Sermons
How Well Do We Know The History of The New Testament Church-Lesson ten
HOW WELL DO WE KNOW THE HISTORY OF THE N.T. CHURCH
- Lesson Ten -
INTRO:
Good evening. Tonight we will conclude this series of lessons on the history of the New Testament church. As last time, we will be looking at the years of the Restoration Movement. There are those who contend that the restoration and the church of Christ in particular was started by Alexander Campbell. We read about some glimpses in history of records of the Lord’s church far earlier then the time of Campbell. If history is of interest to you I would recommend the book “Traces of the Kingdom” by Keith Sisman.
I. When we talk about the restoration there are FOUR basic PRINCIPLES of the RESTORATION that we notice.
A. Now in earlier lessons we saw the purpose of the reformation movement was to reform Roman Catholicism – (the reformers accomplished some good but a lot of evil). Out of that Reformation Movement has come over 30,000 denominations around the world. Christ said there would be one church.
1. However, the purpose of the restoration movement - was to return to New Testament Christianity.
2. The restoration movement was not an attempt to reestablish the church! The restoration movement showed that the church, the kingdom, was already in existence by anyone and everyone who would hold to the sacred writings of the scriptures. You see, it was there, people just had to find others who were of the same mind. The movement was designed to return to the “old paths” and to walk there in.
B. These then are the four basis principles that are seen in this period:
1. First is that New Testament is the Only Authoritative Rule of Faith and Practice. It is A Pattern. In God’s word in II Timothy chapter three verses 16 and 17 says All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. The Bible is the only standard of our authority.
2. Second, and this follows on the first, Renunciation of All Human Creeds which are divisive by their very nature. Which creed are you following? Are you following the Apostles Creed or this creed or that creed? These are written by man and they are divisive.
3. Third, the Restoring of the Apostolic or New Testament Concept of the church in the Minds of Men. Some people decide let’s go back to the original. Did the congregation do this? Yes, they did, so let us now go forward in that manner to worship and teach and learn. That was establishing it in the minds of men.
4. Fourth, the Union of All Christians upon the Basis of the Bible. We are unified in the church that Christ built when we’re following the Bible and the Bible alone. Folks, we don’t have to have a sign out there in the front that says church of Christ. We don’t have to have that sign to be united with other members of the body of Christ around the world. That’s important. A sign does not make us. It is our attitude toward the scriptures that unifies us in Christ Jesus.
C. These are the same principles that we strive for even today.
II. Let’s look at a few men who were Involved in this Movement, there are many more we will not look at.
A. Many of these names are not well known names during this time period, yet they are all part of this all important historic period in church history.
B. Some of you may have heard the name James O’ Kelly (1735-1826)
1. He was a Methodist preacher who worked in VA & NC. A lot of the Restoration Movement is found in NC, VA, TN, KY and OH.
2. Francis Asbury was appointed as head of the American Methodist Church and he was a most difficult person to follow. His methods were harsh. It was "his way or no way! He appointed where preachers should preach and what they should preach.
3. O’Kelly appealed to Asbury that the conference make changes in the procedure. Bishop Asbury had this policy: You’re paid, you’re trained and you obey. The appeal was made to the conference and the appeal was denied – O’Kelly & 4 others separated themselves from the Methodist Church and the conference.
4. In 1793 they formed the Republican Methodist Church. Remember what I told you—that these are baby steps. They recognized that the conference has no power and no authority and decided they are going to do something different. They formed something that was wrong, but in 1794 they rejected this name & declared the Bible was sufficient as their only guide.
C. One of the people with James O’Kelly was a man named Rice Haggard. In 1804 Rice attended a meeting of the Springfield Presbytery, He says in speaking of the Bible: “Brethren, this is a sufficient rule of faith and practice. By it we are told that the disciples were called Christians and I move that henceforth and forever the followers of Christ be known as Christians alone.” You see, people who read the scriptures will find that. They wanted to only be called Christians.
1. After Haggard made his suggestion, a man by the name of Haverity stood up and moved that they take the Bible as their only creed.
2. On June 28, 1804 the Springfield Presbytery wrote “The Last Will and Testament of The Springfield Presbytery”. You can find this in the biography of B.W. Stone, pages 51-55. In this they wrote (and I excerpt):
i. That this body should be dissolved and sink into union with the body of Christ for there is but one body, and one spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our calling.
ii. They resolved to preach the simple gospel, with the Holy Spirit, without any mixture of philosophy, vain deceit, traditions of men, or the rudiments of the world.
iii. They willed that the church of Christ resume her native right of internal government, try her candidates for the ministry as to their soundness in faith, gravity and aptness to teach with no other authority but Christ speaking in them. That they look up to the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers and the church resume her right of trying those who say they are apostles and are not.
iv. They willed that each particular church as a body choose her own preacher and support him by a free-will offering without calls or subscriptions. Admit members, remove offenses and never delegate her right of government to any man or set of men whatever besides the local elders under Christ.
v. They declared the Bible as the only sure guide to heaven.
vi. They willed that preachers and people cultivate a spirit of mutual forbearance, pray more and dispute less.
vii. They willed that all their sister bodies read their Bibles carefully, that they may see their fate there determined, and prepare for death before it is too late.
3. From this was devised what is known as the Five Cardinal Principles of Christianity.
i. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Only Head of the Church.
ii. The name Christian to the exclusion of all party and sectarian names is alone to be adopted.
iii. The Holy Bible, . . . the Old and New Testaments is the only creed, and a sufficient rule of faith and practice.
iv. Christian character, or vital piety, the only test of church fellowship and membership.
v. The right of private judgment and the liberty of conscience, the privilege and duty of all.
D. Another Movement was started way up north in New Hampshire by Elias Smith - 1769-1846.
1. He was baptized into the Baptist Church in 1789. He was a studious young man. One who was serious in his studies, but he became concerned over the subject of baptism and realized that he needed to be immersed. Not for the remission of sins, but he needed to be immersed to be a member of the Baptist Church which he did in 1789.
2. In Spring of 1802 he rejected all of Calvinism, most of which there were five tenants we talked about earlier in the lessons.
3. He found the name of followers of Christ to be Christians and Christians alone. “In the spring of 1802, having rejected the doctrine of Calvin . . . I found the name which the followers of Christ ought to wear; which was Christians (Acts 11:26)” “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Smith found that if you read the Bible you will find what God wants you to do.
4. He left the Baptist church and worshiped with 5 members in a rented hall. This is often what happened during the Restoration Movement. They were small in number. What happened was they were rejected by the majority as just being crazy people.
5. Their rented hall burned down. They then began to meet in a school house where they grew in number. “When our number was some short of twenty, we agreed to consider ourselves a church of Christ, owning Him as our only master, Lord and lawgiver, and we agreed to consider ourselves Christians, without the addition of any unscriptural name.” “My mind being fixed upon this as the right name, to the exclusion of all the popular names in the world, in the month of May, at a man's house in Epping, N.H. by the name of Laurence, where I held a meeting and spoke upon the text, Acts 11:26”
6. From that day on, Elias Smith proclaimed Christ as the one and only lawgiver sufficient for all things.
7. How did Smith come to that knowledge? The word of God just like Josiah, just like Nehemiah.
8. Remember we are seeing that this is happening around the nation. They often don’t know what’s happening in other places. They didn’t have rapid communication like we do today. 1803: Smith was visited by a medical doctor and former Baptist preacher – Abner Jones. Smith realized that Abner Jones was more conservative and more correct in his understanding of the scriptures than he was.
E. Abner Jones - (1772-1841)
1. 1801: Broke away from the Baptist church in Lyndon, Vermont emphasizing the need to return to New Testament authority. That is something that Elias Smith didn’t. He knew he was looking at the scriptures, but he didn’t look at the New Testament as the authority whereas Abner Jones did.
2. He and others rejected human names and contended for the absolute authority of the New Testament.
3. In 1803 Elias Smith and Abner Jones joined forces and established churches free of denominational affiliation. Remember what Elias Smith had determined their group was going to be called? The church of Christ with the exclusion of any other name. You see, we are not church of Christ Christians. We are Christians. That’s it.
III. There were many independent movements like this. I’m going to mention a few.
A. At the Old Philadelphia Meetinghouse in Viola, Tennessee, south of McMinnville.
1. A group of citizens came together with the desire to worship.
2. 1805 or early 1806 they came together from NC.
3. They united on the Bible alone.
4. Two years later some of the members moved down the Cumberland Gap into North Alabama at Bridgeport, beginning the work at Rocky Springs.
5. Rocky Springs still meets to this day.
6. It is the oldest church in the state of Alabama.
7. This work began where none of the members had heard of Alexander Campbell or Barton W. Stone.
8. As an aside, there is a list of noted ministers at Old Philadelphia between 1805 and 1940, including David Lipscomb.
B. There was an Indiana Movement around 1800.
1. Under the leadership of John Wright.
2. He was a member of a German Baptist Group.
i. Known as the “dunkers”
ii. They “dunked” people, “immersed.” A German word for “immersion.”
3. His Theology
i. Began comparing Baptist doctrine to other Baptists, saw inconsistency.
ii. Searched the Scriptures for comparison, found all Baptists differed from truth.
iii. Came to feel that the Lord’s Supper should be taken on 1st day of every week.
iv. Different from what Baptists were doing. He thought baptism was essential to eternal salvation, but initially “not necessarily for remission of sins.”
a. Note: He later learned otherwise.
b. This still was contradictory to Baptist doctrine.
4. His Actions.
i. He ended up taking 16 congregations away from the Baptists, near Salem, Indiana.
ii. Called the new groups churches of Christ.
5. He had never heard of Campbell or Stone when he did these things.
i. He showed that one can obey God by obeying the Bible - Romans 10:17
ii. He showed the importance of study is fundamental - 2 Tim. 3:16
C. Morrison, Tennessee 1810 has an interesting history.
1. The history of the Lord’s Church in Morrison dates back to the settlers in Vervilla about 1800. Several people from various faiths were without a religious leader and simply turned directly to the Bible itself for their guide. By 1810 they were worshipping as one body, a church different from any they had known before, subscribing to no creed, and wearing no distinctive name. They called themselves “Christians” and designated the church only, “The church of Christ.”
2. They learned, contrary to former belief and practice, that baptism was a burial and for the remission of sins, and began to practice it in that manner and for that purpose.
IV. Alright, let’s look now at Barton W. Stone - (1772-1844) and what is called the Stone-Campbell movement.
A. 1790: Joined Presbyterians & began to preach in NC.
B. Moved to Cane Ridge, KY - ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church
C. As he preached – he appealed directly to the Word of God – doubted the scripturalness of the Confession of Faith found in the Presbyterian Church.
D. Soon he rejected the doctrine of total depravity and Calvinism.
E. He began to preach the universal truth of the gospel and faith as a condition of salvation
F. In 1801: Cane Ridge held a revival – (this was the end of August and the beginning of September) it was estimated that a group of between 20,000 to 30,000 people attended. This was not a church of Christ Gospel Meeting. This was a Presbyterian revival.
G. It was during this time period that Stone found things which were noticeably different between his understanding of scripture and what was being practiced.
1. As a result of differences – Stone and 4 others withdrew from the synod.
2. They formed their own Presbytery. These are some of the baby steps I talked about. They know there’s something wrong and the first thing they do is step out of the pot and right into the fire. They made for themselves this new Springfield Presbytery. If you want to read the things that disturbed him, it had to do with the way people were being converted. People were convulsing, falling down and groaning and that was the way they determined if you were saved or not. Page 34 of his biography.
3. The Springfield Presbytery – drew up a document - the “Apology of the Springfield Presbytery” denouncing creeds.
4. 1804: they recognized their error and dissolved: and wrote The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery which I read earlier. It was dissolved because they opposed all human creeds and opted for the all sufficiency of the scriptures. They denounced anything that was not found in God’s word.
5. By 1808 Stone was suspended by the synod but continued to preach anyway at every opportunity he had.
H. It is only later that Thomas Campbell and Barton W. Stone met each other and actually found out that they had something in common. That being, they were both trying to do what is in God’s word.
I. Folks, these men were here in the United States long before Alexander Campbell ever set foot here. Alexander is the son of Thomas Campbell and Alexander was still back in England.
V. Thomas Campbell - (1763-1844)
A. Presbyterian preacher in Ireland. Because of failing health determined to seek a home in this country.
B. 1807: He came to America- the Seceder Synod assigned him to Chartiers Presbytery in Southwestern PA.
C. He preached things contrary to Presbyterian doctrine - Opposed all human creeds - Contended for all-sufficiency of the Bible. His problem was that the Seceders constituted one of the strictest sects of the Calvinistic faith.
D. 1808: Thomas Campbell was suspended by the synod but continued to preach wherever he could. He concluded one of his sermons with these words - “Where the Bible speaks, we speak, and where the Bible is silent, we are silent,”
1. A statement about which Andrew Munro said – “If we adopt that as a basis, then there is an end to infant baptism.” Speak where God’s word speaks and be silent where God’s word is silent then all this other stuff that has come in will be rejected.
E. Now the Seceders were not very numerous within the limits of the Chartiers Presbytery and it was written that “the power of expansion was not in them”. So Thomas quickly gained a wide and strong influence.
1. He did not limit his efforts to the narrow spirit and strict, illiberal rules and habits of the Seceders.
2. On a missionary tour up the Allegheny Valley he found many others from his homeland both Independents and Presbyterian. He invited all the pious from among his hearers who were prepared for it, to unite in the participation of the sacred feast of God’s people. Open communion in other words.
3. He illustrated no regard for sectarian differences and prejudices and so it was found that he was not sound in the Seceder faith. Therefore he was censured by the synod. Thomas was a peaceful man but would not yield to any human authority against his convictions in matters of serious import.
F. There is a “Declaration and Address” that Thomas Campbell wrote in 1809 concerning the unity of the church which includes “in faith unity, in opinion liberty, in all things charity.” A lot of these statements are attributed in the historical world to Alexander Campbell, but they’re not his. They were actually his father’s. For those who don’t know church history will not know this part.
G. The Declaration & Address along with The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery serves as a bridge from the divided world of denominationalism to the church of the New Testament. These documents are not creeds, they should be viewed as structures to be admired and studied by those wishing to understand the history of the New Testament chruch.
VI. G. Alexander Campbell (son of Thomas) - (1788 - 1866)
A. Like many today he did not examine the Bible or search from its pages to find out the will of the Lord. He united with the church of his father, and because his father was a Presbyterian he became one.
B. 1809: Alexander came to America two years after his father.
C. He reunited with his father shortly after his arrival. Thomas Campbell because of his independence and distaste for creeds was by then teaching the will of God as he then saw it independent of denominational restrictions and Alexander joined him.
D. Step by step he advanced into an understanding of Christ. He examined every tenet of faith and act of worship as how it related to scripture viewing the Bible as his guide and the word of God as his supreme authority. The subject of baptism began to trouble him.
1. He soon became convinced that there was no Scriptural authority for infant baptism. Alexander learned the action was immersion. True to his conscience he gave up the teachings of the Presbyterian Church.
2. He learned that confession of faith should precede baptism and not the relating of an experience.
3. Alexander and six others were baptized June 12, 1812 by a Baptist preacher – Matthias Luce. -
E. He was at this point in full accord with the Baptist Church on what was called "the mode of baptism," and out of harmony with the Presbyterian Church. He soon discovered that he was out of harmony with the Baptist Church on its creed as well as much of its practice.
F. Aligned for awhile with the Redstone Association of Baptists – he debated with Presbyterians the mode of baptism.
G. In his debates he pressed that baptism was for the remission of sins and was not to be administered to be a member of the church.
H. He was charged with heresy, but acquitted
I. 1823: Withdrew from Redstone & joined Mahoning Association publishing for a time, 1823 to 1830, the Christian Baptist and trying to reform the Baptist church.
J. By 1830: Found his association there to be unscriptural as well & dissolved the association
1. When accused of starting a new denomination he wrote: "I have no idea of adding to the catalogue of new sects. I labor to see sectarianism abolished and all Christians of every name united upon the one foundation upon which the apostolic church was founded. To bring Baptists and Paedobaptists to this is my supreme end."
2. It is contrary to fact and contrary to all reliable history to state that Alexander Campbell founded the "Campbellite Church" or any other church. He did no such thing, and those who so state contradict the facts of truthful history. He simply called upon people to take the New Testament as their guide and the church of the New Testament as the only church which is authorized by the word of God.
3. He said : “But a restoration of the ancient order of things is all that is contemplated by the wise disciples of the Lord, as it is all that is wanting to perfection, happiness, and glory of the Christian community . . . ”
VII. I need to introduce one more person here, an uneducated Baptist preacher born in 1784 in East Tennessee named John Smith. He was later known as “Raccoon” John Smith. John’s parents were forced to leave Virginia because at the time the established religion was Episcopal. Baptists were despised, hunted and persecuted for their heretical refusal to have their children baptized. The family moved to Kentucky when John was 12.
A. Following the beliefs of his father, John tried in vain to “get religion” that is to have a calling, a religious experience. Finally he turned to the Bible. He wanted to preach but felt no “call” only the strong desire.
1. John presented the matter seriously to the brethren in the following way: "Brethren, what shall I do? I must preach; I cannot preach if I do not study the New Testament." He was told that the Lord would give to him what he should say.
2. About that time John began reading the “Christian Baptist” by Campbell and was led to a fuller appreciation of the New Testament teaching.
3. When Campbell was speaking in Kentucky Smith went to hear him and was astounded at the clarity of the scripture Campbell presented.
B. Through the help he received from Mr. Campbell and an earnest, prayerful rereading of the New Testament Scriptures, Smith saw that the Baptist Church was not the church of his Lord and that the theories which were preached by Baptists were not the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. He renounced the Baptist faith and embraced the faith of the gospel. It was quite a task to turn away from such a large and popular brotherhood as the Baptist Church in Kentucky and become identified with a despised and weak religious body. However, he did not hesitate to make the sacrifice. He did it with joy in the newfound truth of the gospel.
2. He devoted himself faithfully to the preaching of the gospel, laboring hard to get others to accept the truth, and his labors were not in vain. He was able to get entire congregations of the Baptist faith to turn away from their creed and theories and accept the Bible and work and worship as it directed.
3. He was happy in this great work. He could preach the gospel with convincing power in a unique way. Few could withstand or resist the truth as presented by him.
4. His unique way of handling a subject reached the hearts of the people of that rural section of the country where he lived. He did a work among them that no other man could do.
5. This he did without the promise or hope of any earthly reward or financial aid. He thus labored for the love of the truth and the salvation of souls.
C. He preached at Sparta, Tennessee, before a number of lawyers and judges. Afterwards he was asked if he was not very much embarrassed in the presence of such learned men. He replied: "Not in the least; for I have learned that judges and lawyers, so far as the Bible is concerned, are the most ignorant class of people in the world,... except for Doctors of Divinity."
VIII. The Growth and the Uniting Forces of the Restoration Period. What we are seeing is that the independent movements, all started by the realization that the Bible should be the only standard, were becoming very aware of each other. Through the publications that were made—connections were formed.
A. In the process of this flowering, grew the realization of the existence of only one church, one authority, and only one people of God—Christians.
B. 1824: Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell met for the first time. At first when they compared views it seemed they were irreconcilable. However, these two men took great care to examine their differences carefully and found that these differences were more imaginary than real.
C. Out of this grew a desire for a friendly conference. The first meeting in 1831 at Georgetown continued for days right through December 25 and was so successful that they decided to meet again in Lexington on January 1, 1892.
D. In attendance were Barton Stone, John Johnson, Samuel Rogers, G.W. Elley, Jacob Creath, “Raccoon” John Smith and many others—firmly guarding themselves against any chance of compromise of the truth. They were mindful also of John 17:21 – “That they all may be one; as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
E. “Raccoon” John Smith was selected to speak first. He began: “God has but one people on the earth. He has given to them but one Book, and therein exhorts and commands them to be one family. A union such as we plead for—a union of God’s people on that one Book—must then be practicable (practice-able). Every Christian desires to stand complete in the whole will of God.”
F. He concluded with these words: “For several years past I have stood pledged to meet the religious world or any part of it, on the ancient gospel and order of things as presented in the words of the Book. This is the foundation on which Christians once stood, and on it they can, and ought to, stand again”.... “Let us, then, brethren, be no longer Campbellites, or Stoneites, New Lights, or Old Lights, or any other kind of lights: but let us all come to the Bible, and to the bible alone, as the only book in the world that can give us all the light we need.”
IX. God had for his purpose, brought together in this time period, when methods of communication were opening, in a place relatively free of religious persecution, where men of good conscience could study the Word, free of the shackles of state religion, and come to the understanding of the church that Christ built, the church of the New Testament.
A. This was not the founding of a church. Christ had founded His church and the New Testament church is protected and preserved by God no matter when you are in history. Those who hold to the unadulterated Word of God will be the church that belongs to Jesus Christ.
B. One of the things that is very important to notice from the observation of history, is that where two or three were gathered together in the name of Christ, where two or three took the word of God and the word of God alone, and did what was found in that work, is that the church that belongs to Jesus Christ was formed. It’s very simple.
C. The very same thing is true today. You might not have any association with roots around the world, but where two are three are gathered together in His name and take His word as their absolute standard of authority and do what is in there—they are Christians. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
D. This movement is what I call the forward facing movement of history because these people were not looking back at the Catholic Church. They were looking to the restoration of the original. That was a concept that was not found in the Reformation Movement which was a looking back to correct the Catholic Church. These people were looking forward to making sure that the original was restored. No original is in need of change. God’s word doesn’t need to change. It is the hearts and minds of men who need to change back to His written word.
E. My appeal to you this today is: If you find that you are not a child of God and that you are following some doctrines, something that is outside of God’s word, won’t you change your heart? Restore it rather than be like the children of Israel in Jeremiah who said: We will not.
F. Let us be of the mindset: Let’s follow the Old Paths. Let us walk in them and let us be faithful to our God in all things all the days of our lives like Josiah.
G. Does it mean if we do that we will be perfect? Certainly not. Let me ask you; were those congregations in the New Testament perfect? What does God say?
1. The church of Ephesus - Revelation 2:4 – “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” They were doing some things right, notable things, yet were forgetting their first love.
2. The church in Smyrna – Revelation 2:10 – ““Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” They were doing right yet were going to need encouragement to stand strong.
3. The church in Pergamos – Revelation 2:14-15 – “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam.... 15. “Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” They were doing things well and standing strong against persecution yet there were those among them in error.
4. The church in Thyatira – Revelation 2:20 – “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.” They were growing in works, love, service, faith and patience yet had one practicing evil. Christ says He has given her time to repent but she did not. Then in verse 24 – “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan as they say, I will put on you no other burden.”
5. The church in Sardis – Revelation 3:1 – “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” Sad, sad to hear this. Yet in verse 4 – “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” Even in this dead body there were a few, 2 or 3 perhaps that were righteous.
6. The church in Philadelphia – Revelation 3:8 – ““I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” They do not have a lot of strength but are faithful and He will send help.
7. The church of the Laodiceans – Revelation 3:15 – “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.” A self satisfied congregation. They think they need nothing yet they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.
H. Were these congregations in the church of Christ, the church that belongs to Christ? Certainly they were. This is Christ speaking to them through John. Hebrews 12:6 – says: “For whom the Lord loves he chastens” Were they perfect? Absolutely not but they were still the church that belongs to Christ.
CONCLUSION:
People are confused when they look for a place to worship God. Sometimes people in the religious world will tell others that "There is nothing you have to obey." They will say that "You only need to believe." But I want you to listen to the words of 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 where Paul, in writing to those at Thessalonica says, "and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. " He is describing the Day of Judgment. He says that some people are going to receive rest, some people are going to receive punishment. Now look at that last part again...and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."
We must obey the gospel. Obeying the gospel can be summed up in five short words:
Hear,
Believe,
Repent,
Confess,
and be baptized for the remission of sins.
Somebody asks; "What does that mean, explain that." First, a man must hear the gospel. He hears that because of his sin he has transgressed the will of God and is destined to die eternally in Hell. (Romans 6:23) "The wages of sin is death." He also hears that Jesus Christ came as God in the flesh to pay the penalty for sin so that he does not have to. He hears that, salvation is found in Christ. Romans 10:14 asks “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?”
Next, upon hearing it he must also believe it. What must a man believe? He must understand that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God. In John 8:24 Jesus said, "If you believe not that I am He, you shall die in your sins." He must understand that Jesus is deity. (John 1:14) "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." He must believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) " He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said." (Matthew 28:6) “our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” (2 Timothy 1:10).
Roman 10:9 says, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Of course, it is crucial, that a man believe and understand that the body of Christ is the church of the New Testament. 2nd Timothy, 2:10, says, "salvation is in Christ."
Then a man must repent. Acts 17:30 - "Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent." Repentance is a change of mind brought about by Godly sorrow that results in a change of life. That is so important to understand. Sometimes people will say, "Repentance is merely changing your life." That is not a good definition of repentance. Repentance is changing your mind. Of course, that is followed by a change of life.
Then, step number four. A person must confess his faith in Christ. Romans 10:10, clearly tells us, "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." In Acts, chapter 8, as Philip was teaching the gospel to the Ethiopian, he said, "See here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Philip responded to the Ethiopian and said, "If you believe with all of your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God." That is the confession we are talking about.
Not a confession of our sin, but a confession of what we have heard and what we believe. It is an acknowledgment. "Yes, I believe these things."
Now finally, involved in obeying the gospel, one must be baptized. In Mark 16:16, Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." We know, baptism as practiced by First Century Christians was total immersion.
In fact that is the meaning of baptism. It is the point at which a person is immersed in water and the point at which he contacts the saving blood of Jesus. It is the point at which he has finally obeyed the gospel. Romans 6:3-4 says, "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." We are buried in the watery grave of baptism. Jesus shed his blood in his death. In baptism we are buried into his death. We contact that saving blood of Christ and our sins are washed away. That's why we come out of that watery grave of baptism to walk in newness of life.
Once you have done those things, Acts 2:47 says the Lord will add you to the church.
Friends, the church that belongs to Christ still exists today just as it did in the First Century.
Yes, some people misunderstand the church of Christ. They think that it is "just another denomination" along side a string of denominations, but I can assure you that the church of Christ has; no earthly head, no legal hierarchy, it wasn't started by any man, and it follows no man-made creeds or practices.
The church of Christ just follows the New Testament pattern found in the Bible. We meet on the first day of the week to take communion. We sing accapella, the way the church did in the first century. We pray, we study the Bible together. We hear preaching together. We encourage and edify each other. We give financially according to how God has blessed us. Christ is our only head. The church is composed of elders and deacons and evangelists and members just as it was 2000 years ago. We abide only in the doctrine of Christ. We cast away all man made doctrines and creeds. We are Christians only. Are we perfect? No.
We are not advocating that anyone leave their denomination to join another denomination.
What we are advocating, is that people leave all denominations and simply be a part of the one church that belongs to Christ, the one that existed hundreds of years before the denominations. The one that we read about in the Bible.
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If we can help you in any way here this evening won’t you come while together we stand and sing.
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Reference Sermon - John Cripps
1) The Reign Of The New Testament Church
• In Prophecy – Isaiah 2:2-3
• In Preparation – Matthew 16:13-18
• Its Establishment – Acts 2:1-47
• Its Existence – Hebrews 12:22-29
• Its Destination – 1 Corinthians 15:24-29
2) The Spiritual Nature Of The New Testament Church
• A Spiritual House – 1 Timothy 3:15
• A Spiritual Temple – Ephesians 2:19-22
• A Spiritual Assembly – Hebrews 12:23
• A Spiritual Body – 1 Corinthians 12:13
• A Spiritual Kingdom – John 18:36
3) The Divine Relationship Which Exists Between Christ And The New Testament Church
• The Builder – Matthew 16:18
• The Purchaser – Ephesians 5:25
• The Head – Ephesians 5:22-32
• The Foundation – 1 Corinthians 3:11
• The Savior – Ephesians 5:23
4) The Divine Relationship Which Exists Between The NT Church And Christ
• The Bride – Ephesians 5:23-32
• The Body – Colossians 1:24
• The Kingdom – John 18:36
• The Flock – Acts 20:28
• The Candlestick – Revelation 1:12-20
5) The Divine Names Of The NT Church
• The Church of God – 1 Corinthians 1:2
• The Church of Christ – Romans 16:16
• The Church of The Firstborn – Hebrews 12:23
• The Church – Ephesians 3:10
• The Kingdom – Matthew 16:19
6) The Biblical Names Of The Members Of The NT Church
• Christians – 1 Peter 4:16
• The Children of God – Gal. 3:26
• Brethren – Gal. 6:1
• Saints – Romans 1:7
• Disciples – Acts 11:26
7) Membership Into The NT Church
• Hear – Romans 10:17
• Faith – Hebrews 11:6
• Repentance – Acts 17:30-31
• Confession – Acts 8:37
• Baptism – Acts 2:38
8) The True Worship Service Of The NT Church
• Communion – Acts 20:7
• Prayer – Acts 2:42
• Singing – Ephesians 5:19
• Giving – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
• Preaching – 2 Timothy 4:1-4
9) The True Organization Of The N T Church
• Elders – 1 Timothy 3:1-7
• Deacons – 1 Timothy 3:8-13
• Preacher(s) – 2 Timothy 4:1-5
• Teachers – Hebrews 5:12-14
• Members – 1 Corinthians 12:23-27
10) The Purpose Of The NT Church
• To Evangelize – Matthew 28:18-20
• To Restore – Gal. 6:1
• To Worship – Matthew 4:10
• To Serve – Hebrews 12:28-29
• To Minister – Gal. 6:10
11) The Divine Authority Of The NT Church
• Christ Our Saviour – Luke 2:8-13
• Our Mediator – 1 Timothy 2:5
• Christ Our Lawgiver – Matthew 28:18-20
• Christ Our Ruler – Ephesians 1:22-23
• Christ Our Judge – 2 Corinthians 5:10
12) The Divine Acceptance Of The NT Church
• Glorious – Ephesians 5:25-27
• Spotless – 2 Peter 2:1-3
• Holy – Gal. 1:6-9
• Faultless – 2 Peter 3:16-17
• Flawless – Jude 1:1
Where and when we meet
Chardon, Ohio 44024