Simply Christians  David L. Eubanks

Why Bother with the Brotherhood? Mike Shannon

Are You a Christian?   Gene Appel

Just Christians, Just Enough Mark Taylor

The in the 21st Century Robin Underhill

Keeping the Dream Alive   David Faust HAT by David L. DO Eubanks W you believe? From one per- spective the principle, “no but Christ, no Restoration book but the ,” and Unity should be an adequate Of course, the early answer to that question pioneers did not and a sufficient guide to know all the direc- sound doctrine. Be- tions that the path cause of much confu- they had chosen sion in today’s religious would lead them world, however, the when they began. It question deserves a led to the successful more detailed explana- promotion of the tion for those who hon- name “Christian” to estly want to know. the exclusion of sec- tarian names by Rice Early History Haggard among the of the Republican Method- Restoration ists in Movement and in 1794 With roots in the Brit- and the Presbyterians ish Isles, the Restora- of the Springfield tion Movement sprang Presbytery in Ken- to life in the United tucky in 1804. States about the turn of It led to the disso- the nineteenth century. lution of the Spring- The leading pioneer fig- field Presbytery and ures were such men as “union with the body and Abner of Christ at large” by Jones in New England, Barton W. Stone and James O’Kelly in others at Cane Ridge North Carolina and on June 28, 1804. It led Virginia, Barton W. the Brush Run con- Stone in , gregation associated Thomas and Alexan- with the Campbells in der Campbell in Penn- Washington County, sylvania and West Virginia, and Walter This call took many forms: “Where Pennsylvania, to weekly observance of Scott in southern Ohio. These men were the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Lord’s Supper beginning on May 5, all dedicated preachers in major denomi- the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.” 1811. It led to a soul-searching and Bi- national bodies. “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, ble-studied rejection of infant sprinkling With little or no contact among most liberty; in all things, love.” “Call Bible by Alexander Campbell on the occasion of them, these men and others around things by Bible names.” “No creed but of the birth of his first child, followed by them came to believe that a divided Christ, no book but the Bible.” “The the immersion of Thomas and Alexan- church did not conform to the will and Bible is our only rule of faith and prac- der Campbell in obedience to our Lord’s Word of God and that human , tice.” And “We are not the only Chris- command on June 12, 1812. however correct they might be in sub- tians, but we are Christians only.” These It led the Baptist churches of the stance, perpetuated sectarianism and statements were more than just clichés. Blue River Association in southern In- denominational barriers when they were They represented a firm determination diana to disband their association in made tests of fellowship. Our pioneer to accept the Scriptures as the only 1821 and unite with the “Christians leaders called people to the simple gos- authoritative rule, to reject sectarian only.” It led to the devel- pel of Christ, the authority of the Scrip- division, to work for the restoration opment of his simple five-finger exer- tures, the right of private judgment in of the ancient church in faith and prac- cise on the plan of salvation—faith, matters of opinion, and the unity of all tice, and to promote the unity of all repentance, baptism, remission of believers. believers. sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit and

This download originally appeared in the February 27, 2000 issue of Th e Lo o k o u t , a weekly magazine published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio. This resource was downloaded at www.standardpub.com. You may duplicate/print this download an unlimited amount of times for ministry and educational purposes. The purchaser, however, may not convey such rights to third parties or resell this product. ©2009, Standard Publishing. eternal life—by which thousands came Garfield’s Statement Lord’s Supper for all of the Lord’s children. to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ Because of the many inquiries that he 9. We plead for the union of God’s people on the Western Reserve in the years received concerning the views of this on the Bible and the Bible alone. 1827-30. It led to the union of the fast-growing movement, President James 10. The Christ is our only creed. Campbell and Stone branches of the A. Garfield wrote his classic statement, 11. We maintain that all the ordinances movement in the final days of 1831 “What We Stand For.” should be observed as they were in the days and a joint celebration of the Lord’s of the Apostles. Supper in Lexington, Kentucky, on 1. We call ourselves Christians, or Disci- New Year’s Day, 1832, because they ples of Christ. During the twentieth century, division held in common the essentials of the 2. We believe in God the Father. occurred within the ranks of the Resto- faith, in spite of differences over cer- 3. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the ration Movement. This division has had tain matters of opinion. Son of the living God, and our Savior. We re- many causes. In some instances, matters It sustained the movement through gard the divinity of Christ as the fundamental of personal preference have been ele- the Civil War without an open split in truth of the Christian system. vated to tests of faith. The silences of our ranks, although feelings ran strong 4. We believe in the Holy Spirit, both as to Scripture have been used to break fel- among people on both sides of the slav- his agency in conversion and as indwelling in lowship among believers. Others have ery issue. It allowed people to fellow- the heart of the Christian. cast aside the validity of the New Testa- ship together and consider each other 5. We accept both the Old and the New ment as the all-sufficient rule of faith brothers and sisters in Christ, while they Testament Scriptures as the inspired Word of and practice for the church. Denomina- differed over such matters as the use of God. tional respectability has been consid- organs in worship, paid preachers, 6. We believe in the future punishment of ered more important than the ancient closed Communion, missionary societ- the wicked and the future reward of the righ- gospel. In nearly all such cases, sectarian ies, and so forth. It led to a “free church” teous. pride has replaced the plea for the unity in a “free land” that multiplied twice in 7. We believe that the Deity is a prayer- of the church according to the doctrine the period from the Civil War to 1909, hearing and a prayer-answering God. of God’s Word. from a movement of 200,000 members 8. We observe the institution of the Lord’s While the Restoration Movement has to a fast-growing fellowship of nearly 1.5 Supper on the Lord’s Day. To this table we been hindered by such factors, the million people. neither invite nor debar; we say it is the Movement has not died. The reason for its persistence may be that it is not, and never has been, a structured organiza- tion; it is a free fellowship. Wherever in- Barton Warren Stone, 1772–1844 dividuals and congregations sincerely ORN IN COLONIAL MARYLAND, Stone grew up on the frontier in south- follow the New Testament as their only B ern Virginia. Converted while in college, he desired to become a Presby- rule of faith and order and practice the terian minister. He moved to the frontier in Kentucky in 1796 and began principle “in essentials, unity; in nones- ministering to two small churches, one of them at Cane Ridge. The great re- sentials, liberty; in all things, love,” the vival held there in 1801 changed his life and ministry. Movement continues to thrive, and con- Since the Presbyterian leadership opposed the revivals, Stone and others gregations are growing. left the Presbyterian organization and briefly formed their own presbytery. Concluding that this organization was also in error, they dissolved their In Essentials, Unity presbytery in The Last Will and Testament of the . The Fatherhood of God, the Messiah- This document emphasized their commitment to Chris- ship of Jesus, the facts of the gospel tian unity, biblical authority, and the autonomy of the (his death, burial, and resurrection), local congregation. the power and presence of the Holy Stone became the leader of a Christian Church move- Spirit, the inspiration and authority ment in the Ohio Valley. Although he had initially good re- of the Scriptures, the importance of lationships with the of New biblical names, the divine ordi- England/New York, he was more favorably drawn toward nances of baptism and the Lord’s union with the members of the Campbell Movement. A Supper, and the autonomy of the unification of Stone and Campbell followers occurred in church are some of the New Testa- 1832 as the two movements merged into one fellowship ment concepts that keep people of churches and members. Stone is particularly remem- united in Christ. bered for his commitment to Christian unity and his con- The fundamental truth of Christi- viction that the Bible is the only sure guide for the anity is the Messiahship of Jesus. church.—by Dr. James B. North, professor of church history at Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord under- Cincinnati Christian University. lies our entire relationship to God. It is the basis for every response in

This download originally appeared in the February 27, 2000 issue of Th e Lo o k o u t , a weekly magazine published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio. This resource was downloaded at www.standardpub.com. You may duplicate/print this download an unlimited amount of times for ministry and educational purposes. The purchaser, however, may not convey such rights to third parties or resell this product. ©2009, Standard Publishing. conversion. It is no wonder that when Christ commanded his apostles in Mark Thomas Campbell, 1763–1851 16:15, 16 to “go into all the world and preach the good news to all AMPBELL WAS BORN in Northern Ireland and ultimately became a min- creation,” he affirmed that “whoever C ister there of the Old Light, Anti-Burgher, Seceder Presbyterian Church. believes and is baptized will be saved, He became disillusioned about the church’s narrow views of fellowship and but whoever does not believe will be moved to America in 1807. But there he encountered the same views. condemned.” Faith in Christ as Lord He left the Presbyterians in 1809 and formed the underlies all else. Without it there is Christian Association of Washington (Pennsylvania), a only condemnation. group committed to church reform based on the au- From this perspective of justifica- thority of the Scriptures. He coined the motto, “Where tion by faith it is easier to understand the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures and explain with greater clarity the are silent, we are silent.” That same year he wrote the conversion accounts in the book of influential , a document that Acts. To the Philippian jailer of Acts continues to enunciate the guiding principles of the 16, who probably had never heard of Restoration Movement. Christ, possibly not even of Jehovah This document announces the priority of Christian unity God, but who asked what he must and the evils of church division. It also states that nothing do to be saved, Paul responded, “Be- can be made essential to the life of the church unless the lieve in the Lord Jesus, and you will Bible makes it essential. All other areas are in the realm of be saved—you and your household” opinions, where liberty and tolerance must be exercised. (v. 31). Responding in faith, the jailer Although his son Alexander soon assumed leadership and his household were baptized the of this group, it was Thomas who first set the direction for the Campbell same hour of the night. Years earlier the Movement. Thomas was known as a kindly patriarch who was committed to Ethiopian eunuch had responded to the eliminating divisions among Christians.—JBN same message by Philip, the evangelist. Convicted under Philip’s preaching on the Messiahship of Jesus from Isaiah 53, Faith is not left back at the first question in such Scriptures as Romans the eunuch asked what prevented his “step” in the plan of salvation; nor is it 14; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; 10:23–33; Gala- being baptized. He and Philip both then left in the water when one comes forth tians 4:9–11; 5:1, 13, 14; and Colossians went into the water, and the eunuch was from the grave of baptism. The apos- 2:16–22. In these texts he provides us baptized. tasy or falling away against which the with forceful declarations about free- Every active response in conversion author of Hebrews so sternly warns his dom of conscience in areas of private rests on faith in Christ as the Messiah of Christian readers throughout his letter judgment and clear lessons on the con- God. Acts of obedience are not, as Paul is no less than casting aside faith in duct of believers toward one another writes in Titus 3:5, “righteous things we Christ. Maintaining trust in him, on over such issues. The great apostle won- had done,” but expressions of faith by the other hand, continues to bring us derfully joins the twin virtues of freedom which we are justified in Christ and re- everything of eternal value. May we and responsibility. ceive God’s grace. Faith is as necessary to treat it preciously, guard it carefully, Underlying Paul’s teaching on this repentance as a change of heart, as vital and keep it faithfully. subject was the fundamental truth that to confession as the movement of the no human opinion could be joined with mouth, and as essential to baptism as In Opinions, Liberty the gospel terms as necessary for salva- water. In fact, without it repentance is But what about matters where the tion and the fellowship of the church. To only an emotional fling, confession mere Scriptures have not clearly spoken? Such the Galatians and Colossians he affirmed empty words, and baptism just a simple issues should be considered matters of that adding any requirements beyond bath. When we come to God in genuine opinion. those he had proclaimed was false doc- faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, however, re- An important key to the unity and trine and a denial of justification by faith penting, confessing, and submitting our- growth of the Restoration Movement in in Jesus Christ. selves to him in baptism, through the the nineteenth century was the determi- The church grows best when the faith regenerating power of the Holy Spirit we nation of the Christians who were a part is stressed and proclaimed, and opin- experience the marvelous transformation of it to maintain freedom of private opin- ions are held privately. This truth is vi- called the new birth. Paul beautifully de- ions. They refused to establish terms of tally needed today. scribes one facet of this experience when fellowship beyond the clear teachings of he writes to the Romans, “For it is with the New Testament. In All Things, Love your heart that you believe and are justi- Problems over opinions arose in the Most of the New Testament teaching fied, and it is with your mouth that you church of the New Testament, and the on the right of private opinion goes be- confess and are saved” (10:10). apostle Paul dealt clearly with this yond personal matters and treats our re-

This download originally appeared in the February 27, 2000 issue of Th e Lo o k o u t , a weekly magazine published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio. This resource was downloaded at www.standardpub.com. You may duplicate/print this download an unlimited amount of times for ministry and educational purposes. The purchaser, however, may not convey such rights to third parties or resell this product. ©2009, Standard Publishing. sponsibility to others. We are not to Alexander Campbell, 1788–1866 please ourselves, but to pursue a course that edifies, harmonizes, and unites. The ORN IN NORTHERN IRELAND, Campbell was raised as an Old Light, unity of the church can be maintained BAnti-Burgher, Seceder Presbyterian and immigrated to America in 1809. when love prevails among us. Disenchanted by denominational narrowness both in the British Isles and the Love is served and unity preserved United States, Alexander joined the movement initiated by his father, Thomas. when Christians refrain from judging His studies on baptism led him to adopt believers’ immersion, leading one another in matters of opinion. Some him to join the in 1815, in spite of the Baptists’ orientation toward tend to criticize and condemn those . Friction over the Baptists’ unwillingness to accept his views about who are inclined toward greater free- baptism for the remission of sins led the Campbell dom in those areas. Others who are Movement to leave the Baptists about 1830. more broad-minded in such matters As editor of the and later the Mil- tend to assume an attitude of sophistica- lennial Harbinger, Campbell attacked the traditions of tion and look down on, even ridicule, most denominations, and continually tried to restore more narrow-minded Christians. There “the ancient order of things,” the patterns of the New is no place for either attitude in the Testament church. In his publications, as well as in his church. The New Testament condemns five public debates, Campbell became nationally known both the unfair criticism by the scrupu- as an articulate and forceful religious leader. The union with the followers of Stone kept Campbell in position lists and the haughty contempt of freer as the primary leader of this composite group. By the Christians. time of his death in 1866 the movement he led had na- When an issue over opinions arises in tional status and scope. By any reckoning, he is consid- the church, the solution is not to be ered one of the most dynamic and significant religious found in insistence on agreement on a leaders of the nineteenth century.—JBN given view, but insistence on Christian love. Paul’s advice is still good: “Let us therefore make every effort to do what was a prayer for the world mission of the at times, the church had to be prodded leads to peace and to mutual edifica- gospel. He wants his gospel preached in that direction. Jesus’ commission to tion” (Romans 14:19). in “all the world . . . to all his apostles is our commission also: creation” (Mark 16:15). “Go and make disciples of all nations, Worldwide Evangelism The belief and practice of the church baptizing them in the name of the In his great prayer recorded in John of the New Testament included witness- Father and of the Son and of the Holy 17, Jesus prayed for the unity of his ing to faith in Christ “in Jerusalem, and Spirit, and teaching them to obey followers “to let the world know that in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto everything I have commanded you” you sent me” (v. 23). His prayer for unity the uttermost part of the earth” even if, (Matthew 28:19, 20). ■

Walter Scott, 1796–1861 Resources for ORN IN SCOTLAND and educated at the University of Edinburg, Scott Further Study B came to America in 1818. Arriving in Pittsburgh the next year, he came under the influence of a church of Scottish immigrants who were identified with Books: the teachings of Robert and James A. Haldane of Scotland. Here Scott was intro- Marshall Leggett, Introduction duced to the commitment to the New Testament as the primary precedent for to the Restoration Ideal (Standard church life, as well as the idea of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. Publishing, 1986). After meeting Alexander Campbell in 1822, he and Campbell became lifelong James B. North, Union in Truth: friends. It was Campbell who introduced Scott to the Mahoning Baptist Associa- An Interpretive History of the Res- tion in northeastern Ohio. When this group was toration Movement (Standard looking for a full-time evangelist to travel and preach, Publishing, 1994). they hired Scott for the purpose. Here Scott devel- Henry E. Webb, In Search of oped a preaching style that focused on the “five-fin- Christian Unity: A History of the ger exercise,” a simple way to explain the gospel. Restoration Movement (Standard People must believe, repent, be baptized, and they Publishing, 1990). will receive remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit and eternal life. This simple evangelistic tool led Scott to baptize approximately 1,000 people a year during an active 30-year ministry. He is mostly David L. Eubanks is retired president remembered for his contribution toward the restora- of Johnson Bible College in Knox­ville, tion of apostolic preaching.—JBN .

This download originally appeared in the February 27, 2000 issue of Th e Lo o k o u t , a weekly magazine published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio. This resource was downloaded at www.standardpub.com. You may duplicate/print this download an unlimited amount of times for ministry and educational purposes. The purchaser, however, may not convey such rights to third parties or resell this product. ©2009, Standard Publishing. Why Bother with the

by Mike Shannon Brotherhood?

I really love my church and what it then. It means there is no other group A Worthwhile Commitment stands for, but I get frustrated over I would feel comfortable affiliating I will not leave the brotherhood be- some of the arguments and issues with. cause I still believe in its ideas. We may that dominate the discussion in the need a fresh articulation of those ideas, fellowship of which my church is a A Rich Fellowship so they may be understood and em- part. I want to just be a Christian. There are several reasons I love this braced by a new generation, but the Is it really important to affiliate movement. One is the marvelous heri- concepts are still valid. What is our with a particular group of believ- tage. I had heard the principles of the brotherhood? We are not united by ers? Jesus is most important. movement preached from the pulpit, some denominational structure. We are and when I first read the writings of not united by some human document. am a member of the Christian Thomas and Alexander Campbell, I Primarily what unites us is our commit- churches and , as was thrilled. Much of what people pro- ment to the cause of Christ, but our I are a great number of readers of Th e test, I believe, is a third- or fourth-gen- unique contributions center around a Lo o k o u t , so I will answer with reference eration corruption of the ideas of the set of ideas that are precious to us. I will to my own group. Campbells. Later I delved into the writ- admit, we don’t always live up to those ings of Barton Stone. Although I previ- ideas. Is there any human enterprise A Charitable Attitude ously knew about him and what he that lives up to its ideas perfectly? I will While I have something in common stood for, I had made no careful study admit many show little interest in these with all who love Jesus, I also love the of his ideas in his own words. Once ideas and others claim to know them movement of which I am a part. I cannot again I was thrilled. His passion for the but are grossly inaccurate in their under- imagine a scenario in which I would ever gospel of Christ and Christian unity standing of them. Still, I believe in them. leave the Restoration Movement. I must jumps off the page and serves as a I still believe in unity, based on the Bible. confess that I approach this subject with great motivator. Many of the ideas of I still believe in freedom in matters of some degree of prejudice. I am a third- the Stone-Campbell movement that opinion. I still believe in the Bible alone generation Christian church preacher. I were once considered outrageous are as our rule of faith and practice. I still have never believed in biting the hand now widely accepted in the wider believe that the ordinances, baptism and that fed me, and this movement has fed Christian world. Communion, should be performed as me well. I have never assumed that I had Another reason I will not leave is be- they were in the days of the apostles. to agree on every single point to be part cause of the rich fellowship I enjoy right Those who hold some of these views of a religious group. In fact, one of the now. I really like and respect my col- who belong to other faith groups are things I love about the Restoration leagues in the ministry. Everywhere I go, not ashamed of these ideas, nor do they Movement is our conviction that you I find people who care about the lost. I apologize for them. I can have some don’t have to agree on every point. regularly meet ministers both old and things in common with all who love and When I try to imagine where else I young who genuinely want to make a embrace our Father, his Son, and his would feel comfortable, I can’t think of difference in the world and in Christen- Word. But the Restoration Movement is a group I would rather belong to. Any dom. This joy goes beyond the fraternity my home. I will not be dissuaded by other group produces more ideas I of preachers. I could list elders, deacons, those who are sectarian, critical, cynical, would disagree with. This does not Sunday school teachers, college and or simply uninterested. The Restoration mean I can’t have charitable and profit- seminary professors, and other servants Movement is my home, and I am not able relationships with people from who do remarkable work for the king- planning to move. ■ other groups, nor does it mean I can’t dom. They are part of this movement, learn something from them now and and I will not desert them. Mike Shannon is chairman of the practical ministries department at Cincinnati (Ohio) Christian University.

This download originally appeared in the February 27, 2000 issue of Th e Lo o k o u t , a weekly magazine published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio. This resource was downloaded at www.standardpub.com. You may duplicate/print this download an unlimited amount of times for ministry and educational purposes. The purchaser, however, may not convey such rights to third parties or resell this product. ©2009, Standard Publishing. Are You a

by Gene Appel Christian?

T’S ONE OF THE greatest joys I flesh. Jesus was not just a rep- have in life. Nothing compares to resentative of God. He was not the experience of baptizing people just someone who taught Iwho have become so enamored by about God. Jesus was not just a the person and work of Jesus Christ that positive energy force. Jesus they choose to receive him as their Sav- was God. He was fully human ior and leader. Their enthusiasm is gen- and fully deity all at the same uine. Their joy is infectious. Their faith is time (Colossians 2:9). simple. And their lives and souls are Additionally the Bible transformed forever. teaches that Jesus died on the It happened again today—Mom, Dad, cross as a substitute for our sin. and their 17-year-old son. Contrary to Remember when you were in what some skeptics may believe, these school and your teacher was people were not weak and in need of a sick, and you’d get a substitute crutch. Nor had they put their brains on teacher for the day? The substi- the shelf to follow blindly a piece of an- tute teacher took the place of cient folklore. another. When a football player Rather, this educated and professional gets injured, a substitute goes family had carefully examined the claims into the game for him. and the evidence for the person of Jesus When Jesus died on the Christ and decided that they wanted to cross, he died as our sin substi- become his followers—Christians. tute. God made him who had Maybe after your own investigation of no sin to be sin for us Jesus Christ that’s what you’ll want too. (2 Corinthians 5:21). We were the ones who deserved to die Some Marks of a on the cross for our foul-ups Christian and sins against a holy God, So what is a Christian? but Jesus died in our place. follow. You are receiving a person you First, a Christian is someone His resurrection from the dead follow. who humbly receives Jesus Christ verified his claim to be God in the flesh. You are baptized into Christ, not a in the way prescribed in the New You can go to the tomb of Confucius, human organization. You are becoming Testament. Mohammed, Lenin, or Buddha, and a Christ-ian. Not a church-ian. Not a The Bible says in John 1:12, “Yet to you’ll find a body. But go to the tomb of denominational-ian. Simply a follower all who received him, to those who be- Jesus Christ and it’s empty. of Jesus Christ. lieved in his name, he gave the right to When you become a Christian, you This decision takes a great deal of become children of God.” are receiving Jesus Christ who was God humility. Over the years I’ve watched Before you can receive Jesus Christ, in the flesh, died as a substitute for your many people struggle to come to faith in you first must have an accurate sin, and rose from the dead. Christ and most of the time the biggest under­standing of his basic identity. Some Becoming a Christ follower does not roadblock is not a lack of credible evi- say Jesus was a prophet. Some say he was mean you are receiving a particular reli- dence for the identity of Jesus Christ, only a good moral teacher. Some say he gious denomination. You are receiving a because there’s plenty available for was a created being. relationship with God. Neither are you those willing to seriously investigate. The Bible teaches he was God in the receiving a list of human-made rules to The biggest roadblock is just plain

This download originally appeared in the February 27, 2000 issue of Th e Lo o k o u t , a weekly magazine published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio. This resource was downloaded at www.standardpub.com. You may duplicate/print this download an unlimited amount of times for ministry and educational purposes. The purchaser, however, may not convey such rights to third parties or resell this product. ©2009, Standard Publishing. old-fashioned pride. It’s hard to humble yourself and admit you need God in your life and a Savior for your sin. It’s hard for some professional people to say, “I’m a doctor, I’m a professor, I’m a CEO, I’m a business owner, but I still need Jesus Christ.” People who work in the construction trades might say, “I work around some pretty rough people. They’d think I’ve gone soft.” I’ve been around a lot of construction people in the past year as our church has finished a building proj- ect, and I notice they do talk about God and Jesus a lot! Jesus said it takes the faith of a child to enter the kingdom of God. Humble ment he received Jesus Christ, God in the only hours before on his prisoners Paul faith was what a jailer in the town of flesh who died as a substitute for his sin and Silas. Philippi was willing to express when and rose from the dead. True repentance begins with a convic- confronted by the claims of Jesus Christ Second, a Christian is someone who tion and brokenness about sin. (Acts 16:30–33). At a desperate moment genuinely repents of his past. Years ago I walked into a room where he asked his prisoners, Paul and Silas, Receiving Jesus Christ is just the start- our three- and five-year-old daughters “What must I do to be saved?” They said, ing point of becoming a Christian. were playing. There on the white-car- “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will When a dishonest tax collector named peted floor was a spilled cup, oozing out be saved.” And immediately he and his Zacchaeus became a follower of Christ, some lime-green jelly-like paste. Our family were baptized. not only did Jesus extend salvation, but girls know they are not supposed to take That took humility. He probably feared Zacchaeus responded, “If I have cheated food or drink onto that carpet. And this what the other guards and government anybody out of anything, I will pay back was not just any spill. This was a concoc- officials would say. But in a humbling mo- four times the amount” (Luke 19:8b). tion of about three spoonfuls of pow- Zacchaeus made a change in his life. dered drink mix for every spoonful of He broke from his sinful past and water. So I went to them and asked who started heading in a new direction. did it. They were very mature about it; True repentance says, “With God’s each said, “She did it!” help I’m going to do my best to go a After further investigation I just had new direction, to follow a new com- the intuitive sense that I knew which pass in my life.” one it was, even though neither of them When the people of Jerusalem would admit it. So I went to this par- were cut to the heart over their sin ticular daughter and turned up the and asked Peter on the day of Pente- heat. “Honey, did you do this? Now tell cost, “What shall we do?” the first Daddy the truth.” She just shook her word out of his mouth was “repent” head back and forth sideways. I said, (Acts 2:38). “You’re not going to get in trouble if When a man named Saul, who had you tell me the truth. There’s going to persecuted and murdered followers be no time-out. No spanking. I just of Christ, became a Christian, he im- want to know the truth. Did you do it?” mediately went into synagogues and Again, she shook her head no. After started telling people about Jesus. He about five minutes she finally broke repented. and admitted her sin. When the Philippian jailer became You would think, knowing she wasn’t a Christian, he immediately demon- going to get in trouble and her daddy strated his repentance by bandaging would forgive her, she would tend to and tending to the wounds inflicted just act as if nothing had happened and

This download originally appeared in the February 27, 2000 issue of Th e Lo o k o u t , a weekly magazine published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio. This resource was downloaded at www.standardpub.com. You may duplicate/print this download an unlimited amount of times for ministry and educational purposes. The purchaser, however, may not convey such rights to third parties or resell this product. ©2009, Standard Publishing. go on. But immediately after she came That’s repentance. Brokenness over Some Tools for clean, tears started welling up in her sin and then a genuine change, walking Transformation eyes. She went to pieces and ran out of in a new direction in the grace and free- You might be thinking, “I can’t do that. the room. Why? Because she was un- dom of Jesus Christ. I can’t change like that. I don’t have the done by her past. Because she knew she A Christian is someone who humbly power.” You’re exactly right. You don’t, had disappointed her daddy. receives Jesus Christ, genuinely repents but God does. Here are three ways he is That’s conviction and brokenness over of his past, and third, openly reflects a going to help transform your life. sin, the beginning of true repentance. transformed life. “Therefore, if anyone First, with a transforming book. True repentance also involves a is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old The Bible is unlike any other book sincere change in behavior. Truth be has gone, the new has come!” you have ever read in your life. Second told, this is what keeps many people (2 Corinthians 5:17). Timothy 3:16, 17 (New Living Transla- from receiving Jesus Christ. They just tion) says, “All Scripture is inspired by don’t want to change. God and is useful to teach us what is “But, I’m just kind of a late-night, true and to make us realize what is club-hopping, party guy. I’m just a la- wrong in our lives. It straightens us dy’s man, Gene. That’s who I am.” out and teaches us to do what is right. “But, you can’t survive in business It is God’s way of preparing us in every without cutting a few corners, hiding way, fully equipped for every good a few things from Uncle Sam here and thing God wants us to do.” there. How else could I be competi- What other book can make those tive?” claims? The Bible can help your faith Repentance means no more “Buts.” grow through tough times, under- Repentance calls for a change. stand God’s will in confusing times, I got this letter recently from a resist sin in tempting times, and en- 21-year-old single mother. I share it rich your soul in empty times. with her permission. God also has made available to you a transforming power. Gene, I wanted to write this letter Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began about your sermon, ‘The Single and Safe a good work in you will carry it on to Sex.’ Your message touched me in a truly completion until the day of Christ deep place. I am 21 years old and in the Jesus.” process of a divorce. I have two children Sometimes people who are think- ages five and two. Obviously I had them at 16 and 18. They have different fathers ing about following Christ say, “I can’t and that’s a long story in itself. I never do that. I can’t change my old habits, realized the hurt that I would cause my- my language or my behavior.” But self when I was falling in love and trying through the power of his Spirit, God to find acceptance from boys who were When a baby is first born everybody gives you the power to change what you more than willing to give me a sense of always asks, “Well, who does he think can’t be changed. love. look like?” And at first it’s hard to Additionally God gives you the oppor- My heart has been broken and I wish tell, because neither parent really looks tunity to live in a transforming that young girls could feel the hurt I’ve felt like a wrinkled up prune! community. just for five minutes so they could choose But over the years kids often start to We don’t make this transformational to keep themselves pure. I believe that resemble their parents. People often tell journey in isolation. We don’t do it by waiting until you’re married to have sex can me how much I look like my mom. ourselves. God gives us a community of be one of the most trying choices in one’s As the years go by, and as we are trans- life, but I’m convinced that the payoff other people transformed by Christ. would be unimaginable. formed by Jesus Christ, we ought to re- This is the church. I plan to trust God with my life from here flect him more and more. People ought In Acts 2 we discover 3,000 people on. . . . I want to thank you for your message to see the qualities of Christ (love, joy, humbly receiving Jesus Christ and genu- (no matter how hard it was for me to listen peace, patience, kindness, goodness, inely repenting of their past. It says, to). I had already made the decision about faithfulness, gentleness, and self-con- “Those who accepted his message were my sexuality before this message, but it re- trol) growing in us. baptized, and about three thousand were ally gave me a sense of optimism. added to their number that day. They

This download originally appeared in the February 27, 2000 issue of Th e Lo o k o u t , a weekly magazine published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio. This resource was downloaded at www.standardpub.com. You may duplicate/print this download an unlimited amount of times for ministry and educational purposes. The purchaser, however, may not convey such rights to third parties or resell this product. ©2009, Standard Publishing. devoted themselves to the apostles’ of his past, and openly reflects a trans- and be baptized, and allow yourself to teaching and to the fellowship, to the formed life. be transformed by his book, his power, breaking of bread and to prayer” (v. 42). So ask yourself, “Am I a Christian?” and his people. The chapter goes on to describe how The cross of Jesus Christ (who was You can go to the airport, walk to the they were doing God in the flesh, gate, and believe that the plane can this in large-group died as our sin take you to Hawaii or wherever it is you meetings (in the God gives you the substitute, and want to go, but until you step onto the temple courts) and rose from the plane, it can’t take you anywhere. You small-group meet- power to change dead) is the place have to take the step to get on board. ings (breaking where every sin, Nobody can become a Christian for bread in their what you think every wrong de- you. homes). They can’t be changed. cision, every re- Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who found themselves gret we have in are weary and burdened, and I will give drawn together as life can be erased. you rest ” (Matthew 11:28). ■ brothers and sisters because of their Anyone, no matter what you’ve done, common faith in Jesus Christ. can become a follower and completely Gene Appel is senior minister of East- A Christian is someone who humbly forgiven and freed from your past, but side Christian Church in Fullerton, receives Jesus Christ, genuinely repents it’s up to you to receive him, repent California.

Just Christians, Just Enough by Mark Taylor

h e c k t h e “c h u r c h e s ” listing in any ministers in your town, and you’ll find Some have decided to turn away from Ccity’s Yellow Pages, and you’ll find doctrinal differences too crucial to be centuries of ecclesiastical maneuvering a confusing mess. Page after page of compromised. Who was Jesus? What is and denominational bickering to be names will assault you, many of them too the Bible? Why do we live, and what “just Christians.” long to fit on one line. Why so many la- about life after this one? Surely conflict- You can count the writers and editors bels? Why so many differences? Who’s ing answers to these questions can’t all of Th e Lo o k o u t among that number. In responsible for this division? If all of these be right. People cannot worship to- fact, this magazine comes from a whole churches are really seeking the same gether if they cannot agree about whom company dedicated to the idea that “just God, why must they take so many differ- they’re seeking, and why. a Christian” is just enough. It’s not sur- ent paths to find him? Some of the differences are historical. prising that this special issue is dedi- Part of the answer is cultural. We live in Doctrinal disagreements centuries ago cated to this theme, because it has been a day when people demand choices, and have been magnified and calcified Standard Publishing’s goal for more than this isn’t all bad. Large church. Small through two millennia until today. And 13 decades. church. Urban church. Country church. now many whose families have been in We challenge you to decide what you Pipe organ and hymns. Guitars and cho- church for generations cannot turn away want to call yourself, and why. We believe ruses. Each appeals to a different crowd. from the opinions and traditions of their we will all grow closer to Christ—and to Each can reach some people who might forefathers. each other—if we will settle for his name otherwise ignore the message. Each is a Many, but not all. Some have decided alone. Can any of us suggest a good rea- matter of style, not substance. We can that man-made labels to categorize son why we need anything more? ■ feel good about much of this variety. Christians are not good or necessary. But this is only the beginning. Part of Some have decided that “Christian” is Mark Taylor is editor of Christian the answer is theological. Interview the the only ID a follower of Christ needs. Standard in Cincinnati, Ohio.

This download originally appeared in the February 27, 2000 issue of Th e Lo o k o u t , a weekly magazine published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio. This resource was downloaded at www.standardpub.com. You may duplicate/print this download an unlimited amount of times for ministry and educational purposes. The purchaser, however, may not convey such rights to third parties or resell this product. ©2009, Standard Publishing. The Restoration Movement in the st by Robin Underhill 21 Century

NE WEDNESDAY NIGHT in prayer for the unity of his disciples in These young people may be, in the the early 1980s the choir di- John 17. words of John Piper, “not too impressed Orector of our church in south- While many churches are reaching with the user-friendly God of their par- ern Indiana suggested we learn an “seekers,” some older members are ents.” They say to their friends, “What appropriate hymn for a special occasion. concerned about changes that seem to you need is to be blown away by the ho- She was surprised that only a couple of downplay the historic strengths of the liness of Almighty God.” us knew it. We told her that it must have movement. I, too, have concerns, but I only been popular with the Free Meth- am encouraged to see that members of Biblical Answers odists, her church heritage. That insti- the next generation appreciate the A similar generational tension existed gated a rather entertaining conversation ideas and emphases of the Restoration in the 1960s. One philosopher referred about the differences in our individual Movement. to the unrest and desperation of the church histories. Baptists, Methodists, One of my college students wrote, “It ’60s as “a search for the sacred.” (That Presbyterians —only five out of 20 of us may turn people off to tell them about may not be exactly how you remember had been in a Christian church or church joining a movement, but they will surely it.) The unrest appeared to be about of Christ all of our lives. A few had be- find the principles attractive and Jesus freedom and love, but I think it was come Christians later in life and had little and his church [attractive]. . . . I am about disappointment. Where was the or no previous church experience. We driven on by the prayer of Jesus in John church? Finding little of religious sig- realized we were not the only Christians, 17.” Sometimes in the closing hours of nificance going on in the mainline but we appreciated being part of a a class I teach on the history of the Res- churches, and other churches answer- church that invited us to be “Christians toration Movement, the students ex- ing questions no one was asking, many only.” press frustration because their began to think the answers to their I have spent 44 years in Restoration congregation did not teach them about questions were best found in psychol- Movement churches, although I cannot the history and mission of the church. ogy and sociology. remember the first few years very well. Other students, from a different church Many members of today’s genera- In all of my church experiences we gath- heritage, criticize those of us who are tion, however, are highly motivated by ered from a variety of Christian heri- “Christians only” because we have not compassion and community so they tages. At our present church in Maryland, put more effort into teaching and are naturally drawn to Jesus and his Catholics, Baptists, long-time-out-of- demonstrating our plea for unity and church. They are looking for and church people, and not-ever-really-in- biblical authority. expecting biblical answers. They ask church people are filling the pews. Our Another student wrote, “If Jesus hard questions. One of my students in- preacher and others have commented prayed for this [that his disciples would spired me with the idea that the “Res- about how often they hear statements be one], why can’t we think of it as pos- toration Movement needs to stay like “I have been looking for a church sible? . . . If we find people who have confused and tense enough to be hum- like this for a long time.” People are at- passion for the movement’s message of ble. . . . Once you think you have it fig- tracted to congregations that are com- hope and truth, the church could be ured out, the tendency is to be critical mitted to being “Christians only,” and changed forever.” of those who haven’t.” Another student they appreciate biblical authority for the These 20-somethings and their said, “We need to stop trying to bring church’s doctrines and practices. younger siblings have grown up in a people from other congregations into postmodern there-is-no-truth environ- ‘our churches.’ Once they have a grasp Searching for Truth ment. Yet they are still looking for truth of New Testament , leave The historic plea of the Restoration and a church that is secure enough to them where they are so they can teach Movement is still as attractive as Jesus’ say, “The Bible is the Word of God.” others.”

This download originally appeared in the February 27, 2000 issue of Th e Lo o k o u t , a weekly magazine published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio. This resource was downloaded at www.standardpub.com. You may duplicate/print this download an unlimited amount of times for ministry and educational purposes. The purchaser, however, may not convey such rights to third parties or resell this product. ©2009, Standard Publishing. Experiencing Something meaningful and teach the gospel incred- when taking Communion. Then Chris- Special ibly well to a generation that wants to ex- tians only partake. . . .” In a world of religious division, spiri- perience something special with God. Here is a summary statement from the tual confusion, and competing theolo- In Christianity Today (February 3, next generation of church leaders: We in gies, it is not only possible to be just a 1997) millennial kids described the wor- the Restoration Movement are either Christian—it is preferable. An emphasis ship service they prefer. After hearing going to fragment ourselves into disinte- on unity and biblical authority is refresh- someone preach from the Bible (“the gration or teach with grace the plea of ing to the frustrated seeker. We enjoy a sermon is to the point and only 15 min- the movement. These young leaders are heritage of biblical preaching at a time utes long”) the members of the congre- expecting the church to flourish. ■ when the next generation is hungry for gation pray for one another. They take the truth. Preaching the Bible is still effec- Communion. But first “a chapter from Robin Underhill is assistant professor tive. It will always be effective. Baptism the Bible is read out loud so the people of history at the University of Delaware, and the Lord’s Supper are personally understand what they are really doing Georgetown campus.

Keeping the Dream Alive by David Faust

o l d i l o c k s h a s a l o t of company. In in power-plays instead of shepherding to basic biblical practices like the apos- Gthe search for a church, you may the flock with humility and love. We’ve tles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of have discovered that some churches turned our backs on each other when bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). seem too hard—they bash and bruise we should have been serving Christ Regrettably, sometimes the movement people with the truth. Others seem too shoulder-to-shoulder. hasn’t appeared to “move” at all. We’ve soft—they love people, but don’t teach So what should we do? Throw up our acted as if our forefathers completed God’s Word with conviction and power. hands in despair and give up on the the task and we can simply rest on their Where can you find a church that’s “just church? accomplishments. right”? No. If we love Jesus, we can’t give up But the work of restoration is ongo- No perfect congregations exist this on the church. Christ is the foundation, ing, and it’s more than just a set of ideas. side of Heaven. But we can still dream! the head, the Savior and Lord of his God’s goal is restoring people. He wants By faith we can see the church’s poten- church. Even when it’s flawed and to restore our souls (Psalm 23:3). He tial as well as its problems. We can see struggling, it’s his church, the one he calls us to gently restore others caught in the church as it is, but also dream about promised to build (Matthew 16:18). sin (Galatians 6:1). When we’re faithful what the church can become by the It’s our church, too. Sinners saved by in this work, “the God of all grace” prom- power of God. grace, we are knit together by God’s ises to restore us and make us “strong, Let’s face it. Too often Christians Spirit into “a chosen people, a royal firm, and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10). have separated into quarrelsome fac- priesthood, a holy nation, a people This isn’t just our history. It’s our tions and sects, though Jesus prayed for belonging to God” (1 Peter 2:9). mission: the restoration of lost people our unity. We’ve crystallized our theo- What is the Restoration Movement? and the ongoing reformation of the logical opinions into tests of orthodoxy, On one level, it’s about lofty ideals like church so we can accomplish the task. though Jesus warned not to replace unity and truth. But it’s also the excit- These ideals need to be understood, God’s commands with man-made tradi- ing down-to-earth story of ordinary embraced, explained, and passed along tions. We’ve quarreled over petty issues people who love the Lord, serve those to future generations. when we should have been reaching in need, plant new churches, send mis- Keep the dream alive. ■ out to a lost world. We’ve treated the sionaries throughout the world, and church like a political organization or a feed the flock of God. Sometimes we David Faust is executive editor of Th e social club instead of acting like the refer to the movement as a “plea”—a Lo o k o u t and president of Cincinnati body of Christ. Leaders have engaged passionate call for Christians to return Christian University.

This download originally appeared in the February 27, 2000 issue of Th e Lo o k o u t , a weekly magazine published by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio. This resource was downloaded at www.standardpub.com. You may duplicate/print this download an unlimited amount of times for ministry and educational purposes. The purchaser, however, may not convey such rights to third parties or resell this product. ©2009, Standard Publishing.