What is a ‘Restoration’ Church
Part 2

§The current state of the religious world and

the current state of the church in our world,

necessitates that we study again the

scriptures concerning the nature of the

church.

n I am approaching each lesson from a “RESTORATION PERSPECTIVE

or VIEWPOINT.”

- By restoration perspective or viewpoint, I mean

that it is the ongoing obligation of every generation

to continually restore the TEACHING and

PRACTICES of the inspired, Apostle led,

First Century Church.

n It is true that Churches of Christ, this

congregation and thousands of others,

trace our identity to the early and mid-nineteenth century

RESTORATION MOVEMENT

in America, but to understand our identity,

we must understand, the principle of

RESTORATION.

n The very concept of the need for restoring the teaching and practices of the inspired, apostle led, first century church; NEGATES THE ESTABLISHING OF A NEW RELIGION OR CHURCH; this pre-supposes the fact that a totally sufficient body of teaching exists to enable the ‘RESTORATION’ of the church which Christ established through his apostles, beginning on the First Pentecost after his resurrection, approximately in A.D. 30

1. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

IS ETERNALLY PURPOSED

IN ITS EXISTENCE

Ephesians 3:10,11

(10) “His intent was that now, through the

church, the manifold wisdom of God

should be made known to the rulers and

authorities in the heavenly realms,

(11) according to his eternal purpose

which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our

Lord.”

2. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH IS FIRST

CENTURY IN ESTABLISHMENT.

KINGDOM, POWER, HOLY

SPIRIT, PENTECOST.

The Kingdom/Church (Matthew 16:18), was to come when the power came (Mark 9:1), the power was to come when the Holy Spirit came (Acts 1:8)

3. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

IS UNDENOMINATIONAL

IN CHARACTER

Denominations have distinct characteristics and doctrines, separating them from one another; and thus promote and cause division among believers.

John 17:20,21

(20) "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

(21) that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

n The very concept of a plurality of ‘churches’ –

together claiming to be the New Testament

Church, but holding different fundamental beliefs;

UTTERLY REJECTS THE

CONCEPT OF ‘ONENESS’!

Ephesians 4: 3-6

(3) “ Make every effort to keep the unity

of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

(4) There is one body and one Spirit–

just as you were called to one hope

when you were called–

(5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

(6) one God and Father of all, who is

over all and through all and in all.”

4. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

IS BLOOD – BOUGHT IN VALUE

n Christ thought the church was so essential that he was willing to give his life for it.

Acts 20:28

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the

flock of which the Holy Spirit has

made you overseers. Be shepherds of

the church of God, which he bought

with his own blood.”

n Note: God in this text is Jesus

n In addition to showing the value of the church in Gods’ sight, we see clearly the awesome VALUE OF EACH INDIVIDUAL.

-- Self – esteem issues are fully addressed for

every person who believes the gospel.

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates his own

love for us in this: While we

were still sinners, Christ died

for us.”

5. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

IS CONGREGATIONAL

IN ORGANIZATION

n The church is spoken of in the universal sense, with no specific congregation in mind

(Matt. 16:18)

n The church is spoken of in the local sense, when the writer has a specific congregation in mind,

(1 Cor. 1:2) “… The Church of God at Corinth…”

n The church has no earthly organization other than autonomous local congregations. Jesus is

OUR ONLY HEAD

Colossians 1: 18

“ And he is the head of the body, the

church; he is the beginning and the

firstborn from among the dead, so that

in everything he might have the

supremacy.”

Ephesians 1:22,23

(22) “And God placed all things under

his feet and appointed him to be

head over everything for the

church,

(23) which is his body, the fullness of

him who fills everything in every

way.”

n Though there is no universal organization, locally

the Lord has organized his church.

Philippians 1: 1

“ Paul and Timothy (evangelist) servants of

Christ Jesus, to all the saints (members) in

Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the

overseers (Elders, Pastors, Bishops) and

deacons. (special servants.)”

n NEW TESTAMENT CONGREGATIONS MAINTAINED THEIR AUTONOMY OR SELF-RULE

--There were “Churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2)

and “Churches of Judea” (Galatians 1:22), but they

were separate congregations having their own

leadership, all under the authority of Christ.

n As churches were being established and maturing; Elders were being appointed.

Titus 1:5

“ The reason I left you in Crete was that you

might straighten out what was left

unfinished and appoint elders in every

town, as I directed you.”

n Oversight of elders was limited to a local

congregation and the eldership always

consisted of a plurality of faithful men.

1 Peter 5: 2,3

(2) “Be shepherds of God's flock that is

under your care, serving as overseers—

not because you must, but because you

are willing, as God wants you to be; not

greedy for money, but eager to serve;

(3) not lording it over those entrusted to

you, but being examples to the flock.”

n In his farewell address to the elders of the church at Ephesus, he gives much information about the autonomous nature of the church and the role of elders in each congregation.

Acts 20:28

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the

flock of which the Holy Spirit has

made you overseers. Be shepherds of

the church of God, which he bought

with his own blood”

Acts 20: 29-31

(29) “I know that after I leave, savage

wolves will come in among you and

will not spare the flock.

(30) Even from your own number men will

arise and distort the truth in order to

draw away disciples after them.

(31) So be on your guard! Remember that

for three years I never stopped

warning each of you night and day

with tears.”

6. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

IS SACRED IN DESIGNATIONS

n A Biblical Principle: We are to speak as the

“VERY WORDS OF GOD”

(1 Peter 4:11)

n The church is spoken of as;

THE CHURCH OF GOD (Acts 20:28)

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST (Romans 16:16)

-- All designations HONOR THE LORD.

7. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

IS NECESSARY IN SALVATION.

n The church does not save but is the saved.

n To be in Christ is to be in the body (church).

Galatians 3:27

“…for all of you who were baptized into

Christ have clothed yourselves with

Christ.”

Ephesians 1:22,23

(22) “And God placed all things under his

feet and appointed him to be head

over everything for the church,

(23) which is his body, the fullness of him

who fills everything in every way”

8. THE CHURCH IS

SOUL-WINNING IN MISSION

n Christ and his church ( his body) are inseparable

Luke 19:10

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to

save what was lost.“

Matthew 28:19

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the

Son and of the Holy Spirit,”