1. Welcome

2. The Restoration Movement
“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Jer. 6:16

3. The Church
God prepared - Eph. 1:4 “before the foundation of the world”
God presented - Gal. 4:4 “when the fullness of the time was come”
Man Departed
Roman Catholic Church

4. The Protestant Reformation
Men wanted to return to God’s plan
Leaders had been reared as Catholics
Tried to reform corruption they saw
Protestant Denominationalism
100’s of different groups

5. Restoring 1st Century Christianity
Why can’t we have Christianity like they did in the first century?
Can we not go back to the old paths and follow them?
Restoring 1st Century Christianity

6. Circumstances Increased circulation of Bible
Dissatisfaction with Human creeds
Sin of Division – John 17:20-21
Calvinistic doctrine
They desired unity
Total Depravity
Baby died – punished in hell
What does Bible teach ?

7. Christ as Supreme Authority
Principles
Christ as Supreme Authority
Matt. 28:18 NKJV “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
Let us speak where the Bible speaks
and be silent where the Bible is silent

8. Proper division between O.T. & N.T.
Principles
Proper division between O.T. & N.T.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15
Handling aright
Expound correctly

9. Recognize the N.T. Pattern of the Church
Principles
Recognize the N.T. Pattern of the Church
Book of Acts tells of the beginning
Church in 1st century was planned by God
Autonomy of the local church

10. Leaders in England Tottlebank -1600’s - “a church of Christ”
Lancashire – 1669 – eight churches of Christ
Scotland – 1735 – preacher named John Davis preaching N.T. Christianity

11. Leaders in America James O’Kelley – 1793 “Republican Methodists”
Christ as the only head
“Christians”
Bible as only creed

12. Leaders in America Abner Jones & Elias Smith Baptist Preachers
Wanted free churches
Rejected human creeds
Bible is rule of faith

13. Leaders in America Barton W. Stone – 1772-1844 - Kentucky Presbyterian
Had misgivings about doctrine
No “experience”
No “call” to preach
Assigned to Cane Ridge & Concord

14. Cane Ridge Church Building

17. Leaders in America Barton W. Stone – 1772-1844 - Kentucky
5 men formed “Springfield Presbytery”
“Last will and Testament of the Spring-field Presbytery”
Rejected titles “reverend”
Congregational autonomy

18. “Last will and Testament of the Spring-field Presbytery”
“We will, that this body die, be dissolved, and sink into union with the Body of Christ at large; for there is but one body, and one Spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our calling.” June 28, 1804

19. Leaders in America Barton W. Stone – 1772-1844 - Kentucky
Baptism for remission of sins
Baptism was by immersion
“Our duty is to teach the good and the right way.”

20. Leaders in America Thomas Campbell - 1807 Withdrew from Presbyterian
“Christian Association of Washington”
Let us speak where the Bible speaks
and be silent where the Bible is silent

21. Leaders in America Thomas Campbell - 1807 Rejected Infant Baptism
1809 “Declaration and Address”
Unity of the Church
Christian Fellowship
Terms of Communion
N.T. supreme authority

22. Leaders in America Alexander Campbell - 1809 Agreed with his father
1811 “Brush Run”
Infant baptism ?????
Wife had their first child
June 12, 1812 – all immersed

23. “Millennial Harbinger”
Leaders in America
Preacher
Debater
Writer
College
President
Alexander Campbell
Baptism was immersion
Presbyterians not happy
Baptists pleased
Later severed connection with Baptists
“Christian Baptist”
“Millennial Harbinger”

24. The Plea of the Restoration movement
“Speak where the Bible Speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent”

25. Many left denominationalism
The various groups came together to restore primitive
Christianity to the world.

26. The Restoration Movement
Some of the Leaders
O’Kelly
Smith
Jones
Stone
T. Campbell
A. Campbell

27. These were “men” who were trying to restore the church.
They are to be followed only as they followed Christ and His teachings.
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Cor. 11:1
We are not following any man.

28. Is it possible to have 1st century Christianity today?
Same seed will produce same fruit.
Luke 8:11 “The seed is the word of God.”
The seed, word of God, planted in good and honest hearts will produce the same as it produced in Jerusalem nearly 2000 years ago.
YES

29. Do we need a new religion ? NO !
Physical
Sun, air, water
Spiritual
The Church

30. The Restoration Movement
“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Jer. 6:16

33. Nelson Chapel Church of Christ
5039 Six Mile Road
Maryville, Tn
April 8, 2018
Sermon by Arthur Pigman
2705 Druid Hill Dr.
Maryville, Tn
CCL