RESTORATION DECLARATION: “What Do You Mean, Restoration Movement?” by Robert Mallett (The Christian Restoration Association) Within the United States, as well as around the world, there is a growing number of people who have come to be known as Christians only. Their congregations are simply called Christian Churches or Churches of Christ. The uniqueness of this group lies in its desire to restore the church of the New Testament, not in its form of dress, mode of transportation, or in the language spoken or read, but in its doctrines, ordinances, and faith. Because of this position, this purpose to restore, we have come to look upon ourselves as the RESTORATION MOVEMENT. This movement is not just another denomination, since we have not chosen a denominational or man-made name, creed, or book of doctrine. Our name, as individual members, is Christian and as congregations, Churches of Christ or Christian Churches. As these terms are scriptural and based upon the Word of God, we can honestly claim to be Christians only. We are not the only Christians; we are Christians only! As to our creed (from the Latin credo, meaning I believe) we believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God, as Lord and as Savior. Our book of doctrine, or list of beliefs, is simply the Word of God. Thus as one man has expressed it, We have no creed but Christ, no book but the Bible, no name but the name Christian. Not only are we non-denominational, but in reality we are not even Protestants. The word Protestant is derived from the protesting of the followers of Martin Luther against the decision of the Diet of Speier in 1529 which denied liberty of worship to the reformers. Later other groups in turn broke with the Lutheran, Presbyterian, or other denominations, protesting some part of their doctrine. As a result, these protesters went on to form still other denominations. As a Restoration Movement we have not broken with any particular group in an attempt to protest or reform. The early participants in this movement consisted, instead, of those who broke from a variety of denominations and religious groups. They did this, not in an attempt to reform any particular denomination, but rather in an effort to restore the original church of the New Testament. With the passing of time there have arisen those who would have us believe that such a restoration is no longer possible-that the New Testament church and primitive Christianity cannot be restored. The facts reveal, however, that a restoration is not only possible but also practical and scriptural. Equally important, it is BEING DONE! (TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK)
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 22:01:37 +0000
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