The Church, the Falling Away, and the Restoration

THE CHURCH, THE FALLING AWAY, AND THE RESTORATION

A CALL TO NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF CHURCH HISTORY

33 AD 33

100 AD 100 AD 606

1500 AD 1500 AD 1780 AD 1900

EVANGELIST/ELDERS DEACONS THE LORD’S WAY MEMBERSHIP The Bible Has Not Changed

BISHOP ELDERS

DEACONS ORGANIZATIONAL

MEMBERSHIP

DOCTRINAL

LITURGICAL

KNOX

WESLEY

PIONEERS OF THE RESTORATION MOVEMENT 3 Michael A. Brown Ministries, LLC © 2016  Understanding the Historical Context  The American colonial period and the quest for independence  The relationship between political and religious unrest  Initial Seeds & Issues of Restoration  The Matter of Authority  The Matter of Organization  The Essentiality of Baptism  The Proper Mode of Baptism

 Historically, the issue stems from thoughts of scriptural sanction for beliefs and practices.

 Restoring and maintaining the pattern that God reveals for the church is a biblical principle (1 Kings 12:25-13:34; 2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 29-31).

 It is an issue of authority. Who or what gives anyone the right to teach and practice something in the name of the Lord?

 We are continuing to wrestle with this even among Churches of Christ.

 The two groups decided to join efforts on January 1, 1832.

 They were known as “Disciples of Christ”, “Christian Churches” and “Churches of Christ”.

 The movement enjoyed tremendous success. It was the fastest growing indigenous American church – growing to one million members before the year 1900.

 By 1906, a definite split occurred in the movement.

 Disciples of Christ (northern based) 982,701 members.

 Churches of Christ (southern based) 159,658 members.

 Additional splits over One cup communion, congregationally located preachers, legitimacy of Sunday school, pre-millennialism, and race relations.

 From 1906 to 1941, Churches of Christ went on to experience dramatic growth – going from 159,658 to 600,000 members. Today’s number approximately 1,183,613. THE STONE - CAMPBELL MOVEMENT 9 Michael A. Brown Ministries, LLC © 2016  Where do you draw the line of fellowship?

 When a Christian group is purposely violating Scripture (2 John 1).

 When Christian individuals is are purposely violating Scripture (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5).

 What About the Apollos’ Cases?

 Continue dialogue over Scripture (Acts 17:11; 16-17).

 Show humility, and be willing to receive sincere challenge (1 Peter 3:15).

 Restoring and maintaining the pattern is a biblically sanctioned approach (1 Kings 12:25-13:34; 2 Kings 22).

 Its dangerous to shirk the responsibility to examine the scriptures to know that right way (1 Thess. 5:21; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1-3; Jude 3-4).

 God must be reverenced, and we show this by seeking His sanction for all that we believe, for all that we teach, for all that we practice, and for how we live.