http://www.radicallychristian.com/what-does-it-mean-to-restore-the-new-testament-church

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Is it possible to read your Bible, and from your reading, see that in the New Testament there is a Church that Jesus established? Is it possible to see in the Bible, that God set forth His standard of acceptance in salvation, worship, church organization and daily living? Is it possible to follow the teachings of God, revealed in the New Testament, to direct our lives in the same way as He did first century Christians?

The answer to all the questions above is a resounding, yes! For since the writing of the New Testament, men and women of all walks of life have studied their Bibles, and seen how one, even to this day, can become a Christian the way those in New Testament times became Christians.

They have seen how one can establish the Church of the New Testament and emulate its structure, worship, and activity.

Someone has rightfully expressed that we should always remember to stop and show appreciation for the bridges we have crossed. For the Christian this is especially true! Not only are we to be thankful for the work of the apostles and early church workers in the 1st century A.D., but we should also remember the value of all those since who have directed others to give up the shackles of religious error, only to take on the truth revealed in God’s Word.

Someone has said, “We are standing on the shoulders of giants.” We often take the church for granted. An example is found in Lexington, Kentucky; in 1900 it was grounded having many faithful congregations. Had a college “College of the Bible” etc. In the 1960’s Basil and Margie Overton went back into this area once again having to establish N.T. Christianity. In less than 60 years the area went from faithful to non-existent. The church today can do this if we take it for granted.

We need to study Church History for several reasons.

1. Help us learn from the mistakes of the past and avoid them.
2. To build upon their successes, so we can grow from them.
3. Help us to appreciate God’s Church.

“Restoration” Defined

When one speaks of a “restoration” plea, several things are implied. First, there is the suggestion that there is a divine “pattern” for human conduct. Second, God expects conformity to that pattern. Third, in the nature of things, rebellious and frail men will digress from that heavenly way. Fourth, it is the responsibility of those who revere the Lord’s will to restore, the primitive order, and call their fellows back to the “old paths” (cf. Jer. 6:16).

There are numerous New Testament passages which stress these truths. Let us consider a few.

1. The early church is clearly a model for us in that it “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42). Why was that an important point for Luke to make if the pattern of the “apostles’ teaching” is irrelevant? Moreover, the multitude of believers “were of one heart and soul” (Acts 4:32), suggesting a unity of practice in their Christian decorum.
2. Paul reminded the saints in Rome that they had been made free from sin due to the fact that they had been obedient to a certain “form” [pattern] of teaching (Rom. 6:17,18). Can such a passage yield any sense if there is no pattern?
3. The Christians in Rome were admonished to “mark” (be on the look-out for) and turn away from those who were causing divisions “contrary to the teaching” which they had learned (Rom. 16:17). If there is no pattern of New Testament doctrine, how could one ever be required to “turn away” from those who do not conform to it?
4. The inspired Paul instructed the brethren in Corinth not to go “beyond the things which are written” (1 Cor. 4:6 – ASV). This clearly demonstrates that spiritual activity is regulated by the Scriptures.
5. The primitive Christians were warned repeatedly about “falling away” from “the faith” (cf. 2 Thes. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1ff; 2 Tim. 4:1ff). The expression “the faith” has to do with a body of doctrinal truth. If there is no doctrinal “pattern,” how could one ever “fall away” from the faith? Note also that identifying marks of apostasy went beyond so-called “core” matters, such as the deity of Christ. They concerned things like the forbidding marriage and prohibiting certain foods (1 Tim. 4:1ff).
6. Paul spoke of the “pattern of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13) which the early Christians were being taught and in which they were to “abide” (2 Tim. 3:14). These truths were to be passed on to others (2 Tim. 2:2), and men were to be charged not to teach a “different doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:3). How in the name of common sense can men read these passages and not know that there is a body of sacred truth with which we must not tamper?
7. The writer of Hebrews affirmed that Moses, in constructing the tabernacle, was warned by God that he must “make all things according to the pattern,” which was shown to him at Horeb (Heb. 8:5). Do we, as recipients of the “better covenant” (Heb. 7:22; 8:6), sustain a lesser responsibility as we minister to God in his church—of which the tabernacle was but an inferior type (cf. Heb. 9:1-10)? It is unbelievable that anyone would dare to argue such.
8. John unequivocally states that those who go beyond the “teaching of Christ” have no fellowship with God (2 John 9).

We may also associate the term with the pleas of the Restoration Movement such as:

1. “Speak where the Bible speaks, be silent where it is silent.”
2. “Do Bible things in Bible ways and call Bible things by Bible names.”
3. “In matters of doctrine unity, in matters of opinion liberty, and in all matters, love.”

God has been working toward restoration ever since the garden. Paul was involved in restoration  hundreds of years before Alexander Campbell was even born. As we discuss restoration, we mean as much the restoration of the law under Josiah, as we do the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah. Our concept of restoration must be expanded far beyond an American movement of the last two hundred years.

Ungodly men are always the enemies of the faith and of the peace of the church:

(Jude 1:3-4)  “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. {4} For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.”

(Jude 1:17-18)  “But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. {18} They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.””

The 18^th, 19^th, and 20^th centuries have been preeminently an age of denominations. We need to be clear about what God and the Bible say about the church.

The Reality of the Church

In the city of Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after His ascension, Jesus established the church. Acts 2 records the activities that took place on that day and the prophecies which those activities fulfilled.

Being originally designed by Jesus, the church is, therefore, divinely organized and constituted.

Since Jesus is its head ((Ephesians 1:22)  “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,”) and chief cornerstone ((Ephesians 2:9-10)  “not by works, so that no one can boast. {10} For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”)

…only the characteristics He has set forth for it in His supreme authority are approved of God. No authority has been given to any man, body of men, or ecclesiastical body to change any of its features:

(Matthew 28:18)  “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Identifying Christ’s church: Designations.

House of God

(1 Timothy 3:15)  “if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”

The body of Christ

(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.”

(Colossians 1:24)  “Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.”

The “called out”

(Matthew 16:18)  “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

(Ephesians 5:23-25)  “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. {24} Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. {25} Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”

The temple of God

(1 Corinthians 3:9)  “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

(1 Corinthians 3:16-17)  “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? {17} If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.”

(Ephesians 2:19-22)  “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, {20} built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. {21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. {22} And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Government and organization.

Jesus is the supreme ruler:

(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.”

Serving under Jesus were the apostles whose ministry was perpertual through the inspired writings. Since that revelation is complete, they have no successors.

(1 Corinthians 13:10)  “but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.”

(2 Peter 1:3)  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

 (2 Timothy 3:16)  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”

(Ephesians 4:11-16)  “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, {12} to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up {13} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. {14} Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. {15} Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. {16} From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

The sole collective functioning unit is the local congregation. Each congregation is free from ecclesiasticism, synods and councils and is independent and autonomous. The authority of the local congregation is vested in a plurality of elders (bishops, pastors, overseers, shepherds).

(Acts 14:23)  “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”

Deacons are servants within the congregation who work in conjunction with the elders.

 (Philippians 1:1)  “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:”

The only creed is Christ. Its sole rule of faith and practice is the New Testament. Its terms of admission are the same as in the book of Acts: obedience to those things which put one into Christ and grant remission of sins: faith, repentance, confession, and baptism, and faithful living.

The Importance of knowing when the church began

It is a matter of identity so that one may be able to distinguish it from Old Testament agencies and from religious institutions of modern human origin.

It is also in order to identify its laws so that one may see when the law governing the church of God went into effect.

The church was foreshadowed in the Old Testament

The Old Testament spoke of those things in the Old Law which were “copies” and “shadows” of “the good things to come”

(Hebrews 9:11)  “When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation.”

(Hebrews 9:23)  “It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.”

(Hebrews 10:1)  “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming–not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.”

The church was not in existence in Old Testament days. Acts 7:38 refers to the host of Jews who were in the wilderness not to the church of Jesus Christ.

(Matthew 16:18)  “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” 

(Acts 7:38)  “He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us.”

Old Testament worthies desired to see its time.

(1 Peter 1:10-12)  “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, {11} trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. {12} It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.”

The Establishment of the Church is a subject of prophecy

Isaiah 2:1-4 and Micah 4:1-2 both prophesy of its beginning.

(Isaiah 2:1-4)  “This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: {2} In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. {3} Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. {4} He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

(Micah 4:1-2)  “In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. {2} Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

It was to be established:

• In Jerusalem
• In the “last days” (the age ushered in by the New Testament is the “last days.” (Acts 2:16-17)  “No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: {17} “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”

(Acts 2:16-17)  “No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: {17} “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”

(Hebrews 1:1-2)  “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, {2} but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.”

The prophetic dream of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (604-562 B.C.) indicated the time of its establishment:

(Daniel 2:31-35)  “”You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue–an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. {32} The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, {33} its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. {34} While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. {35} Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.”

The four kingdoms of the vision

1. Babylonian, the head of gold. The Babylonian Empire fell in 536 B.C.
2. Medo-Persian, the breasts and arms of silver. Established by Cyrus, king of Persia (538-530 B.C.); it fell in 330 B.C.
3. Greek or Macedonian, the torso and thighs of brass. Formed by Alexander the Great in 336 B.C. after his father, Philip of Macedon, had laid the foundations for it. It was divided among Alexander’s generals after his death in 323 B.C.
4. Roman, the legs of iron and feet of iron and clay. It was established as a world power by Octavius Caesar in 30 B.C.

“In the days of these kings” (vs. 44), therefore, refers to the time of universal empires and “struck the image upon its feet” signifies the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom which would take place after the beginning of the Roman empire and during its existence.

The New Testament begins its accounts while the Caesars still ruled the world. “In those days John the Baptist came preaching”

(Matthew 3:11-12)  “”I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. {12} His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.””

(Luke 3:1-3)  “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar–when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene– {2} during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. {3} He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

The church was not established by John. He preached that the kingdom was “at hand” or approaching (Matt. 3:1-2). He was not in the kingdom: (Matthew 11:11)  “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

The church was not established during the personal ministry of Jesus.

The church was yet in the future while Jesus was upon the earth.The kingdom was “at hand.”

(Matthew 10:7)  “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.'”

(Mark 1:15)  “”The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!””

The kingdom had “come near.”

(Luke 10:9)  “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.'”

He  taught His disciples to pray for the coming of the kingdom.

(Matthew 6:9-10)  “”This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, {10} your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

He promised to build His church.

(Matthew 16:18)  “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

His disciples were not in the kingdom.

(Matthew 18:1-3)  “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” {2} He called a little child and had him stand among them. {3} And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

He promised the kingdom would come in that generation.

(Mark 9:1)  “And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.””

The beginning? On the Pentecost following the ascension of Jesus.

The kingdom was to begin and the law go forth from Jerusalem.

(Isaiah 2:1-3)  “This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: {2} In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. {3} Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

(Luke 24:47)  “and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

The law went forth from Jerusalem on the Pentecost following the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ:

(Acts 2:37-38)  “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” {38} Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

That day of  Pentecost was the beginning of Christ’s kingdom and church:

(Acts 2:1-4)  “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. {2} Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. {4} All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

(Acts 11:15)  “”As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.”

The “power” is evidence the kingdom came on Pentecost. The kingdom came with power.

(Mark 9:1)  “And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.””

The power was to come with the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 1:8)  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””

The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost. Therefore, the kingdom came on  Pentecost.

 (Acts 2:1-4)  “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. {2} Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. {4} All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

The law going forth from Jerusalem is evidence the kingdom came on Pentecost. The law was to go forth from Jerusalem.

(Isaiah 2:1-3)  “This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: {2} In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. {3} Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

The apostles were commissioned to preach

(Matthew 28:18-20)  “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been

given to me. {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, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

(Mark 16:15-16)  “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. {16} Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

But they had been instructed to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come and guide them before beginning:

(Luke 24:49)  “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.””

The  Spirit came on Pentecost and the preaching of the Gospel, the law of the kingdom, began on Pentecost:

(Acts 2:31-38)  “Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. {32} God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. {33} Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. {34} For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand {35} until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”‘ {36} “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” {37} When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” {38} Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

After that Pentecost, both the church and kingdom were always spoken of as in existence:

(Acts 2:47)  “praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

(Acts 5:11)  “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.”

(Acts 8:1)  “And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.”

(Acts 11:22)  “News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.”

(Acts 13:1)  “In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.”

(Acts 14:27)  “On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”

(Colossians 1:13)  “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,”

(Revelation 1:9)  “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”