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.”

There are Christians today who are part of a great religious movement launched on the North American Continent in the early 1800s, to restore the pure Christianity of the first century. The pioneers of this movement made it their aim to go back to the Bible for their faith, worship and practice. To maintain the Restoration commitment in our day, we must remind ourselves of what it was. To properly appreciate it, we must know wherein it was great.

The first clearly discernible call here, in America, to go back to Bible was heard among the Methodists. Jams O’Kelly led a revolt against bishop Francis Asbury’s autocratic rule.  At a meeting at the old Lebanon Church in Surry County, VA, on August 4, 1794, Rice Haggard, with Bible in hand, challenged his brethren his brethren thusly: “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 simply.” A Brother Hafferty then moved that they take the Bible as their only creed. From that meeting came, “Five Cardinal Principles of the Christian Church:”

	The Lord Jesus Christ as the only Head of the Church.
	The name Christian to the exclusion of all party and sectarian names.
	The Holy Bible…our only creed, and a sufficient rule of faith and practice.
	Christian character…the only test of church fellowship and membership.
	The right of private judgment and liberty of conscience the privilege and duty of all. (W. E. McClenny, Life of Rev. James O’Kelly, p.  111)

Shortly thereafter in 1803, a similar back to the Bible movement emerged among the Baptists of New England.  The principal leaders were Drs. Abner Jones and Elias Smith. Smith wrote:

“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” (Elias Smith, Life and Conversion of Elias Smith, pp. 313-314).

About the same time, in Century Kentucky a group of dissident preachers broke with the Presbyterian Church.  They first organized themselves as the Springfield Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church. After further study of the Scriptures they met and resolved to dissolve their presbytery. They framed a document entitled, “Last Will and Testament.”  Among its remarkable items are the following:

	“We will, that this body die, be dissolved, and sink into union with the Body of Christ at large; for there is but one Body…”
	“We will, that our power of making laws for the government of the church and executing them by delegated authority forever cease; that the people may have free course to the Bible…”
	“We will, that the Church of Christ resume her native right of internal government…”
	We will, that the people henceforth take the Bible as the only sure guide to heaven…”On June 28, 1804, the Will was signed by Robert Marshall, John Dunlavy, Richard McNemar, John Thompson, David Purviance, and B. W. Stone.
	In 1809 Thomas Campbell, a Presbyterian immigrant preacher from Northern Ireland, broke with his church and issued a Declaration and Address of the Christian Association of Washington, Pennsylvania. Among Campbell’s declarations were the following:
	“That the Church of Christ is essentially, intentionally and constitutionally one.”
	“That the Bible is the only rule of faith and practice for Christians.”
	“That the Old and New Testaments alone contain the authoritative constitution of the Church of Christ.”
	“That no human authority has power to amend or change the original constitution and laws of the church.”
	“That faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is a sufficient profession to entitle a man or woman to become a member of the Church of Christ.”
	“That division among Christians is anti-Christian, anti-scriptural, unnatural, and to be abhorred.”
	“That neglect of the revealed will of God and the introduction of human innovations are and have been the causes of all the corruptions and divisions that have ever taken place in the church…”
	“That all that is necessary to secure the highest state of purity and perfection in the church is to restore the original ordinances and constitution as exhibited in the New Testament.”

These men thought not to found a new denomination, rather they worked to restore the original church of the Bible to its pristine purity.

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. 

The goal of the Restoration Movement has always been a commitment to reproduce the original Christianity of the first century. God designed and Jesus built the church exactly as they wanted it (Matt. 16:18). When changes were imposed on the church they were always destructive, never beneficial.  Like a masterpiece of art, we should restore the Lords’s church to its original state of existence. In the words of the prophet, “thou shalt be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in” (Is. 58:12).

 

The Restoration Movement is a non-denominational effort, dedicated to serving do in a nonsectarian way.  Jesus built but one church (Matt. 16:18; I Cor. 12:13).  It was his dying prayer that his followers be one as were He and His father (John 17:20-21). 

Denominational division is soundly condemned in Scripture.  Paul besought the Corinthians “that there be no divisions among them” (I Cor. 1:10). He labeled as immature and carnal those who denominated themselves as followers of Peter, Apollos and Paul (I Cor. 3:1-4). Even those most deeply involved in denominationalism concede the undesirable nature of that system.

 

It is a “back to the Bible “ movement. Catholicism has elevated tradition, the decisions of councils and declarations of popes above the Bible.  Liberal Protestantism has attacked the Bible as unreliable and irrelevant.  Evangelical churches give lip service to believing the Scripture, while placing their creeds and subjective experiences about it in practice.

We should exalt God’s Word above all creeds and philosophies of men.  We should speak as the oracles of God (I Pet. 4:11). “The God-breathed Word is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete…” (II Tim. 3:16-17). 

Furthermore we should properly distinguish between the two great covenants. While the entire Bible is from God, the words which Christ spoke will judge us in the last day (John 12:48). Because of this truth we do not look to Moses or David’s writings for instructions on salvation, worship or practice of our faith.

 

It is also a doctrinal movement. Our message is not one of human theology, philosophy, speculation, or experience.  We should seek always to abide in “the doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9). 

We should advocate strong, clear Bible preaching. Preachers are urged to cite chapters and verses so their hearers can verify for themselves the lesson taught.  We expect our spokesmen to “preach the Word” (II Tim. 4:2). We demand “sound doctrine” from our pulpits (Tit. 2:1).  Our preachers can generally be distinguished from their denominational counterparts by the “Biblical ring” of their lessons.

A modern generation must be reminded that all the social activities, marriage enrichment seminars and self-improvement courses will not save a single soul. Only by preaching the gospel will sinners be brought to the Savior (Mk. 16:15; Rom. 1:16).

 

Because it offers a reasonable, common sense approach to religion, the Restoration Movement is great.  God expects a person to use his head, to think rationally if he would be a Christian. 

Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). Christianity is not a fuzzy, emotional response to some vague religious impulse; rather it is reasonable.  It is logical and sensible. 

The emotionalism of the old mourner’s bench system, the irrational behavior of the charismatics and the mysticism of the ritualistic churches all give way before the simple truth of our plea (John 8:32). Faith is not foolishness.

The Restoration plea is also universal both in nature and appeal. It alone can bring religious unity to a world torn by sectarian confusion and division.  Can any man who sincerely loves Christ object to being called a Christian?  Visit any minister in your community and inquire of him, “Are you Christian?”  I can safely predict a favorable reply.

 

But ask the Methodist parson is he is a Baptist and he will quickly deny it.  Call him a Baptist and you will insult him.

Ours is a universally accepted name. Who will oppose calling Bible things by Bible names? This in itself would eliminate most of the confusion in the religious word.

Who would criticize doing Bible things in Bible ways?  Who would condemn preaching the Bible, only the Bible and all of the Bible?  Can anyone conceive a better way to serve God than his own divinely appointed way?

 

The plea to restore the ancient faith and practice of the first Christian is great because it is thoroughly Biblical.  Jeremiah exhorts the people of his day to ask for the “ the old paths” and walk therein (Jere. 6:16). 

King Josiah labored to restore the true worship of Jehovah in Israel (II Kings 22:8; 23:5). Paul exhorts us to hold the pattern of sound words (II Tim.  1:13).  The author of Hebrews reminds us to build according to the revealed pattern (Heb. 8:5).  The New Testament is our pattern, and we must conform to its divine standard.

 

May we never neglect, forsake or betray that is noble movement of which we are part. Let us always labor to restore the ancient church, her doctrine, worship and practice.  May we pass it on safely to those who come after us.