Restoration Studies:

THE NEED FOR A CONTINUING EMPHASIS ON RESTORATION

Two hundred years ago our forefathers in the faith broke the bonds of denominationalism and planted on this continent a church fashioned according to the divine pattern found in the New Testament (II Tim. 1:13).
Our own history sadly demonstrates the truth that the second, third and following generations can quickly forget the commitment of their fathers and eventually abandon the concept of restoration altogether. The Disciples of Christ have done just that.
Each generation of Christians must be taught anew:

	The need for restoration;
	The concept of restoration;
	The value of restoration;
	How to achieve restoration;
	How to maintain the restoration impetus.

REASONS WHY MEN NEED TO BE REMINDED ABOUT THE COMMITMENT TO RESTORE THE ANCIENT FAITH

	It is man’s nature to forget great truths and events of the past.  Following the deaths of Joshua and the generation “who had seen all the great work of Jehovah that he had wrought for Israel...there arose another generation after then, that knew not Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel...and they forsook Jehovah...and followed other gods...” (Judg. 2:1-12).  Peter wrote of a man who has “forgotten the cleansing from his old sins” (II Pet. 1:9).
	There is in man a natural tendency to compromise, to mix truth with popular and attractive error.  Like the Samaritans, they fear Jehovah and serve their own gods (II Kings 17:33). John warns us not to give aid and encouragement to those who abide not in the doctrine of Christ lest we become partakers in their evil works (II John 9-11).
	It is common for man to drift away from principles that are exclusive and unpopular. Apostasy never occurs in a night or even a year. Like a glacier, it takes years of slow steady movement before the danger or damage is realized.  “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them” (Heb. 2:1). “So then brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught....” (II Thess. 2:15). The reality of Satan makes it essential that we emphasize our plea.  He is the great deceiver (Rev. 20:2-3) and the father of lies (John 8:44).  He fathers such lies as: “Restoration won’t work.” “Restoration of a 2,000 year old church is foolish.” “The Restoration idea is divisive. “The church will never grow if we are so strict and exclusive!” “The church of Christ is really just another denomination.” “Modern people will not accept such an old fashioned approach to religion.” Paul warns, “Let no man deceive you with empty words” (Eph. 5:6).
	Because of the average man’s desire to be pleasing to the world, it is vital that we hold forth our pleas.  Moses warned Israel, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil...” (Ex. 23:2).  The world tends to hate Christians because they “are not of the world” and because they testify that the world’s works are evil (John 17:14).  Weaker souls are tempted to love the sinful world and seek peace with it (I John 2:15).  When they do so, faith is compromised.
	There is a tendency for people, like moving water, to seek the course of least resistance.   Elders and preachers sometimes have not the courage and conviction to say no to a crowd that clamors for unscriptural freedom and change. Rather than stand firm and pay the price of loyalty, they let the worldly current flow through their congregations undermining truth and the divinely ordered way.  J. W. McGarvey stoutly opposed instrumental music when the subject was first raised.  Later he was silent on the subject. When asked why? He replied that no one would listen. They were determined to have it. So he directed his interest to other matters.  Satan won the victory.
	We must reemphasize these truths because of the pressures of the world to conform and get in line. The world resents a church that is different; that dares to stand alone; that speaks out against the world’s pleasures and practices (John 7:7). They object to our unique worship, our insistence on immersion and that only those properly baptized are saved.  They dislike our non-denominational stance. By ridicule, insult and exclusion they seek to force un into the common denominational mold. Tragically, hundreds of preachers and churches have sought the approval of the world by assimilating the ways of the world.  God yet thunders from on high, “Be not conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2).

Because the philosophy of the world presses against the church we must indoctrinate our people.  Daily, Christians are bombarded with such destructive ideas as: “Truth is relative;” “Nothing is absolute;” “You can’t be sure you are right and others are wrong; “Anything old is obsolete;” “The Bible is not that reliable;” “The majority must be right;” “Religion is always evolving.”  Such concepts weaken and eventually destroy one’s commitment to New Testament Christianity.  No wonder Paul warns, “Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men...and not after Christ” (Col.  2:8).
Prevailing ignorance of the Word of God demands strong teaching on divine principles.  Truth makes man free from religious error (John 8:32). Ignorance leaves one enslaved. Even free men in Christ can be “destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hoes 4:6).  It is hard to know and do the right religiously if you have never been taught the right.
We must reemphasize the old truths since there is a tendency for the familiar to become commonplace and even contemptible.  The value of the old truths must be constantly set forth. Jeremiah said the old paths were the good ways (Jer. 6:26). Our great challenge is to teach the old truths and present them in a fresh and exciting format.  We must teach each new convert, and each child growing up, to love and the respect the sacred concept of restoring the ancient order of things.

There is a tendency for a church to change with the changing of preachers and elders.  Leaders play a vital role in shaping the life of a congregation.  A church with strong, sound preaching, and elders will stay true to the Book. An injudicious choice of a new preacher or the gradual replacement of those elders with men of different convictions will soon redirect a congregation away from the path of righteousness. In a generation the church at Ephesus had left her first love (Rev. 2:4-5).  In a matter of a few years the Galatians had been led away from the gospel Paul had preached to a false Judiastic system (ga. L3:1-2).  Brethren must be taught to stick to God’s Book, never allowing any man to teaching them “another gospel” (Gal. 1:8).
Christian faith and conviction is not inherited from ones family.  Faith comes only by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). Each individual has to personally be born again in order to enter the kingdom of heaven (John 3:3-5).  Each youngster as he grows to accountability must receive with meekness the implanted Word which is able to save his soul (Jas. 1:21).  Thus we must teach our children why we serve God as we do so their faith can be their own.

THE GREAT CHALLENGE BEFORE US

For some forty years we as a people have neglected to instill those rudimentary principles of restoration in the hearts of those coming into the church. Now a crisis of identity is upon us. Many do not know the plea.   Other shave grown ashamed of it.  Some disciples have departed into denominationalism. Some congregations are tottering on the brink of apostasy.
We must remember our heritage and pass it on to our children.  Thus Moses instructed Israel “These words, which I command thee...shall be upon they heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children....then beware lest thou forget Jehovah who brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt...” (Deut. 6:6-12).

Brethren, “Guard that which is committed unto thee, turning away from the profane babbling and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so-called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith” (I Tim. 6:20-21).
Elders and preachers:  let there be a continuing emphasis on restoration in your pulpit and classrooms.  Failure to do so could be disastrous.