Restoration Movement- Part 2
Restoration Movement – Part 2 (also available: rickwilliswrites.wordpress.com)
More about the independent Christian Churches. We believe, arguably, that we have come the closest to maintaining the historical position of the Restoration Movement, to believe the Bible is God’s guide for us while seeking broad unity as much as possible in ministry areas with other Christians. This independent branch of the Restoration Movement again became the fastest growing evangelical church fellowship in the United States in recent years. Not because the people are better, but because the movement’s plea just makes sense.
The independent Christian churches over the years have developed various para-church organizations to support the work they do, such as publishing houses (Standard Publishing in Cincinnati, OH; College Press in Joplin, MO, etc.) and Bible Colleges to train preachers and ministry workers (Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO; Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, MO; etc.). They support a wide variety of missionary organizations around the world. In addition, preaching/teaching conventions exist to inspire and support, such as SPIRE Network, the International Conference on Missions, or the MO Christian Convention. They also have Campus Ministries in several university towns to support Christians getting an education in secular colleges (MU Campus House, MSU Campus House, etc.). I mention more Missouri things simply because I’m most familiar with them.
Christian churches believe Jesus and his apostles instituted only two picturesque ordinances for the church. The first ordinance is baptism when a person becomes a Christian, representing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and allows the person to be “buried with Christ in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith” to walk this new life (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3-5; Acts 2:38, etc.). Baptism, these scriptures tell us, provides forgiveness of sins and God’s gift of his Holy Spirit. The second ordinance is the Lord’s Supper, which Jesus provided as the fulfillment of the Passover feast the Jews celebrated in the Old Testament. Now, under the New Covenant, we regularly remember what Jesus did for us in his death, burial, and resurrection by observing “communion” when the church gathers. Two ordinances, both visually picturing what saves us. Baptism says we our entering this new life identifying with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection; and Communion says we continue this new life identifying with his death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus saves, as we act in faith.
Again, a very basic overview. The Restoration Movement is a “back to the Bible” movement that simply wishes to allow what Jesus and his apostles taught to guide our beliefs and practices, as we seek to be Christians only.
Walter Scott was a great evangelist in the 1800’s; it’s been said he baptized over 30,000 people in his 30 years of ministry! As he traveled the country with preaching assignments, he would go into a town on his horse and head to the schoolyard. When the kids got out, he would gather them around and tell them he wanted to teach them something. “Hold up your left hand with five fingers and repeat after me” he would tell them. “Faith, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, gift of the Holy Spirit; one for each finger, now let’s repeat that.” After they had it memorized, he’d say, “Now go home and tell your parents what you’ve learned and tell them the man who taught you will be speaking at ______ tonight.” Large crowds would gather. I like his illustration. Responding to Jesus with faith and repentance, we meet Jesus in his saving act with baptism, and he then offers us forgiveness and his Spirit. Then we walk by faith with God’s Word as our guide. That’s what people in the Restoration Movement desire.
Question: Maybe you have a question for me. If so, contact me at: rwillisx2@gmail.com.
More about the independent Christian Churches. We believe, arguably, that we have come the closest to maintaining the historical position of the Restoration Movement, to believe the Bible is God’s guide for us while seeking broad unity as much as possible in ministry areas with other Christians. This independent branch of the Restoration Movement again became the fastest growing evangelical church fellowship in the United States in recent years. Not because the people are better, but because the movement’s plea just makes sense.
The independent Christian churches over the years have developed various para-church organizations to support the work they do, such as publishing houses (Standard Publishing in Cincinnati, OH; College Press in Joplin, MO, etc.) and Bible Colleges to train preachers and ministry workers (Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO; Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, MO; etc.). They support a wide variety of missionary organizations around the world. In addition, preaching/teaching conventions exist to inspire and support, such as SPIRE Network, the International Conference on Missions, or the MO Christian Convention. They also have Campus Ministries in several university towns to support Christians getting an education in secular colleges (MU Campus House, MSU Campus House, etc.). I mention more Missouri things simply because I’m most familiar with them.
Christian churches believe Jesus and his apostles instituted only two picturesque ordinances for the church. The first ordinance is baptism when a person becomes a Christian, representing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and allows the person to be “buried with Christ in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith” to walk this new life (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3-5; Acts 2:38, etc.). Baptism, these scriptures tell us, provides forgiveness of sins and God’s gift of his Holy Spirit. The second ordinance is the Lord’s Supper, which Jesus provided as the fulfillment of the Passover feast the Jews celebrated in the Old Testament. Now, under the New Covenant, we regularly remember what Jesus did for us in his death, burial, and resurrection by observing “communion” when the church gathers. Two ordinances, both visually picturing what saves us. Baptism says we our entering this new life identifying with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection; and Communion says we continue this new life identifying with his death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus saves, as we act in faith.
Again, a very basic overview. The Restoration Movement is a “back to the Bible” movement that simply wishes to allow what Jesus and his apostles taught to guide our beliefs and practices, as we seek to be Christians only.
Walter Scott was a great evangelist in the 1800’s; it’s been said he baptized over 30,000 people in his 30 years of ministry! As he traveled the country with preaching assignments, he would go into a town on his horse and head to the schoolyard. When the kids got out, he would gather them around and tell them he wanted to teach them something. “Hold up your left hand with five fingers and repeat after me” he would tell them. “Faith, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, gift of the Holy Spirit; one for each finger, now let’s repeat that.” After they had it memorized, he’d say, “Now go home and tell your parents what you’ve learned and tell them the man who taught you will be speaking at ______ tonight.” Large crowds would gather. I like his illustration. Responding to Jesus with faith and repentance, we meet Jesus in his saving act with baptism, and he then offers us forgiveness and his Spirit. Then we walk by faith with God’s Word as our guide. That’s what people in the Restoration Movement desire.
Question: Maybe you have a question for me. If so, contact me at: rwillisx2@gmail.com.
Posted in Waking Up Eutychus