine that is to be followed: 2 John 9-11
-If we stray from this doctrine then a restoration needs to take place – not the creating
of a new doctrine, new pattern, new system but a returning to God’s pattern.
-Within the N.T. scriptures we find that a falling away was foretold.
-1 Tim 4:1-3, 2 Tim 4:2-4, 2 Thess 2:1-5
-Simplified view: The Church
/
(Reformation) / (Restoration)
The Church à Catholicism à Denominationalism
\
Add’l Denominations
-So, in today’s religious world, we have many, many different doctrines that are believed,
practiced and taught. Yet, Jesus spoke of His church in a singular manner and the
scriptures teach about a particular, singular doctrine.
-Matt 16:18, Eph 4:4 (Eph 1:22-23), 2 John 9-11, Rom 6:16
-Clearly, we need a restoration – a returning to the former pattern and doctrine.
-Reformation
-As people became more disgruntled with Catholicism, the Reformation Movement began.
(14th-16th centuries)
-John Wycliff – England – He translated the scriptures into English and spoke out against
the abuses of the Catholic church and asserted that the Bible is the final authority.
-Others followed in Wycliff’s steps – Lollards, John Huss
-Martin Luther – Germany – (Lutheran Church)
-John Calvin – Switzerland – spread to Scotland – Presbyterian Church
-Calvin’s teachings still have a large impact on the beliefs and teachings of several
denominations.
-Henry VIII – the Church of England – From this church, and opposition to it, several
denominations developed and grew. (Methodist, Protestant Episopal Church)
-Restoration Movement
-The roots of the Restoration Movement go back to individuals such as:
-John Glass (1695-1773) – originally a Presbyterian – taught plurality of elders and
independence of each congregation, weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper,
pattern of worship according to Acts 2:42
-Robert Sandeman – son-in-law of John Glass – taught several things similar to John
Glass – established a church in Danbury, Conn. A group of Sandeman’s followers would later
associate themselves with Alexander Campbell.
-Robert and James Haldane – wealthy brothers in Scotland – born in the 1760’s –
withdrew from the church of Scotland – began independent congregations – began a
seminary in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1799
-The existence of Sunday schools can be traced primarily back to these brothers.
They are the ones who led the way in organizing them.
-They taught adult baptism by immersion.
-Others in America were also becoming more concerned and more opposed to
denominational systems. They, too, were seeking to return to the N.T. pattern.
-James O’Kelly – separated himself from the Methodist church in 1793
-In 1794, with about 1,000 members, this group decided to refer to themselves as
the Christian Church.
-This Christian Church spread through the Southern & Western states and it is
believed that it had a membership of about 20,000 by 1809.
-The topic of baptism would eventually be an item of debate and the group divided.
-Elias Smith and Abner Jones – Smith was a Baptist preacher who became dissatisfied
with Calvinistic doctrine. He organized an independent “Christian church” in
Vermont in 1801 . Jones was a physician in Vermont and a Baptist preacher. Smith
began publishing the Herald of Gospel Liberty, seemingly the first religious
publication in America.
-There seemed to be a sense of growing fellowship amongst the Smith/Jones groups
and the Christian churches in the south.
-However, the Smith and Jones groups remained separate from the Campbell/Stone
movements. Eventually, they merged with a couple of other groups and formed
the United Church of Christ.
-Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell
-“To Barton Warren Stone and Alexander Campbell has gone most of the credit for the restoration movement. Of the two, the latter has overshadowed the former
in the popularity and recognition he has received for services rendered in the cause of the ancient order. Whether this popular opinion be justified or not is a
mooted question, but that both Stone and Campbell deserve outstanding credit for the move to return to apostolic times is readily admitted. Each made his
valuable contribution to the movement, and neither should be forgotten” (Earl Irvin West, The Search For the Ancient Order, A History of the Restoration
Movement, 1849-1906, Vol. 1, Nashville, TN, Gospel Advocate Co, 1974).
-Barton Stone
-Stone's family was a part of the church of England. He was taught at an academy where
Calvinism prevailed and many Presbyterian preachers were trained. Henceforth, Stone
became a Presbyterian preacher.
-He and several others withdrew from the Presbyterian church in 1803.
-They initially set up the Springfield Presbytery. Later, realizing that this in itself did
not conform to the N.T. pattern, they dissolved the organization and issued the Last
Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery. The ideas outlined within it seemed to
symbolize the aim of the Restoration Movement.
-Enemies referred to Stone and his supporters as “New Lights” and the “New Light Christian
Church.”
-In November, 1826, Stone began publishing the Christian Messenger.
-Stone continued with his efforts and in 1830 it is estimated that those following his pattern
included about 15,000 people.
-Alexander Campbell
-Alexander was the son of Thomas Campbell, a Presbyterian preacher.
-Thomas was growing dissatisfied with the Presbyterian system.
-In 1807, due to painful stomach problems, he left Ireland and traveled to America.
-In September, 1808, Thomas separated himself from the Presbyterians.
-He wrote the famous document, Declaration and Address, which outlined his purposes
in pursuing a restoration.
-Alexander, along with his family, set out for America to be reunited with Thomas in 1808.
However, they suffered shipwreck in Scotland.
-While in Scotland, Alexander attended Glasgow University where he came into close
contact with Greville Ewing, a man influenced by the teachings of the Haldane brothers.
-Also, Glas and Sandeman were also exerting an influence at that time in Scotland.
-As Alexander continued to study the scriptures, he too was being pulled away from the
manmade creeds and systems of denominationalism. He, too, was seeking a restoration.
-In September, 1809 Alexander was reunited with his father. Thomas showed him the
Declaration and Address. Alexander agreed with what his father had written and dedicated
his life to the pursuit of it.
-Alexander preached his first sermon in September, 1810 at the site of the Brush Run Church.
Alexander began participating in debates and in August, 1823 began the Christian Baptist.
Through the publication Alexander continued to spread the principles of the Restoration.
-In 1830, Alexander ceased publishing the Christian Baptist and began the Millenial Harbinger.
-A great many souls were reached through the preaching, debates and writings of Alexander.
-Summary and Invitation
-The Stone and Campbell movements eventually united and merged. Many were influenced by their
teachings and efforts. As a result, many preachers proclaimed spiritual truth and the Restoration
Movement continued.
-Walter Scott, “Racoon” John Smith, Jacob Creath, Tolbert Fanning, J.W. McGarvey,
David Lipscomb, etc.
-Most of these men preached for little to no pay. They faced much opposition. They traveled
by horseback and foot, sometimes being away from home for months.
-They preached in church buildings, schools, houses, barns, groves, fields, etc.
-They labored diligently for the Gospel and, as a result, many, many souls were saved.
-Only eternity will reveal the full fruits of their labors.
-Let’s be respectful and appreciative of these men and their efforts. And, let’s continue the
restoration plea. It is still needed today.
-Why is it needed? Some are being taught doctrinal error. Others aren’t taught at all.
-What is necessary? the teaching of scriptural truth
-leaders, zeal, love for the truth, love for others
-We can have a restoration here in Sallisaw, OK. But, who does that depend upon? us