The churches of Christ are a diverse group of Bible-believers today, with some bearing the name having espoused beliefs and conduct which have no basis in scripture.
Some have strayed far from the intention of their guiding slogan of yester-years, “Back To The Bible.” A generation of brethren have arisen who are unaware of the meaning of “The Restoration Plea” of today’s “Restoration Movement.”
To “restore” is to return something or someone to an original state or condition from which they have evidently changed for the worse. To “restore” involves going back in time to retrieve a plan or pattern and recondition, reconstitute or revive something or someone to reflect the intention of its, or his, creator.
In the context of religion, the Bible commands God’s people in Jeremiah 6:16, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.” Sadly, we generally think too highly of our innovative creativity and are persuaded that we can come up with better ideas and ways of doing things than our Creator Himself, who created everything good (Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31) and who is a Giver of good and perfect gifts (James 1:17). The sad result is a so-called “Christianity” with a multitude of often-contradictory beliefs and practices,- a disunity which is against God’s will for those who claim to be “brethren” (Psalm 133:1-3) because it does not testify to Christ’s identity and His love for His people (John 17:23).
Only unity among God’s believers brings glory to Him (Romans 15:5-6). Unity of, and in, the faith is God’s goal of Christian fellowship and ministery (Ephesians 4:3-6, 11-16). And it is unity or oneness of belief and practice based on a proper handling of God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15) which we must achieve, and not merely union based on fellowship by “agreement to disagree” on doctrine. A member of the church of Christ can only work towards, and pray for, unity among believers based on agreement about doctrine, without which there can be no fellowship among us (Romans 16:17-19; 2 Thessalonians 3:14; 2 John 8-11). Our plea is for the restoration of the “faith once for all delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3) among all believers of the Bible’s truth and trustworthiness (John 17:17).
The restoration plea is based on four points taught in holy scripture. Firstly, God has revealed a pattern of truth which is applicable to a particular dispensation (i.e. system of His dealings with man), which today is the New Testament dispensation (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
Secondly, God expects this pattern of truth to be obeyed by all of mankind.(Romans 6:17; 2 Timothy 1:13-14) and certainly not to be altered (Revelation 22:18-19; 1 Corinthians 4:6-7) nor handled deceitfully (2 Corinthians 4:2).
Thirdly, instead of obeying it, man has strayed away from this pattern. (Acts 20:29-30; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Peter 2:1-22; 1 John 2:18; 4:1; Jude 3, 19-21).
Fourthly, for his eternal salvation, man must return to God’s revealed pattern and be obedient to it (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Romans 1:1-6; 16:25-27).
In the history of Bible-believers. the Restoration Movement has been proposed as the Bible’s answer to the confusion and chaos of denominationalism, as opposed to ecumenism (the coming-together in fellowship and cooperation of diverse and disparate denominations of Bible-believers). It is also an appropriate response to earlier errors of doctrine because restoration reverts to an authoritative original set of doctrines or teachings, whereas “reformation” merely means a “changing” of perceived error, not necessarily into truth.
Romans 16:25-27 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.