As the 18th century closed certain men had the strong desire to get back to just what the New Testament taught.
James O’Kelly (1757 to 1826)
His followers took the name Christian, and the Bible as their only guide in 1794, acknowledging Christ as the only head of the church.
Elias Smith and Abner Jones Launched a Restoration Movement Among the Baptists in New England. In 1803 they took the name Christian, and the Bible as their only guide, rejected Calvinism and were involved in founding independent churches.
Barton W Stone, (1772 to 1844)
Involved himself in a back-to the-bible movement, in Central Kentucky in 1801. They took the name Christian, and used the Bible as their only guide. Breaking with Presbyterianism a movement was launched which spread over the adjoining states.
A journal called the Christian Messenger was edited by Stone.
Thomas Campbell, (1763 to 1854)
Came over to the US from England preaching a back to the scriptures only., soon his son Alexander Campbell also came over.
Alexander Campbell 1788 to 1866)
Campbell had become the most outstanding leader of the restoration. Noted for his capacity on the knowledge of many subjects, with his powerful preaching he average four sermons a week, he, wrote sixty books during his lifetime, was involved in numerous debates.
Recognized as a renowned orator, he spoke before Congress in Washington In June 1850. A well known member and one of the fathers of our country James Madison was quoted as saying “I regard him as the ablest and most original expounder of Scripture I ever heard.”
With his almost unlimited capacity that he had for work, he edited a monthly paper, lectured on agriculture, successful at farming, and the list goes on and on. This new movement, the Restoration brought the Church of Christ back into the open, involving its members into the promoting and spreading of New Testament teachings.
Hopefully viewers will take away knowledge gained and stimulate in others to become viewers too, spreading this sites offer of New Testaments guidance. It’s a formidable task unmasking the thousands of unscriptural churches, but this is an admirable cause.
Christians are called ambassadors, 2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV)
- 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Christians are also called soldiers, 2 Timothy 2:3-4 (KJV)
- 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
- 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Christians, single, married (some with families), conduct your daily life in good accord. Seeking always
to better oneself, bringing up the young in the nourishing and conduct of the scriptures, attending church meetings, participating in your locals reach out for new members.
This article in three parts is hoped to inform and promote the defeat of the New Testaments perpetual onslaught.
Amen!