Christianity in America (1800-1840) Don’t Forget Your Heritage  Deut. 6:4-12  Josh. 4:19ff; 24:14-15  Judg. 2:10 Early Restoration Efforts  One can read of those in England who were products of the Reformation movement who had a deep respect for Bible Authority  They wanted to follow Scripture and it alone

Situation in 19th Century America  Denominations were rampant  No spirit of brotherhood: each church believed it alone would be saved; did not receive others into their fellowship  Creeds bound denominational disciples together Barton W. Stone (1772-1844)

 Ordained to preach in the Presbyterian Church  Moved from NC, to preach in Concord, KY (north of Lexington) Creeds  Presbyterians: Westminster Confession of Faith  1798 at Cane Ridge: “Do you receive & adopt the Confession of faith, as containing the system of doctrine as taught in the Bible?” Stone’s Reply  “I do, as far as I see it consistent with the Word of God.”  His reply was ambiguous.  Year: 1801  Location: Near Paris, KY – about 18 miles northeast of Lexington Modern Building at Cane Ridge

The Cane Ridge Revival  Attendance: Army Corp of Engineers estimated 20-30,000  Lasted three weeks  People were working their way out of denominationalism, but were still influenced by its doctrines (bizarre Pentecostalism) The Springfield Presbytery  Conflict with the Presbyterians over censuring some preachers who rejected portions of their Confession of Faith led to Stone breaking away and, with others, formed another presbytery – the Springfield Presbytery (Sept. 10, 1803).  This group abandoned all authoritative creeds, clinging only to Scripture The Last Will & Testament of the Springfield Presbytery

 Became convinced that the Bible did not authorize the presbytery  Wrote an important document: The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery (June 28, 1804). Item 1 of the Will  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. Item 2-3  Item. We will that our name of distinction, with its Reverend title, be forgotten, that there be but one Lord over God’s heritage, and his name one.  Item. We will, that our power of making laws for the government of the church, and executing them by delegated authority, forever cease; that the people may have free course to the Bible, and adopt the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Item 4  Item. We will, that candidates for the Gospel ministry henceforth study the Holy Scriptures with fervent prayer, and obtain license from God to preach the simple Gospel, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, without any mixture of philosophy, vain deceit, traditions of men, or the rudiments of the world. And let none henceforth take this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. Item 6  Item. We will, that the people henceforth take the Bible as the only sure guide to heaven; and as many as are offended with other books, which stand in competition with it, may cast them into the fire if they choose; for it is better to enter into life having one book, than having many to be cast into hell. Growth of the Movement  Expanded rapidly  Stone’s Paper: THE . The Christian BY BARTON W. STONE, Messenger AN ELDER IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.

"Prove all things: hold fast that which is good.--PAUL.

GEORGETOWN, VOL. I.] KY. NOVEMBER [NO. 1. 25, 1826. Stone died in Hannibal, MO on November 9, 1844; His body was subsequently moved to Cane Ridge where this memorial is erected. Thomas Campbell (1788-1866)  Ordained as Presbyterian Preacher  An Old Light, Anti- Burgher in the Seceder Branch  Moved to US in 1807 (Bethany, WV)  Brought family over in 1809  Disappointed in sectarian division in US Churches

Trouble With the Presbytery  Campbell invited all “Christians” to participate in Lord’s supper  His preacher’s license was suspended  Saw the evil in creeds Searching for the Truth  “Where the Bible speaks; we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent” (cf. 1 Pet. 4:11).  Alexander Munro, who was in the audience, said, “Mr. Campbell, if we adopt that as a basis, then there is an end of infant baptism.”  Campbell replied, “Of course, if infant baptism be not found in the scriptures, we can have nothing to do with it” (Earl West, Search for the Ancient Order I:47-48). New Beginnings  Broke away from Presbyterians and formed the Washington Association  Wrote the (Sept. 7, 1809)  Unity plan: “In essentials unity; in non-essential liberty; in all things love.” Alexander Campbell (1788-1866)

 Joined his father in 1809  Agreed with Declaration and Address Alexander Campbell Home, Bethany, WV Campbell’s study

Grave Marker for Alexander Campbell Working Out of Denominationalism

 Reached conclusion that his infant baptism was unscriptural  Baptized on June 12, 1812 in Buffalo Creek and organized the  Joined the Redstone Baptist Association (1812) Trouble With The Baptists  Sermon on the Law (1816): OT not binding on Christians  Left Redstone Baptist Association and formed Mahoning Baptist Association (1823)  Association disbanded (1830) Campbell’s Debates  Campbell-Walker Debate (1820): subject and mode of baptism.  Campbell-McCalla Debate (1823): infant baptism. Campbell developed the idea that baptism is for the remission of sins and, therefore, not applicable to infants.  Campbell-Owen Debate (1829): atheism.  Campbell-Rice Debate (1843): creeds, baptism, work of the Holy Spirit in conversion. Campbell’s Papers  The (1823-1829)  The (1830-1870) Alexander Campbell Founded Bethany College March 2, 1840 (1796-1861)  Ordained in Presbyterian Church  Taught at Pittsburg, PA  Met Campbell in winter of 1821-1822  Both were studying baptism and coming to the same conclusion: baptism is “for the remission of sins” The Five Finger Exercise Supported by Mahoning  Hear Association to preach  Believe Scott boldly preached what  Repent Campbell and others had  Confess concluded  Be Baptized

He was an outstanding speaker – baptized thousands!

Walter Scott’s Paper: The Evangelist (1835-1840) Unity With Believers  The Stone and Campbell movements united in Lexington, Kentucky when “Raccoon” John Smith extended the right hands of fellowship to Barton W. Stone.  The two movements resolved to let there no longer be “ or Stoneites, New Lights or Old Lights, or any other kind of lights,” but to come together on the basis of the Bible which would yield “all the light we need” (Tucker and McAllister, Journey in Faith 152). Truths Learned

 No creed but Christ (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3-4)  Elijah Goodwin: I answer, let the Bible, and the Bible alone, be adopted as the Christian’s creed. What the Bible says, all believe. Let opinions be held as private property, while faith is made the test of union (The Family Companion 422). Truths Learned  No creed but Christ (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3-4)  The difference between the OT and NT (Eph. 2:14-16; Col. 2:14-17; Heb.; Gal.)  Water baptism (Mark 16:15-16):  Its action: Immersion (Rom. 6:3-4)  Its purpose: Remission of sins (Acts 2:38)  Its subject: Penitent believer (Acts 2:38) Truths Learned  Restoration of the NT Church (1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 4:9; 2 John 9-11)  Unity through restoration (John 17:20-21) Truths Learned  J.M. Mathes: If all would consent to give up their human isms that now divide them, we should come together in happy union upon God’s own foundation. . . . I, therefore, propose the “Bible ‒ the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible” as the platform and bond of union. In making this proposition, I offer a platform, that you all acknowledge the best one on earth; nay, the only one that is infallible. . . . In accepting it, no one is called upon to make more sacrifice than others. All are required to sacrifice their human isms, and those party names and sectarian peculiarities, which distinguish one sect from another, and all are required to take the word of God alone as the rule of their lives (The Western Preacher 145,150). N.B. Hardeman: I would God to-night that all professed followers in the city of Nashville, Tennessee, and elsewhere, would be content to have but the Bible as their creed, their discipline, their church manual, their church directory, their rule of faith and practice throughout life. There would be oneness on the part of all the splendid people of this great country. . . . I pledge my word and promise myself to-night, if the man will thus show me that God’s book does not plainly demand it, I will gladly surrender and give that up that the cause of division may cease. . . . When I announce that platform, it is not narrow, it is not limited, it is not human; but it is big enough, broad enough, wide enough, and comprehensive enough for every son and daughter of God on earth to occupy and none feel that in so doing they have had to sacrifice a single principle of faith. . . . Take your stand on God’s book and eliminate all things that are not plainly taught therein; and when you so do, I will gladly come to you and take my stand with you, if there be any preference as to which way the coming is done (Tabernacle Sermons II:185, 186, 187).

Now, for the sake of unity, why not give up that which is in doubt in the minds of some, and walk by faith, and by that which is conceded by every scholar on earth? (Tabernacle Sermons III:146). Truths Learned  Restoration of the NT Church (1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 4:9; 2 John 9-11)  Unity through restoration (John 17:20-21)  Man can understand the Bible – alike (Eph. 3:1-5; 5:17; 1 Cor. 4:17) Heirs of a Spiritual Heritage  These were spiritual leaders who called men back to the Bible  They are not authoritarian figures  Their writings are not inspired  But, we can learn from these great teachers