When we speak of “the restoration of New Testament Christianity,” what do we mean? Is God concerned with a “restoration”? A“restoration” to what? Wayne Jackson has ably written,
“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)” (Christian Courier).
Restoration is BIBLICAL! Restoration is ESSENTIAL! Restoration is ON-GOING! That the spirit of restoration is lacking in many congregations of the churches of Christ is readily conceded. An understanding, application and proclamation of the “restoration principles” must be maintained in order to remain pleasing to God.
“The acute need today seems to be that of restoring the Restoration Movement. The need to recognize that the Restoration of New Testament Christianity is a constantly challenging ideal to which every generation must dedicate itself anew. Indeed, as wiser men than I have observed, ‘the church is never more than one generation removed from apostasy.” (Tom Holland” “The Unfinished Restoration.” Restoration Then And Now (Knoxville, TN, East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions. 1983) p. 326).
In 1955 F. W. Mattox wrote The Eternal Kingdom, A History Of The Church Of Christ. His summarization of “restoration,” found in the chapter “The Unfinished Restoration” is one of the best statements in print on the subject! Read this carefully and prayerfully.
“The church which Christ built is neither denominational nor Protestant. It possesses no denominating creed, name or hierarchy. It was not founded in protest to any existing institution. It is not the product of the “Reformation” or the “Restoration.” But it is, and must be, the full-grown plant which has arisen from the “seed of the kingdom” sown in the hearts of men. Its origin is to be found in the gospel of Christ. It is founded on the apostles and prophets with Christ as the chief corner stone. To date its appearance in history earlier or later than the atonement of Christ is futile, for it is His body and He purchased it with His own blood. By its very nature, the body is exclusive: it is one. There could not conceivably be more than one body as there is but one head. In the presence of a divided Christendom one runs the risk of being misunderstood by suggesting that there is but one church. It is not here suggested that there is but one “denomination.” The church of Jesus Christ is neither Jewish, Catholic nor Protestant. It is non-denominational in its origin, worship and organization. It is the body of Christ, functioning according to New Testament directions, organized according to New Testament pattern and worshipping according to New Testament instructions, extensive enough to embrace in its fellowship all who comply with God‘s requirements and who thus become a part of that body. Moving on through time to its ultimate victory this “stone cut out of the mountain without hands” survives the rise and fall of temporal kingdoms and proves itself to be that which in reality it is — the Eternal Kingdom” (The Eternal Kingdom (Delight, Arkansas, Gospel Light Publishing Company, 1961) pp. 350-351).
“Is the restoration plea still valid? This is like asking: (1) Is it still necessary for men to have a proper diet? (2) Is there still a need for men to have adequate shelter from the elements? (3) Is it still the case that every seed brings forth after its kind? In order to produce a crop of corn is it still necessary to plant corn? Is it still the case that the seed of the kingdom is the word of God? Is it indeed the case that the New Testament does in fact set out the pattern for men to follow in their journey to eternity? If there was EVER a need for and justification of the Restoration plea, then there is still a need for and justification of the Restoration plea TODAY!” (Roy Deaver, Biblical Notes Vol. XVI, November 1982 pp. 105-106)
