Introduction
The Restoration Movement began in the early 19th Century when a conglomeration of
members from different Christian groups and denominations decided that they had gotten
away from the basics of Christianity. (Jorgenson, 1989: 11) Methodists, Baptists,
Presbyterians, and others abandoned their formal denomination with hopes of establishing
a church based soley on the primitive Christianity taught in the New Testament. With
their beliefs in Jesus as the only model and the Bible as the only sacred book, they
endeavored to reestablish Christ's church as it had been during Jesus' time. Because
the different organized denominations had constructed rules and practices that did not
come explicitly from the Bible, those with new ideas felt the divisions must be
dissolved. Their goal was for everyone to abandon their dividing religions and become
united as one church under God's rule alone. (Tyler, 1894: 25-30)
Although not all abandoned their organized faiths, some did choose to follow
this primitive way. Among the most influential leaders of this movement are
Alexander Campbell
and
Barton W. Stone
. (Hughes, 1996: 92) With similar views focused around unity and primitivism, each
gathered a group of followers, and in 1832 the two groups merged. (Tyler, 1894: 72-73)
Although the fundamental views remained, in 1906 this group split. The followers of
Campbell and Stone divided into two sects, called the Church of Christ (Non-Instrumental)
and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Over time many additional schisms have
formed from these core groups as well. A second major division occurred in 1968 with
the Christian Church separating the more liberal Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
from the more conservative Christian Church/Churches of Christ. The beliefs of each sect,
based on the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, remain centered around Jesus
as the Messiah and son of God, baptism of immersion to believers, and the Lord's Supper
as a memorial meal.(Melton, 1996: 477)
Christians of this movement believe that Jesus is both God and God's son. They believe
that he manifested himself as flesh on earth and lived a perfect life in order to provide
humans with an example of how they ought to live. He was perfect although not free from
temptation during his time on earth and gave his life in order to pay for the world's
sins. This was God's plan of salvation for every man because man does not have to the
capability to be without sin. In order to receive this salvation, one must admit his or
her sinfulness and need for forgiveness, then repent and accept Jesus as Lord of his or
her life. One must then be baptized by full body immersion for the remission of sins.
At this point, it is believed that one begins a new life, and is "reborn." The new
Christian is expected to live a life for God based on the teachings of the Bible. The
idea of baptism by immersion is taken from the New Testament where in several places,
the command to be baptized is given to believers. Jesus himself is baptized by the
prophet, appropriately called John the Baptist.
Another practice that is important to this sectarian movement is the weekly
rememberance of Jesus' sacrifice by partaking in a meal called communion, or the Lord's
Supper. This consists of bread (in different forms) to represent Jesus' body and grape
juice (because many do not believe in drinking wine or any alcohol) to represent the
blood that he shed when he was crucified on a cross. This is often shared together
during a weekly time of worship, prayer, teaching by a minister, and fellowship. The
elders, a select group of male leaders within the church, thank God for the sacrifice of
His son before passing around the bread and juice for everyone to take.
Overall, the people of this movement have no extra practices or rituals unique to them
outside the New Testament teaching. The three major divisions overlap in their beliefs.
There is no head organization for the Christian Churches or Church of Christ; whereas
the Disciples of Christ have a centralized organization called the Convention. The
Church of Christ is non-instrumental, but the Christian Churches and Disciples of Christ
use musical instruments. Ultimately, each strives to be as similar to the early church
as possible modeling their lives after their one true example, Jesus Christ.
