If man would only go back to His Word and study it he will learn.
I hope you enjoy them.
All of the below articles are taken from the web site http://www.therestorationmovement.com/ It is sponsored by The Fayetteville Road Church of Christ in Fayetteville, Georgia. Visit the site and learn many things about the “The Restoration Movement.” They have many other interesting links, images and history of Circuit Preachers long remembered for their works in HIS WORD in getting back to the bible.
1. Restoration History Notes An Introduction
Introduction
A. Someone has said, “We are standing on the shoulders of giants.”
1. We often take the church for granted.
2. e.g. Lexington, Kentucky in 1900 was grounded having many faithful congregations. Had a college — “College of the Bible” etc.
a. In the 1960's Basil and Margie Overton went back into this area once again having to establish N.T. Christianity.
b. In less than 60 years the area went from faithful to non-existent.
c. The church today can do this if we take it for granted.
B. We need to study Church History for several Reasons.
1. Help us learn from the mistakes of the past and avoid them.
2. To build upon their successes, so we can grow from them.
3. Help us to appreciate God’s Church.
C. Before discussing restoration it is important to discuss the falling away and the need for restoration.
1. Should go back to see how the prophets foretold of the establishment of the church/kingdom.
2. Show how the church/kingdom are the same - often misunderstood.
a. Millennial Kingdom concept is a misinterpretation.
b. Explained: e.g. Husband/Father - same person but two relationships.
c. Church/Kingdom: Same but two relationships.
1) Church - Word showing Horizontal Relationships.
2) Kingdom - Word showing Vertical Relationship.
1. Dream of Nebuchadnezzar. v.32-35
a. Head of gold - v.36,37 – Babylon – 625-539 B.C.
b. Breast and arms of silver - v.39 - Medes & Persians - 539 B.C. cf. Dan. 5,6. cf. 5:28
c. Belly & thigh of brass - Greek (Alexander) - 330 B.C. - cf. 8:21
1) In vision of ram and goat – 8:21
d. Legs and Feet of Iron - 4th Kingdom - Rome - 30 B.C.
1) Toes & feet iron and miry clay mix. - partly strong partly weak.
2) 476 A.D. - Divided Kingdom
a) Western kingdom died.
b) Eastern kingdom lasted another 1000 years.
2. Daniel tells the dream and interprets it when no one else could.
3. v.44 - In the days of (d.) above God will raise up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.
1. Jerusalem, Mt. Zion
2. All nations come to it.
3. “In the last days . . . ”
1. Apocalyptic Language.
2. In the New Testament book of Acts it is fulfilled – Acts 2.
A. Matthew 16:13-19
1. “will build my church” v.18
2. “will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom.” v.19
1. Some on that occasion would see the kingdom.
2. Would come with power.
1. Joseph of Arimathaea
2. “who himself waited for the kingdom of God.”
1. Christ to suffer, and rise from the dead the third day.
2. Repentance and Remission of sins should be preached beginning in Jerusalem.
3. They were all witnesses
4. The promise of the Father would be sent unto them.
1. Continuation of Luke 24
2. Wait for the promise of the Father.
3. 1:26 - Matthias numbered with the eleven.
1. “They” - all accord in one place - the eleven & Matthias.
2. v.13ff - Peter unraveled the mystery (cf. Matt. 16:19)
3. Joel 2 reported in this sermon.
4. v.38 - Repent and be baptized (cf. Luke 24:46ff)
Conclusion.
No chapter other than Acts 2 shows all these prophecies of old being fulfilled. cf:
1. Revelation 1:9 - “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (KJV)
2. Colossians 1:13 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” (KJV)
3. II Thessalonians 1:5 “Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:” (KJV) J
A. Kingdom was established at Pentecost after D.B.R. of Jesus.
1. Mark 9:1
2. Revelation 1:9 - “I John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. . .”
3. Colossians 1:13 - “He has translated us out of the kingdom of darkness, into the kingdom of His dear Son.”
B. The Church then departed from the truth as time progressed.
Discussion.
I. What Happened To The Church Once It Has Been Established?
A. After Acts 2 the church grows and multiplies.
1. Acts 2:41 - 3000
2. Acts 4:4 - 5000
3. Acts 5:14 - “And believers were more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.”
4. Acts 6:1 - “And in
those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied. . .”
5. Acts 6:7 - “And the word of the Lord increased; and the number of the
disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests
were obedient to the faith.”
B. In Acts 8 - They spread because of persecution.
C. In Acts 9 Saul is persecuting the church, when he sees the light.
1. According to history he later became a victim of his own previous work.
2. Historians say about 68-69 AD Paul was put to death by some of Nero’s men because of false accusations of the Jews.
D. Problems in the churches developed.
1. 1 & 2 Corinthians deals with problems that developed.
2. Colosse had heresies such as Mysticism and Gnosticism.
3. In Revelation - Seven churches with problems.
a. 4 churches had things that needed changing.
b. 2 churches commended.
c. 1 - Laodecia - nothing found that was good.
4. Acts 20:28f - Paul warns of the future.
a. Grievous wolves in sheep’s clothing.
b. Even from within.
II. The End of The First Century.
A. Last of the Scriptures written.
B. Romans were persecuting Christians.
C. Domitian.
1. Ruler when John was exiled to Patmos until 96 A.D.
2. Domitian killed in 96 by his own personal servant.
3. He was a paranoid man, even suspecting his family to be after him.
4. Had become so afraid of those around him he locked himself in a room only allowing one of his trusted servants in.
5. The young “trusted” servant plotted to kill him because Domitian had killed his own master and stolen him to be the Caesar’s own servant.
6. Perhaps that is what John meant when he said, “these thing must shortly come to pass” in Revelation 1:3; 22:6.
a. because God was going to remove that evil thing that was killing His people.
7. “Stephanus, his trusted servant, killed him as he was about to take a bath.” -Seutonius - Roman Historian of the day.
8. Then the church was relieved for about 10-12 years.
III. The Second and Third Century.
A. Trajan came to power
1. 110-112 A.D. - Christians were persecuted in Asia Minor once again. Began allowing some of his governors to persecute Christians.
2. Asia Minor - Modern Turkey.
B. 160-180 - Marcus Aurelius - allowed persecution.
C. In 250 - another persecution arose.
D. Diocletian allowed Galarius to kill Christians in 286.
1. This began the worst persecution ever.
2. Thousands of Christians killed.
a. thrown to lions
b. burned at the stake.
c. served as torches on roads.
d. soaked in oil and tar, put on poles, in Diocletian’s garden. He would take his friends into the garden at night to show the beauty of his flowers and use the Christians as torch lights to illuminate the garden.
IV. The Fourth Century.
A. In 311 A.D. Galarius repented on his death bed.
1. Didn’t believe in God, but was sorry he had mistreated Christians.
2. Signed a law ceasing persecution of Christians.
B. 313 A.D. Constantine signed a law that Christians would never be persecuted again by the Roman government.
V. The Church during this time.
A. Had slowly fallen away by this time.
B. In 175 A.D. some of the writers of the time had written that a bishop was different from an elder - one was selected to be head over the other elders.
C. About 250 A.D. - They began selecting one man from each of those bishops around the country to be head of all the area “diocese”.
D. By 606 A.D. - The Catholic Church declared Boniface III to be the universal head of the church.
1. It was determined at that time that whatever he spoke were the words of God.
2. cf. Heb. 1:1,2
E. Paul painted this picture in 2 Thessalonians 2:3ff - perhaps had papal Rome in mind.
F. By 580 - Instruments of music were added to the church worship and rejected.
1. About 60 years later they were introduced again and gladly received.
2. How error creeps in - It is a slow process but it comes.
VI. After 1000 A.D.
A. By 1100 - Papal customs came in - Holy water, etc.
B. By 1200 - Baptism by sprinkling.
1. A few years later began praying through Mary. - In 1967 she was finally deified by the church.
2. Sprinkling of the dead began to save them.
a. cf. Heb. 9:27
b. cf. 1 John 5:17
C. In 1415 John Huss, in Prague, Czechlosovakia was burned at the stake.
1. The bones of John Wycliffe were dug up and burned as well.
2. These signified that the Catholic Church was not going to put up with heresy.
3. The sin of these men was the desire that every man be allowed to study the Bible for themselves.
VII. Reformation - 1500 - 1800’s
A. 1517 - Martin Luther, a Catholic Monk, rebelled against papal authority.
1. Though he knew what happened to Huss and Wycliffe he stood up for truth.
2. Listed “95 Theses” or 95 things wrong with the church and nailed them to the doors of the church at Wittenburg, Germany. In these he challenged the priests to respond - none responded.
3. The pope wrote him and told him to recant, if not, excommunication.
4. Luther takes the letter and burns it on a public bonfire in Wittenburg, Germany. Then pope was out to get him.
B. Luther Started Something.
1. People began to get texts of Scripture.
2. Others Stood up - Zwingli and Calvin in Switzerland.
C. William Tyndale desired “to see the Bible in the hands of every plowman”
1. Henry 8th burned him at the stake in 1529.
2. Tyndale died with these words on his lips, “O, God open the eyes of the king of England.”
3. In less than 30 years, the same king commissioned Miles Coverdale to revise Tyndales work to make it available to the people --A sign that God answers prayer!
4. About 12 or 13 translations took place before the KJV in 1611.
D. During this time effort was made to reform the Catholic Church.
1. Luther and Zwingli tried to straighten it up.
2. Not working.
3. Erasmus - produced the Greek text in 1516.
VIII. Restoration
A. In early 1800’s men began to realize that reformation was not going to work.
B. Restoration was a must!
1. Back to the Bible.
2. Speak where the Bible speaks, and silent where it is silent.
3. Production of the Church of the New Testament was the goal.
1. Most prominent preacher of the day among all religious groups.
a. like a Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell of today.
2. Yet he started a movement to go back to the Bible.
3. He begged people to wear the name “Christian” only, not “Campbellites”
4. “If I say it and the Bible doesn’t, don’t believe it,” was his attitude.
5. He didn’t start a new church, he sought the church of old.
6. He used the pattern of N.T. Scripture to rebuild the first church.
7. It is like a seed that grows:
a. Plant the seed and it grows the kind planted.
b. Not sowing corn and getting beans.
c. Sow the Bible and you get a Bible kind of church.
A. The concept of the Lord’s church has suffered change over time.
B. But we can have the church of the Bible, if our will is to bring it about. J
I. John Wycliffe – (1328-1384)
A. English clergyman who studied and taught at Oxford for most of his life.
B. Setting – Roman Church owns most of the property in England and Europe.
1. Clergymen were nothing more than immoral and dishonest land owners.
2. Heavily burdened the people.
1. In it he declared that there needed to be a moral basis for ecclesiastical leadership. (All priests should be good men)
2. Said land ownership was the root of the problem.
3. The king at the time, John of Gaunt, was delighted to relieve the Roman church of its property to “purify the priesthood.”
a. This also gave Wycliffe English Royal protection.
b. Led to church reform in 1378.
C. After 1379 Wycliffe began opposing Catholic dogma.
1. Authority of the Pope
a. He insisted in writing that the Pope was not the head of the church, Christ was! (Call the Pope – Anti-Christ!)
b. That there were only two orders of officers in the church: elders and deacons.
2. The Bible, NOT THE CHURCH, was the sole authority for man.
3. The church should re-model itself after the pattern of the N.T.
4. In 1382 – Opposed the doctrine of Transubstantiation, private masses, extreme unction (anointing the sick, from James 5:14,15), & purgatory, etc.
D. Solidified with the preparation of a translation of N.T. in English – 1382.
1. O.T. finished by Nicholas of Hereford in 1384.
E. Wycliffe’s views condemned in London in 1382.
1. He was forced to retire to his rectory at Lutterworth.
2. He founded a group of lay preachers called Lollards.
a. They went throughout England teaching Wycliffe’s ideas.
b. Until in 1401 the Roman church forced the statute De Haeretico Comburendo through Parliament making the teaching of Lollard ideas punishable by death.
D. 31 years after his death, he was declared a heretic, his bones removed from their tomb, burned and the ashes thrown into the Avon river.
II. John (Jan) Hus – (1373-1415) –
A. Students of Hus had come from Oxford, England where they had been indoctrinated by Wycliffe, sharing these views with him.
B. Bohemian (Prague) pastor of Bethlehem chapel and rector of the university of Prague in 1409 developed the views of Wycliffe to rely on the authority of Scriptures.
1. 1409 – headed the National Bohemian Party in cause of reform.
2. Was excommunicated by both the archbishop and the pope, and later the Council of Constance condemned him as a heretic.
C. His desires to reform the church in Prague made him a papal enemy resulting in being burned at the stake July 6, 1415.
D. In 1413 He wrote De Ecclesia (De=About / Ecclesia=the Church).
E. After His death the Taborites (radical followers of Hus) developed.
1. More fully withdrew from Roman Church.
2. 1450 – Some of the Taborite group formed Unitas Fratrum (Unity of Brethren, or United Brethren) or Bohemian Brethren.
3. By 1517 they had 200,000 members and two printing presses.
4. From this group that the Moravian church exists today.
5. The U.S. headquarters are in Pennsylvania.
F. Known as the “John the Baptist of the Reformation” — Meaning — Forerunner of the Reformation.
III. Savonarola (1452–1498) (Florence, Italy)
A. A writer and became Dominican Monk in 1474.
B. Assigned to Florence in 1490.
C. Tried to reform both state and church.
1. Preached against the evil life of the pope.
2. He was offered the position of Cardinal in hopes that he would be loyal to the church, but he refused.
1. He confessed to doing wrong under torture.
2. He retracted his confession and was hanged and his body burned in 1498.
IV. What Catholicism Had Become
1. By "simony" is meant the purchase of an office in the church, the name and the offense coming from Simon Magus (the Sorcerer), who offered Peter money for the power to confer the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:9-24)
2. Simony was reformed by Gregory VII.
3. It had grown up in the church as the feudal system came into being.
a. The ecclesiastical vacancies were sold to the highest bidder.
b. The most unsuitable persons became bishops and abbots (Mediaeval and Modern History, Myers, p.115‑116)
1. This was the purchase of forgiveness, both now and after death.
2. John Tetzel's sale of Indulgences was the occasion for Martin Luther's break with Rome - 1517
3. According to Roman teaching, purgatory is very much the same as hell, only it does not last as long, but all have to pass through it.
4. The pope claimed to have the authority and power to lessen or remit these sufferings.
5. It began with Popes Pascal I (817‑824) and John VIII (872‑882)
a. It was very profitable
b. Soon came into general use
c. They were offered as inducement to go on crusades or wars against heretics, etc.
5. This became a way of “selling the privilege of sin” (Halley's Bible Handbook, Halley, p.787)
1. French control of the papacy (1303‑1378)
a. Benedict XI (1303‑1304)
b. After his death, papal place moved from Rome to Auignon, France
2. "Babylonian Captivity" of the papacy (1305‑1387)
a. Burdensome taxes were imposed
b. Church offices were sold for money
3. The Papal Schism (1377‑1417)
a. Two sets of popes, one at Rome, one at Auignon
b. Each set claimed to be "Vicar of Christ"
4. Renaissance Popes (1447‑1503)
a. Nicolas V (1447‑1455), authorized the king of Portugal to war on Africans, making slaves of them
b. Paul II (1464‑1471) filled his house with concubines
c. Innocent VIII (1484‑1492) had 16 children by various married women
d. Alexander VI (1492‑1503) was called the most corrupt of the Renaissance popes (Halley's Bible Handbook, Halley, p.778‑779)
1. Council of Constance (1414‑1418) far surpassed that of Pisa, and any which followed.
a. The council proposed three objects:
1) To bring Schism to an end
2) To pass a judgment on the doctrines of Wycliffe and Huss
3) To carry out that same reform, a reform of the church in head and in members, which for all that were true of heart had been long the dearest object of their desire; and which the mournful experience had not yet taught them was never through a council to be obtained.
b. The pope's aim was to bear the council in hand till a decent opportunity for getting rid of it shall arrive.
2. Council of Pisa, Italy (1409)
a. It purposed two main objects:
1) The restoration of peace, by a restoration of unity of the church. Since 1378 two popes ruled: George XII in Rome, Italy and Benedict XIII in Avignon, France. The council of Pisa was to seek union of papal power, but failed.
2) The second, the reformation of it in head and in members.
b. There were twenty three cardinals and either in person or by proxy, some
two hundred bishops, nearly three hundred abbots, with doctors of theology and
of the canon and the civil law, little short of five hundred, and others in
assembly.
c. It lasted a little more than four months; from March 25 to August 7, 1409
d. The council became deserted by many of its principal members and was adjourned for three years.
3. The Unam Sanctam – (Urged By Faith)
a. Pope Boniface VIII and Philip IV, the Fair, (King of France) (1285‑1314) were in a mortal quarrel.
b. Letters were exchanged, and all decencies of language on both sides were cast away.
c. In the end, the famous bull, called Unam Sanctam from the opening words, was published on Nov. 18, 1302.
1) it declared that every human being was subject to the Roman Pontiff, which is necessary for salvation.
2) Philip was not terrified
d. Philip led a band of lawless soldiers in an attach on Boniface and gained victory.
V. The Rise Of Knowledge Planted The Seed Of Reform.
1. Petrarch (1304-1374)
a. Known as the first of the Humanists
b. Was the first to fully realize and appreciate the supreme excellence and beauty of classical literature and its value as a means of culture.
c. He had great feelings for the material monuments of classical antiquity.
d. He called into existence a school of ardent young humanists who looked up to him as master.
2. Humanism Develops.
a. With mid‑fifteenth century invention of printing with movable type, popular education became widespread and new educational ideals arose.
b. Luther favored widespread teaching
c. The demand for books was great
d. The great controversies brought many pamphlets, tracts, and brilliant works on classics, history, criticism, education and politics
e. A study of the languages became common place for their aesthetic value – In the process leading to greater knowledge – Planting the seed for later revolt.
3. Erasmus
a. One of the greatest humanists of the age was Erasmus of Rotterdam (1536)
1) A scholar, promoter of classical erudition
2) Editor of the Greek text of the Bible
3) Author of The Praise of Folly - A renaissance satire looking at the frivolity of learning, but ending with the sharing of his concerns and beliefs of how Christians should act.
4. Other Leading Northern Humanists Of That Day:
a. Thomas More (1478-1535) – English Author & Catholic Martyr
b. Ulrich von Hutten – (1488-1523) – German Patriot, Poet, Knight, Classical Scholar, Satirist
c. Johann Reuchlin (1455-1522) – German Humanist and Hebrew Scholar (Western Civilization Since 1500, Kirchner p.29‑30)
1. Practical reformation has never been possible without the average person having access to the scripture itself
2. Early attempts to translate it into English were made before 1000 A.D.
3. Wycliffe did not use the original Greek and Hebrew, but translated the Latin Vulgate of Jerome into English
a. This translation was used extensively by the Lollards, the followers of Wycliffe
b. It also influenced the Husite Reformation in Bohemia
4. The first printed English New Testament was that of William Tyndale (1495‑1536); published part of the Old Testament also.
a. He used the original language.
b. Translated the New Testament in 1525
c. The Pentateuch in 1530
d. Book of Jonah in 1531
e. Psalms in 1534
f. His work was so good that when the King James Version was done later, it was about 90% identical with that of Tyndale.
5. In 1535 the Miles Coverdale work began, which was taken mostly from Wycliffe and Tyndale.
6. In 1557 the Bible was divided into chapters and verses. There was also a prologue to each book with summaries and notes throughout.
7. By 1579 versions were so readily available that the average home was able to afford one.
8. The Bishop's Bible was published in 1586; it was a revision of the Great Bible.
9. From 1615 till 1769 there were many revisions of the King James Version.
10. A better English translation was published in 1881, due to the discoveries of the Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Sinaiticus
a. There were advanced orders for almost two million copies
b. Over three million copies were sold the first year
11. In 1901, the American Revision Committee brought out a version which was more in keeping with American usage than the English version (The Eternal Kingdom, Mattox, p.274‑278)
VI. The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries – The Reformation
1. Long range
a. The church had apostatized from New Testament purity, and was corrupt in the dark ages. 1) These abuses came from within the church itself
2) This had destroyed the unity
b. There were many false doctrines in the church
2. Immediate
a. The papacy had reached the zenith of its power and was using it to promote its selfish interests
b. The entire church could be characterized as being morally bankrupt
c. It was under these conditions that sincere reformers arose to work for a moral and spiritual regeneration (The Eternal Kingdom, Mattox, p. 219‑223)
1. Martin Luther was born in 1483, the son of a miner.
2. He studied law, then theology, and became an Augustine monk
a. His superiors sent him to Wittenberg, Saxony, to teach
b. Terrified by the corruption he had seen in Rome, doubtful as to many teachings of the church, and convinced that only faith and grace can lead to man's salvation
c. Posted October 31,1517 ninety‑five thesis on the church door, attacking one of the worst abuses, the sale of indulgences
3. In 1520, Luther published three pamphlets
a. He described Rome's abuses
b. Demanded reforms in morals and in do gma
c. Attacked some of the sacraments, transubstantiation, and worship of the saints
d. He insisted that the Bible alone constituted the final authority for a Christian
4. He was protected by Frederick III, Elector of Saxony, or Known as Frederick, The Wise. – (1463-1525)
5. The pope (Leo X) threatened a ban of excommunication against Luther, but Luther publicly burned the pope's bull, and protested to be subjected to God only (Dec. 10,1520)
6. He attended the Diet of Worms in 1521, where he again restated his position – This Diet excommunicated Luther & Outlawed writings
7. Luther's religious reforms eventually turned into a European movement (Western Civilization Since 1500, Kirchner, p.41‑42)
8. Even before the death, which occurred in the year 1546, the Reformation had gained a strong foothold in most of the countries of Western Christendom (Mediaeval and Modern History, Myers, p.308)
C. Roman Opposition
1. Called the counter‑Reformation, during which time the old church underwent a spiritual revival and administrative renovation
a. It failed to destroy the Protestant Reformation
b. It was some time before it was generally realized how powerful a new religious inspiration had come into the world (The Reformation Crisis, Hurstfield, P.50)
2. The main characteristic of revised Catholicism was its effort to regain by force the territory lost to the Protestants
3. The history of this armed struggle which lasted nearly one hundred and fifty years falls into three periods
a. The attack on the Calvinistic regions of Western Europe (1542‑98)
b. The attack on the Lutheran regions of Central Europe (1618‑48)
c. The struggle which led to English world supremacy (The Focal Points of Christian History, Dametz, p.121)
1. Centers about the name of Ulrich Zwingli (1484‑1531)
a. Born in the village of Wildhaus
b. At age of fourteen, went to Bern where he studied under Heinrich Wolflin
c. For two years he studied at the University of Vienna
d. He became a famous preacher, and taught against many of the Catholic doctrines
2. His teachings broke out in other cantons ‑‑ the confederacy became divided into two hostile groups and preparations were made for war.
3. On June 8,1529, Zurich, the leader of the Protestant league, declared war.
a. The troops voted against it, so peace was negotiated
b. The peace, signed at Cappel on June 24,1529, was lacking in precision and thus contained the germs of future dispute
c. Zwingli was killed in the second Swiss revolt which took place on Oct. 11,1531, at Cappel, ten miles south of Zurich (The Renaissance, The Protestant Revolution, and The Catholic Reformation In Continental Europe, Holme, P.269‑275)
1. Radical reformers who differed widely among themselves, were generally known as Anabaptists
a. This suggests the idea of one baptism on top of another
b. Was applied to these because they rejected the validity of infant baptism, saying that for baptism to be valid, the person must voluntarily submit to it as a believer
2. They were persecuted by both Catholics and the followers of Luther and Zwingli
3. They were very close to the New Testament pattern
a. Believed the church was composed of believers only
b. Rejected infant baptism
c. Church membership was based on faith and conscious submission to baptism
4. There were many leaders of this movement who became corrupt (1) One had seventeen wives (2) Polygamy was approved
5. The Catholics and Protestants united to stamp out the movement, and almost succeeded (1) One man was left (2) He studied the scripture and saved the movement from destruction (The Eternal Kingdom; Mattox, P. 262‑265)
1. As Protestantism advanced, the execution of the Edict of Worms became less and less practicable
2. Many Catholics in the north had professed Luther’s ideas while people in the south were predominately Catholic.
3. This was made manifest at the Diet of Speier in 1526 under Archduke Ferdinand in the name of the emperor (Lutheran influence strong at this meeting)
4. The Protestant princes dared for the first time to profess their faith
5. The Diet came with the consent of Ferdinand to the unanimous conclusion Aug. 27, that a general or national council should be convened for the settlement of the church question concerning the Edict of Worms.
B. The Second Diet of Speier convened in March, 1529 for action against the Turks and against further progress of Protestantism
1. This meeting drew a majority of Catholics this time.
2. The Diet neutralized the recess of the preceding Diet of 1526
a. It virtually condemned (without annulling) the innovations made
b. It forbade any further reformation until the meeting of the council
3. The Lutheran members, under well‑founded impression that the prohibition of any future reformation meant death to the whole movement, entered in the legal form of appeal, a protest, on April 25,1529, against those measures of the Diet which were contrary to the word of God.
4. From this protest and appeal the Lutherans were called Protestants (History of the Christian Church, Schaff, vol.7, p.683‑686, 690‑693)
1. Born at Noyon, July 10,1509
2. Educated for the church, he was presented, at the age of twelve, to a benefice in the Cathedral of Noyon, France, about 60 miles NE of Paris.
3. Later, he began to preach the doctrine of Reformation
a. He became the organizer of a systematic Protestantism and laid down principles which have influenced a large part of the Protestant world until today.
b. The term "Calvinism" is used to designate the system of theology worked out by him.
c. The word "Presbyterian" has also been used to describe the system of government Calvin adopted to the church in Switzerland
4. In order to spread his Reformation ideas, Calvin established a college with Theodore Beza as head
a. It was so popular that students from all over Western Europe came to study, including John Knox of Scotland.
b. Later, they returned to their home countries to spread Calvin's ideas (McClintock & Strong, vol.2, p.39)
5. His Teachings
a. He believed the Bible was the infallible guide for the church, however, he also believed the Bible could be properly interpreted only by the elect
b. He gave the Ten Commandments a very important place in theology
c. He taught that the purpose of life was to glorify God instead of seeking pleasure
d. Discipline, with excommunication for those who would not conform, was his rule
e. He required every church member to partake of the communion at least four times a year, but he believed the sacraments were only for the elect
f. At Geneva, Switzerland, 1536 - Cursed the world with his doctrine. - Augustinian Influence - Tulip Doctrine.
1) Total Hereditary Depravity (Sin of Adam inherited by all)
2) Unconditional Election - (Predestination)
3) Limited Atonement -(Jesus died for limited amount of people.)
4) Irresistible Grace - (Given to those predestined irresistibly.)
5) Perseverance Of The Saints - (Once Saved Always Saved)
6. Calvin died in 1564 and Theodore Beza took his place as leader (The Eternal Kingdom, Mattox, p.257‑260)
D. Council of Trent (1545 – 1563)
1. The reform of the church was carried out in great measure by the Council of Trent
2. The most important church assembly since that of Nicaea, 325 A.D.
3. It passed upon all points that had been raised by the reformers
a. Declared the traditions of the church to be of equal authority with the Bible
b. Reasserted the divine character of the papacy
c. Condemned as heresy the Lutheran doctrine of justification by faith only
d. Made everything so clear that no one need err either in doctrine or duty and demanded that the lives of priests and bishops should be an exemplification of Christian purity and morality.
4. These measures helped to check the Protestant movement. (Mediaeval and Modern History, Myers, p.310-311)
VIII. Other Reform
A. Thomas Cartwright - In 1572 began Presbyterian Church of England.
B. Baptist Church – John Smyth – 1607 - First Baptist In England - 1611.
C. John Knox – 1550’s development of the Presbyterian church of Scotland.
D. These denominations are still here today.
E. Other Things To Consider.
1. These men began to stand up. Though they taught wrong things, they gave others courage to stand up.
2. About that time, Rupertus Meldenius (Peter Meiderlin, the Lutheran priest) said, “In essentials (doctrine) unity, in non-essentials (opinions) liberty, in all things charity.” - 1626
3. In 1809 Thomas Campbell reworded this statement by saying, “We will speak where the Bible speaks, and we will remain silent where the Bible is silent.” or “We will do Bible things in Bible ways.” "Call Bible things by Bible Names."
IX. Reformation in England
A. Henry VIII at This Time. - Early 1500's (Henry b.1491 d.1547)
1. Divorced Catherine of Aragon
2. He remarried Ann Bolyn
3. They have a daughter, Elizabeth, which disappointed him greatly.
4. He has Ann killed
5. She had been his wife exactly 1000 days - She was called “Ann Of The Thousand Days”
6. Henry was out hunting deer while Ann was being led to the chopping block in the Tower of London.
7. Finally one son came to him, Edward from one of his wives. He was a sickly child.
8. When Henry finally died, Edward was king only 5 years before he died.
B. Mary, daughter of Catherine came to the throne.
1. The people wondered what to do at that point. They had never had a queen in charge before.
2. Henry’s law of earlier years also made the king the head of the church.
3. Couldn’t have a woman over the church, so the Archbishop of Canterbury was appointed head of the church while England was ruled by a queen.
4. Since 1953 Elizabeth II is queen, the Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the church. When she dies, Charles will be king and head of the church.
5. When Mary became queen, she was so angry at her father for divorcing her mother, Catherine. Also, she was a devout Catholic.
6. Remember, out of Spain came the Spanish Inquisition - that gave people an opportunity to be Christian - if not they where killed. It came to the Americas and was responsible for the killings of Montezuma, the Indians and the Aztec nations. Pizzaro and Desoto took it to Peru and the Incas were destroyed. - Would tie people between two horses and whip the horses until they were split down the middle.
7. Mary and Catherine were of the Spanish influence.
a. They were Catholic to the core.
b. When Henry booted out all the Catholic priests, took over the cathedrals, and confiscated the land (about 25% of the land in England), this would have made them very angry.
c. That would be like all the land north of Marietta to Tennessee line belonging to the Catholics, then confiscated by Henry.
8. Mary tried to restore Catholicism.
a. When doing so, heads rolled, literally. - Many Anglican priests.
b. Two such priests, Nicolas Riddley and Hugh Latimer were burned at the stake.
1. They revolted against Mary.
2. They paid by being burned at the stake.
3. Foxes Book of Martyrs reports that a witness standing by heard Latimer say to Riddley as the flame got higher, “I believe a fire has been started today, that can not be put out.”
4. Humorous sound, but a pointed thought. England was on a road of no return. People were not going to put up with this forever.
c. Mary killed so many people in her efforts to return to Catholicism, that she was later called, “Bloody Mary.”
1. When she came to throne after Mary’s death she displayed some good sense.
2. Saw that many in England rebelled both against Catholicism and Anglicanism.
3. She gave religious freedom to the people.
4. These are the seeds of Restorationism.
5. She let people study their Bibles and worship God the way they saw fit.
6. Presbyterianism came in 1572.
7. Knox in Scotland in the 1550’s.
8. She died in 1603.
1. In 1607 John Smyth started the Baptist Church, built on Calvinistic principles.
2. The Puritan faith started around that time.
3. In 1611 - the King James Bible is issued.
4. By 1621 when the pilgrims came to Plymouth Rock, Mass. they had more religious freedom than ever before.
5. Though good, the bad part about it was the rise of denominationalism.
E. And More Division Continued.
1. In 1727 - John Wesley began a movement in the Anglican Church that was fully established on December 25, 1784 called the Methodist Episcopal Church.
a. The founder of Methodism
b. He was an ordained priest in the Episcopal (Anglican) Church
c. He lived and died an Episcopalian and had no intention of organizing a new church
d. John and Charles Wesley, with Whitefield and about a dozen other students at Oxford, formed a society for the purpose of overcoming the formalism and ritualism of the Episcopal church and to stimulate spirituality.
e. Other societies were organized and because of their methodical manner of life they were called Methodists
f. Upon the death of Wesley, these societies banded together under a conference and became known as the Methodist Episcopal Church (Churches of Today, Tomlinson, p.57)
2. In 1807 - By the time Thomas Campbell comes to U.S. there are at least five different splintering groups of Presbyterian churches. Thomas was later ashamed of being a part of it.
F. In 1669 a group of men had grown tired of all the religious division in the world.
1. Toddlebank, just north of Liverpool, the church of Christ was begun.
2. Not exactly the N.T. church, but a genuine push for it.
3. In Aug. 18th, 1669 - 1854 they documented all their efforts in a book still extant called “The Church Book at Toddlebank”
4. Things they taught.
a. Local Church Autonomy, with own elders to shepherd.
b. Selected an elder to be an evangelist to surrounding area, called "the teaching elder." He also started new churches.
c. They supported this man financially.
5. They were not the N.T. church exactly.
6. There were about 3 other churches in G.Britain that were doing the same things as Toddlebank, one at London, and a couple other places. - (Note - Not quite the church of the New Testament, but close.)
G. In 1824 a group pulled away from Toddlebank and became the Kirkby Church of Christ which still meets today.
1. For 30 years that church met and were not so much as aware of Barton Stone, Alexander Campbell, or any other leader in the American Restoration Movement.
H. Dates and Originators of Denominations of This Time
1. Dutch Reformed
a. 1567
b. Duke of Alva began a persecution and many Dutchmen were driven to England where they were allowed to worship as they pleased
c. This was the beginning of the Dutch Reform
2. Puritanism
a. 1570
b. Thomas Cartwright
c. Beliefs:
1. Archbishops and archdeacons should be abolished.
2. The church’s officers should be modeled on the New Testament.
3. Every church should be governed by its own minister and elders.
4. Ministers should be responsible for one church, not many.
5. No man should solicit for a church appointment.
6. Church officers should be chosen by the church, not the state.
3. Quakers
a. 1650
b. George Fox and James Nailer
4. Baptists
a. 1608
b. John Smyth and Thomas Helwys
5. Methodists
a. 1744
b. John Wesley (The Eternal Kingdom, Mattox, p.280‑288) J
A. John Wyclif’s Reform In England – 14th Century.
B. Introduction into Scotland of Lutheranism in the 16th Century by Patrick Hamilton and George Wisehart.
C. John Knox’s Introduction of Reformed Church – 1559
I. Background To Glas Movement in the 18th Century.
A. The Protestant insistence upon absolute authority of Scriptures.
B. Ecclesiastical (Church) independence & autonomy of churches.
C. The development of the presbytery.
D. The assimilation of Calvinistic belief in Scottish churches while rejecting Catholicism & Lutheranism.
II. The Earliest Reforms Of Scotland
1. In 1365, 1 yr. Prior to Wyclif’s resignation, 81 passports were granted to Scottish students to study at Oxford.
2. In 1415 a Scottish theologian, Jean Gerson complained about the uprise of Wyclif ideas in Scotland.
1. Lutheran books were entering Scotland to the point that in 1525 the Scottish Parliament banned the bringing in of any Lutheran material into Scotland.
1. Ordained priest who led the first reformation in Scotland.
2. He had spent 6 months in Germany with Luther.
3. Debated an envoy from the Catholic church, Alexander Alesius and converted him as a result.
4. He believed the concept of celibacy in the church was wrong.
a. Pressing the point by marrying.
b. Archbishop Beaton of St. Andrews strongly opposed it.
c. Led to his being seized and burned at the stake, Feb. 29, 1528
d. Such did not sit well with the people of Scotland.
1. Forced into exile in 1538 due to a heresy charge by Catholic Church.
a. Fled to Strasbourg, and on to Zurich, influenced by Swiss reformers.
b. Influenced to hold to Biblical Authority for faith and practice.
2. Through him, many Reformers in Scotland heralded Biblical authority.
3. Returned to Scotland in 1544.
a. Preached Protestantism.
b. Calvinism (Swiss influence)
c. Authority of Scriptures
d. Presbyterian (elders) form of Church government.
e. Local autonomy of churches.
4. Between 1544 and 1546, John Knox began following Wishart on preaching tours.
a. Was present at Wisehart’s arrest on Jan. 16, 1546.
b. Wisehart defended himself before accuser (Cardinal Beaton)
c. 18 articles read against him.
d. He was against purgatory, mass, transubstantiation, the sacraments, veneration of saints, & celibacy.
5. He was sentenced to being burned at the stake.
a. Furious uproar among the people as a result.
b. Cardinal Beaton was murdered on May 28, 1546 in retaliation of Wisehart’s death.
F. Scottish Catholicism was a factor in bringing on Reform.
1. Immorality
a. Cardinal Beaton of St. Andrews had nine children.
b. Bishop Hepburn had ten by different mothers
2. In 1558 the Catholic General Provincial Council enacted several statutes condemning concubines, rearing children in households, designating money to rear illegitimate children.
3. Not only were the religious leaders immoral, but also incompetent.
4. As a result many Catholics stayed away from masses.
a. Problem so bad that in 1558 the council passed a statute of punishment for those who willfully absented themselves from mass.
5. As much as any factor that lead to the reformation in Scotland, the internal decay of the Catholic Church greatly contributed as much as any.
1. Ordained priest after attending University of Glasgow and St. Andrews.
2. 1546 – associated with Wisehart.
3. 1547 – The next year entered the Protestant stronghold at St. Andrews (where Cardinal Beaton had been murdered) for protection.
a. In July, 1547 the Catholics overtook the stronghold with French naval help.
b. Knox served the next 19 mos. as slave in the galley of a French naval vessel – released in 1549
4. After release received a Protestant preacher’s license from English King Edward VI (son of Henry VIII) in 1549.
5. In 1553, (Catholic Queen Mary Tudor came to throne in England he fled to Europe and met John Calvin in Geneva.
a. Calvin’s influence on Knox was what carried Calvinism to Scotland upon Knox’s return after the death of Mary.
b. Close friend to Calvin until his death in 1564.
6. 1559 – Knox returned to Scotland
a. Political Crisis in Scotland at the time
1) Elizabeth came to English throne in 1558.
2) Mary, Queen Of Scots, recently recognized as queen of France was regarded as the rightful heir to the English throne.
3) The French plan to use Scotland as a base to overtake England failed as a result of Scottish Protestants who were aided by the English fighting against them.
b. Knox believed that the TRUE church had 3 distinct marks:
1) True preaching of the Word of God.
2) Church discipline was to be administered as God’s Word prescribes.
3) The right administration of the sacraments of Christ.
c. The Scot’s Confession was passed by the Reformed faith.
1) Abolished papal rule in Scotland
2) Abolished all doctrines and practices contrary to new confession.
3) Forbade the celebration of mass.
d. By year’s end the General Assembly for the Reformed Church of Scotland was formed.
7. Wrote Two Disciplines
a. The Book of Discipline - 1560
1) Baptism and the Lord’s Supper could be administered where the word of God was preached.
b. The Second Book of Discipline – 1575
H. Scotland’s Reform After Knox.
1. In May, 1597, King James VI of Scotland became involved strongly in Reformed church affairs.
2. In 1603, he ascended to the English throne as King James I
3. He sought to unite the Scottish Reform church and the English church.
4. In August, 1647 the General Assembly of Edinburgh adopted the Calvinistic document intended to bind the churches in Britain together called the “Westminster Confession of Faith.”
III. John Glas
1. Born Sept. 21, 1695, Fife, Scotland
2. Father, Thomas was a minister for the Church of Scotland.
3. John attended grammar school at Perth and later attended St. Leonard’s College at St. Andrews. M.A. – May 6, 1713
4. Then attended University of Edinburgh
5. Received a Calvinistic education both at home and from University.
6. Licensed as a Presbyterian minister at Dunkeld Presbytery on May 20, 1718, later at Tealing in Forfarshire May 6, 1719.
a. There 5 years.
B. His ministry.
1. Determined early on to make the Word of God his sole rule of conduct.
2. Very early at Tealing he began preaching a series of lessons from the Shorter Catechism (Presbyterian Manual)
a. Noted there were strong differences in it at the Bible.
b. He remained silent at first.
3. In 1727 he wrote The Testimony of the King of Martyrs Concerning His Kingdom.
a. Opposed state churches and
b. Intervention of civil authorities in church matters.
4. Came to realize concerning the church:
a. It was composed of those who had experienced the grace of Christ.
b. Separated themselves from the world
c. Gathered themselves in the church
d. Therefore, no place for Civil affairs.
5. Ultimately separated from the Tealing church and started an Independent church, July 13, 1725. – 100 persons attended.
a. They agreed to follow Christ the Lord.
b. Work together in brotherly love.
c. Subjecting themselves to Mr. Glas as overseer in the Lord.
d. Observed the Lords Supper monthly. (rather than quarterly in Scottish church.
e. Follow the practice of church discipline found in Matthew 18
f. Formed themselves into a Society of believers – Still a Presbyterian.
1. August 6, 1726 at Strathmartine.
2. Began at John 6:69 and went to John 18:36,37 showing that Christ’s kingdom was not of this world.
a. Therefore No earthly kingdom.
b. No earthly civil designation of authority — Keep in mind that the prevalent thought of the day was that the nature of the Kingdom was physical. e.g. William, The Conqueror, 1066 – “Domesday Book” commissioned in 1085 to list all the businesses of G.B. for the purpose of readying for the kingdom of Christ on earth.
c. This was close to treason
3. He was brought before a number of synod meetings.
a. Sept. 6, 1726 – Presbytery of Dundee
b. Oct. 1726 – Synod of Dundee
c. April, 1727 – Synod of Angus and Mearns
d. Oct, 1727 – Synod of Montrose
e. April, 1728 – Synod of Angus and Mearns.
1) Members submitted 26 questions to Glas and his reply was discussed.
2) Glas suspended as minister
f. Appeal at General assembly in Edinburgh, May 2, 1728.
g. October 17,1728 – Synod of Dundee
1) Should they continue the suspension of depose Glas?
2) They voted to depose, (kick him out of the church.)
i. He appealed to the highest church court, but on March 12, 1730 the high court confirmed his deposition.
j. In 1739 the General Assembly broke precedence and revoked the sentence of deposition.
1) Though it restored Glas as a minister, it didn’t restore him as a minister of the church of Scotland.
2) Glas never requested this, but it’s happening showed a sign of softening against Congregationalism.
E. The Last Years Of His Ministry.
1. In 1730 he continued to minister to the new Tealing Society.
2. Moved to Dundee and opened a bookstore to support himself.
3. Moved to Perth in 1733
a. His independent reputation was not quickly accepted here.
b. When opening his new meetinghouse there, some of the town people threw mud at the attendees.
c. The town clerk, George Miller, intervened and kept the meetinghouse from being destroyed.
4. In 1734 Glas established a congregational church in Edinburgh.
a. There met a man named Robert Sandeman.
b. Later Sandeman became his son-in-law.
5. Churches sprang up all over Scotland – though Dundee church remained the strongest.
6. John Glas died November 2, 1773 – 78 years of age
a. Survived by 15 children, wife had died in 1749
b. Most of family is buried at Dundee in “Old Howff” cemetery.
IV. Robert Sandeman
A. Background
1. Born April 19, 1718.
2. His father, David, a linen merchant and magistrate in Perth.
3. Attended the University of Edinburgh to prepare for the ministry in the Church of Scotland. - 1734
4. As a youth he became acquainted with John Glas & his ideas.
5. In 1735 he returned to Perth to begin an apprenticeship in the weaving business (now convinced that he would not be a minister)
6. In 1737 he married Katherine, the daughter of John Glas.
7. Set up a weaving business in 1740.
8. In 1744 he left the business and devoted more time to church.
9. In 1756 his brother Thomas married another of Glas’ daughters, Anne Glas.
B. Church Work.
1. In 1744, aged 26, he became elder of Perth Congregational Church.
2. For next 16 years he preached at Perth, Dundee, and finally at Edinburgh.
3. In 1757 he wrote a 2 volume work, Letters on Theron and Aspasio
a. This was a rebuttal to a Calvinistic work called Theron and Aspasio written by James Hervey (England) in 1755.
b. As a result of Sandeman’s rebuttals, many English congregational churches began.
4. This catapulted Sandeman’s significance in the eyes of evangelicals throughout the British kingdom.
5. In April, 1761 he, along with brother William went to London to teach his congregational ideas.
a. United with men such as Samuel Pike and John Barnard who had an independent evangelical movement of their own.
b. By 1766 many Sandeman churches existed throughout G.B.
C. Influence in the Americas.
1. In 1760 Letters on Theron and Aspasio appeared in the colonies of New England.
2. In 1763 Sandeman received a letter from Danbury, Connecticut urging him to visit America.
a. Glas thought the trip would be good.
b. Some in America were being branded as having, “Sandemanian leanings.”
3. August 30, 1764 Sandeman departed Scotland and arrived in Boston Harbor October 18, 1764.
4. Glas/Sandemanian churches were established in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and other New England states.
D. Sandeman died in Danbury, Ct., April 2, 1771, 53 years of age.
V. Robert and James Haldane
A. Background
1. Robert born Feb. 28, 1764 in London, England.
2. James was born in Dundee on July 14, 1768, two weeks after his father died.
3. Mother died when James was 10 years old.
4. Boys were raised by their maternal grandmother, Lady Lundie in Dundee, Scotland.
5. Both spent time in Royal Navy.
a. Robert in 1780
1) While stationed at Gosport, England Robert met David Bogue, a Scottish minister of an Independent church, who greatly influenced him
2) Bogue’s brother-in-law was Greville Ewing, who greatly influenced Alexander Campbell.
b. James in 1785
6. Robert and wife, Katherine, (married 1785) lived at the residence at Airthrey, near Stirling, Scotland.
a. Attended Stirling Congregational Church – William Innes preaching.
7. James gave up naval career and married in 1793, living in London, became friends with John Innes, an English Independent minister.
8. In 1796 Robert H. had heard of great work in Bengal, India.
a. Desired to go there along with Innes, Bogue and Ewing.
b. Travel permits were denied time and time again,
c. Great friendship came from the effort between the four.
9. Meanwhile, James H. came under influence of John Campbell (No relation to Alexander) of Edinburgh, owner of an Iron Works.
a. Operated “Sabbath Schools”
b. J.H. jumped on the idea and within 6 months had 34 such free schools in operation near Edinburgh.
c. Robert soon joined in the effort.
B. Separation From Church of Scotland
1. Nov. 29, 1798 Greville Ewing preached his last sermon for the Church of Scotland. Resigned from church on Dec.1
2. He and William Innes & the Haldanes started a church formed after the Glas/Sandeman Congregational concept.
a. The Tabernacle Church formally began, January, 1799 with 310 people.
b. The Lord’s Supper administered every Lord’s Day (when the minister was present)
c. Weekly collections were taken with deacons dist. to poor.
d. These churches were called Tabernacle churches.
C. Schools
1. In 1798 Robert Haldane sent 10 English boys to David Bogues seminary in Gosport, England.
2. In 1799 R.H. opened his own seminary in Edinburgh with Greville Ewing as head.
3. In May of that year the seminary moved to Glasgow, with 30 students, where Ewing preached for Glasgow Tabernacle.
4. Disagreement in operation and control In 1800.
a. Ewing sought to have school under control of Glasgow Tabernacle.
b. Haldane refuse and returned school to Edinburgh under John Aikman.
c. However in the 9 years it was at Glasgow it developed a strong Glas/Sandeman influence.
D. Beliefs.
1. Stressed that the N.T. contained the pattern for all Christian service.
2. The apostolic churches provided model for Christians in all ages.
3. Thus teaching the concept of “restoration” or “restitution.”
4. Congregational autonomy.
5. Elders served in each congregation, teaching and ruling.
6. Each church had its own deacons and minister.
7. Civil authorities had no authority in the church
8. Weekly observance of the Lord’s supper.
9. By 1808 both Haldanes believed that immersion was the proper mode of baptism.
10. Haldane differed with Glas over discipline taking a more loving approach.
11. The Haldanes were theological descendents of Glas and Sandeman. J
Intro.
A. Background to the Kentucky Revival of the early 1800’s.
1. Around 1796, 97 many denominational preachers were questioning their orthodox backgrounds.
2. Richard McNemar wrote letters to Malcolm Worley.
a. Recorded in “The Kentucky Revival” by McNemar
b. Letters that included foreign views from the Bible.
1) e.g. One preacher wrote that his sin was greatest among sinners, deserving God’s wrath.
2) e.g. One preacher wrote, “If some people are spotted with sin, I’m spotted all over.”
3) e.g. One preacher thought the world was doomed and waiting on the wrath of God to be revealed and that when God came back he was going to cast everyone into hell.
4) Others thought themselves unworthy of any blessing from God
3. These were Presbyterian beliefs.
B. The Religious Mood Around The End Of the 18th Century.
1. There were groups around the country that had reached an all-time low ebb of faith.
a. Complacent, Cold/go-thru-the-motions type religion was present.
b. Apathy was strongly felt around the country.
2. In The Northeastern part of the U.S. there were the Puritans “Congregationalists”
a. “Congregationalists” - Each congregation was autonomous.
b. Their worship and lifestyle was cold, formalistic.
c. They went to church because it was expected of them.
d. Faith for many was not their own.
e. Religion was stale.
3. Catholicism
a. Ritualism
b. Stale Worship
c. No feeling in worship.
d. Counted beads, and quoted meaningless repetitions of prayers, etc.
4. Much like today in some cases with the church of our Lord.
a. Could be the reason some have moved away beginning unscriptural practices.
b. Change movement.
I. The Revival
A. James McGready – 1760-1817
1. He was a different kind of Presbyterian preacher.
2. He was developing difficulty toward the Westminister Confession of Faith.
3. He had problems with Calvinistic doctrines upon which WCoF was based.
a. e.g. Once Saved Always Saved.
b. e.g. Doctrine of Predestination.
c. That there is nothing one can do about one’s eternal destiny.
4. Presbyterianism - A short recount of its history.
a. Began in Geneva, Switzerland in the 1530’s under John Calvin.
b. Later in the 1550’s John Knox took it to Scotland starting the Church of Scotland.
c. Later the Church of Scotland was brought to Americas and called the Presbyterian Church.
5. McGready Background
a. Born in Pennsylvania
b. Moved to Guilford County, North Carolina around the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
c. Attended David Caldwell’s school.
d. Later finished his theological studies at Dr. John McMillan’s log college in western Pennsylvania.
e. Initially licensed by the Redstone Presbytery – August 13, 1788
f. 1789 – Moved back to N.C. and was licensed under Orange Presbytery.
g. McGready’s preaching brought opposition by many Presbyterians to the point that they burned his pulpit and sent him a threatening message written in blood.
h. One of the first preachers that impressed the young Barton W. Stone who was attending David Caldwell’s school beg. Feb. 1, 1790
i. McGready moved to Logan County, Kentucky, 1796
“A hearer in Logan County said, ‘that McGready could almost make you feel that the dreadful abyss of perdition lay yawning beneath you, and you could almost hear the wails of the lost and see them writing as they floated on the lurid billows of that hot sea of flame in the world of woe. His voice, too, was like a trumpet; you could hear it with ease several hundred yard, nor was it harsh or uncomfortable when pronouncing the anathemas of God against men; it came rushing up like the voice of many waters; but when he went to describe the love of God or the Celestial City, it dies away on the air like the symphonies of an Aeolian harp, and its sweet sounds lingered long after the voice of the speaker was silent.’ ”
Finley, Alexander C., History of Russellville, Kentucky, p.12
5. McGready went from town to town in southern Kentucky preaching one. could do something about his own soul if he chose.
a. Preach repentance - not baptism for remission of sin.
b. So, if we can repent, then Calvin’s doctrine falls apart.
c. This made the gospel available to all men, not just the “predestined”
6. Also consider the problems of "religious experience."
B. To Logan County, Kentucky - 1796
1. Logan County was called by Peter Cartwright, a Methodist preacher, “The Devil’s Den”
2. People who were outcasts from society went there to live.
a. Thieves; b. Robbers; c. murderers; d. counterfeiters;
3. McGready came to a meeting house just north of Adairville off US 431 about 3 or 4 miles on the Red River.
a. Began preaching there and the people got religion.
b. Those old heathens began repenting of their sins and turning to God.
c. It was a revival. People realized they had hope.
4. He preached at other meeting houses:
a. Gasper River Meeting House
b. Mud River Meeting House
5. The mainline Presbyterians rejected him.
6. Fall of 1800 – One young Presbyterian preacher 100 miles north heard about his efforts and came to see what was being done. He was B.W. Stone.
C. Barton Warren Stone
1. A little background.
a. Born in 1772 at Port Tobacco, Maryland
b. 5th generation descendant to William Stone, (first protestant governor of Maryland, 1648-53)
c. Father died before Revolutionary War broke out, moved to Pittsylvania Cty. Virginia
d. Educated at David Caldwell’s school beginning Feb. 1, 1790.
1) Arrived there one year after James McGready had been there and converted nearly the whole student body.
e. Taught at Succoth Academy, a Methodist school in Washington, Ga. for one year.
1) Influence by principal, Hope Hull.
2) Hull had been influenced by The O’Kelly movement against Asbury.- 1795
f. Returned to N.C. in 1796 in Alamance Cty. where Stone was converted under the influence of William Hodge. (Presbyterianism)
1) This was the cite of the first Christian Church of the O’Kelly movement.
2) The church where Stone was licensed to preach – Orange Presbytery
g. After becoming a Pres. minister he moved to Cane Ridge, Ky
2. Concerning his oath as a Presbyterian minister. - April 6, 1796
a. All who wanted to be a Presbyterian minister had to swear allegiance to the Westminister Confession of Faith.
b. When Stone came to take the oath he said, “I do in as far as it agrees with the Bible.”
c. Remember this was his mindset when he went to see what McGready was doing.
d. When he saw what was going on in Logan County in the fall of 1800 he went back to Bourbon County to plan a similar revival there - at Cane Ridge.
e. July 2, 1801 – B.W. Stone marries Elizabeth (Eliza) Campbell at Greenville, Kentucky – They later have five children.
3. The Revival
a. August 14-19, 1801 (Stone’s Dates) – Others suggest Aug. 7-12.
b. Cane Ridge, a little about its history.
1) It was a hewn out area in a cane break.
2) A few miles east of Lexington, in Bourbon County.
3) Originally discovered by Daniel Boone, named by him.
4) Boone had moved a group from North Carolina to settle there.
5) A meeting house was built there.
c. About 15,000 to 25,000 people showed up.
1) 7 or 8 different preachers could be heard at any time spread out all over the hills around the meeting house.
2) Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterian, etc. from all walks and faiths.
3) People began getting religion, They repented of sin and accepted the Lord.
II. Rejection, Restructuring & Then Restoration.
A. Rejection
1. By 1803 the revival died down a little, but Stone continued preaching.
2. The Presbyterian Church was putting pressure on Stone to quit what he was preaching, and return to mainstream Presbyterianism.
3. He had influenced other preachers:
a. John Dunlavy; b. David Purviance; c. John Marshall; d. Richard McNemar; e. Malcolm Worley; f. John Thompson.
4. The Presbyterians decided that he was to either preach true Presbyterian doctrine or be booted out.
B. Restructuring.
1. These men resigned from their respective Presbyteries: Orange and Washington.
2. They went to Cane Ridge and formed the Springfield Presbytery -
a. There were a number of churches in the area that were included in the Presbytery.
3. They vowed to preach the Bible only.
4. By 1804 they finally realized that all they were doing in restructuring Presbyterianism.
5. Decided to disband the Springfield Presbytery.
C. Restoration.
1. Began With The Last Will And Testament of the Springfield Presbytery of June 28, 1804.
a. Later called, “A most peculiar document.” by another Presbyterian preacher.
b. In it was a call to preach the Bible only.
c. In it was a rejection of the Westminister Confession of Faith.
d. They held that Christians should be called only “Christians” and not denominational names.
2. Began calling themselves “Christians” only at the suggestion of Rice Haggard.
a. His home still stands at Burkeville, Kentucky - Old two story cabin.
b. He was the one who had earlier suggested to (Aug. 4, 1794) James O’Kelly to dissolve the name, “Methodist” and be called “Christians” only.
III. Of John Mulkey, Tomkinsville, Kentucky - 1809
A. The Mulkey Meeting House still stands at Mill Creek - a state park.
B. He was a Baptist preacher.
C. Consider the occasion:
1. One winter day, snow on the ground from the night before.
2. Got up to preach to about 200 people.
3. While preaching out of the book of John (10:28).
a. Could no longer teach the Calvinistic doctrine of Irresistible Grace.
4. Told the church:
a. he couldn’t preach Baptist doctrine anymore.
b. He was leaving out of one door in the building.
c. Anyone who wanted to follow could.
d. 2/3 of cong. followed him out.
e. The other 50 left and went to Tompkinsville, starting the 1st Baptist Ch. of Tompkinsville - still meets today.
f. The 2/3 that walked out took the bldg. and est. the church of Christ.
D. The Old Structure.
1. Preserved by the state of Kentucky - now a state park.
2. Second largest one-room wooden structure in North Americas, 2nd only to Cane Ridge.
3. Grave yard houses one of its members: Hannah Boone, sister the Daniel.
E. Mulkey’s Intentions & Ultimate Outcome.
1. He didn’t originally set out to restore N.T. Christianity when walking out.
2. Later, though, he joined forces with Stone and other in the “Christian” union.
3. Preached and evangelized also in Northern Tennessee.
4. Said by his biographer that John Mulkey, “must have delivered, in the 53 years of his entire ministry, nearly ten thousand discourses, and immersed as many believers.” (The Disciples of Christ, A History, by Garrison pg.287)
IV. The Christian Messenger - Began by Stone in 1826
A. Its Purpose:
1. To teach the Bible.
2. To inform people of groups all around who were trying to restore N.T. Christianity.
B. Its Outcome:
1. It tied the southern churches together with the northern churches.
2. Those on the frontier could feel their efforts were not going unseen. (Encouraging)
3. It helped the churches to grow.
C. Location: Printed every week from Georgetown, Ky. from Stone’s house. (still standing)
V. Other Works Of Stone
A. Taught In Rittenhouse Academy.
1. A two-room structure that stood until the 1960’s on the campus of Georgetown College, Georgetown, Ky.
2. There he taught men who came to Alabama like:
a. James Matthews
b. Ephraim Moore
c. B.F. Hall
d. and many more.
B. Through His influence other works were united.
1. Old Philadelphia in Warren County, Tennessee who had a spiritual renewal some years before Mulkey.
a. Leaders of different denominations gave up their old doctrines and preached the Bible.
b. The old building still stands.
c. Some who were taught by Stone came down toward Alabama, found this group and others and joined with them and taught the Bible.
d. This united the churches.
2. Came into N.E. Alabama - Bridgeport.
a. The Rocky Springs Congregation est. 1810
b. This is the oldest church in North America that still meets.
c. Has about 40-50 in attendance each Sunday.
d. Oldest in Western Hemisphere.
e. Second oldest in the world.
f. Oldest - Rose Street Church of Christ in Kirkcaldy, Scotland - 1797.
3. Came into Mississippi and established works.
a. Like the old Thyatira Church in N.W. corner of MS.
C. His Students
1. James Matthews
a. Est. 2 congregations in Lauderdale Cty. Alabama
b. At Bartons - out from Florence toward Waterloo.
1) called the Liberty Congregation.
2) Had 156 members at one time.
3) Disappeared during the Civil War.
c. Went on to Mississippi and started others.
d. He became state auditor of Mississippi, serving until his death.
e. His brother, George, was a governor of Miss. in the 1840’s.
f. Buried in DeSoto County, in the N.W. corner of Miss. and is buried there around Hernando.
g. Thyatira was on church he greatly influenced.
h. A student who went to IBC to be trained came from over in the Thyatira area.
1) If he baptized ten people, Stone would be indirectly given some credit.
2) Rev. 14:13 - “Blessed are the dead. . .their works do follow them.”
3) You never know who you may influence who will change the lives of people for generations.
i. e.g. John D. Cox came to Mississippi to preach a gospel meeting, not sure where.
1) Preached his heart out for a week.
2) Went back to Florence having only baptized one little 13 year old girl.
3) Thought the meeting was a failure.
4) That girl grew up to bring four sons into the world who all grew up to preach the gospel.
5) He later said he would “fight” anyone who would say that his meeting was a failure.
6) Her influence may have touched hundreds and thousands of people.
j. Most famous convert was Tolbert Fanning, 1826, Lauderdale Cty., at Republican - later called Stony Point. - Meets today!
1) Republican reported 200 members to Christian Messenger in Dec. 1829.
2. B.F. Hall
a. Began teaching in Alabama in 1826.
b. Married Dorinda Chisholm, daughter of John
c. Baptized D.G. Ligon of Moulton - (Ligon est. church in Moulton)
d. Baptized W.H. Wharton of Tuscaloosa. (Wharton est. church in Tus.)
e. Wrote for Gospel Advocate 1835,36 - (Not Fanning’s paper though Fanning worked in the production of it )
1) Co-edited with J.T. Johnson
VII. Others of Worthy Note Working With Stone.
A. John T. Johnson
1. Brother to Richard Mentor Johnson, who was the 9th Vice President of the U.S. under Martin Van Buren 1837-41.
a. Colonel in the War of 1812.
b. Reported to have killed Tecumseh during the battle of the Thames.
c. Served Kentucky Legislature & U.S. House of Representatives.
2. Was a Major in the U.S. Army.
3. Studied under Malcolm Worley.
4. Attended Transylvania University, Georgetown, Ky.
5. Served Kentucky Legislature 1815-1819
6. Served U.S. House of Representatives 1820-30
7. Met Stone in 1831.
8. Co-editor of Christian Messenger in Jan. 1832-34 (Three Full Years)
9. Suggested and instrumental in bringing the Stone/Campbell movements together.
10. Died in Lexington, Ky. Dec. 19, 1856
11. Buried at Lexington, Ky. Cemetery
B. Many others will be noted. J
Introduction
A. In the previous lesson discussion was concerning the work and influence of Barton Stone.
B. How church spread throughout the south through his influence.
C. This lesson will discuss the lives and influence of Thomas and Alexander Campbell.
1. The People influenced by them.
2. The far reaching influences relationship to the church of Christ.
I. Thomas Campbell
A. Born February 1, 1763 in Newry, County Down, Ireland.
1. Married Jane Corneigle sometime in June, 1787.
2. Alexander, their oldest was born, September 12, 1788
B. Late 1700’s early 1800’s associated with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
1. Attended Univ. of Glasgow – 1783 to 1786.
2. Ultimately was a prime leader in Presbyterian movement at one time.
C. Background of Presbyterianism leading up to T. Campbell’s time.
1. John Knox, Haddington, Scotland, studied under John Calvin in Switzerland during the reign of Mary, daughter of Henry, in England. He returned to Scotland in 1559.
2. By 1560 the 1st Book of Discipline was written and the Scots Confession & the Church of Scotland was born.
3. The Irish & Scotish Presbyterians were simply known as the Presbyterian Church.
4. Division took place, became known as Seceder & Non-Seceder church in 1712.
a. Seceder Presbyterians = Selected their own ministers.
b. Anti-Seceder Presbyterians = Ministers selected by high-church counsel.
5. Further digression in the Burgher movement - 1747
a. Over whether the burgesses of the Scottish cities could swear to support the established churches or not.
b. burgess = magistrate or governor of a borough (burgh), city leader, or church father = like a mayor.
c. Thus, a mayor could decide for the city if the city would be a Seceder Church or Anti-Seceder Church.
d. The General Associate Synod was known as Anti-burgher and the Associate Synod was known as Anti-Burgher - 1749
6. Division in the Burgher movement.
a. Over more controversy concerning discerning the laws of the Westminster Confession of Faith & that people should be amenable to “new light” from Scripture.
b. Results: Old-Lights & New-Lights.
7. So, you could be a:
a. Seceder Berger Presbyterian
b. Seceder Anti-Berger Presbyterian.
c. Anti-Seceder Berger Presbyterian
d. Anti-Seceder Anti-Berger Presbyterian.
e. Add Old-Lights & New-Lights to the equation and “a real mess.”
8. T. Campbell was a minister of the Old-Light Anti-Burgher Seceder Presbyterian Church.
a. He was a Presbyterian that thought they should select their own minister, and the mayor of the city should have nothing to do with it, holding to the original interpretation of the Westminister Confession of Faith concerning the power of civil magistrates in religion.
9. All this shows the frustration and confusion T.C. began to feel with the disunity in Christendom.
D. Before Coming To America.
1. T. Campbell tried to re-unite the divided church in 1805 and failed.
2. Even went to Scotland to beg the leaders of the church to re-unite.
Note: This set the pace for the rest of his life.
3. Got sick in the process of the strain of preacher, teacher and reformer.
4. Encouraged to go to America for a visit or move there by doctors and family.
E. To America
1. Departed April 1, 1807 on the sailing-vessel Brutus.
2. Arrived at Philadelphia May 13, 1807.
3. Came to settle in Washington, Pennsylvania, western part of state, about 20 miles from present day Bethany.
F. Among The North American Presbyterians for two years.
1. Taught & Preached beginning in July, 1807.
2. Not long before troubles with the Presbyterians.
a. Sent on a preaching trip to a small group of Anti-Burgher Presbyterians up the Allegheny River, prob. a two or three day trip.
b. Because different kinds of Presbyterian people were in the area, and there was a preacher, all different kinds of Presbyterians came to the service.
c. He didn’t have the heart to deny any of the people the right to the Lord’s Supper even if they weren’t in full fellowship with the Anti-Burgher Presbyterian Church.
d. Also he had preached for some churches that simply asked him to come preach, WITHOUT PERMISSION!!!!!!!!!!
3. Called before the Chartiers Prebytery for it in October 27, 1807.
4. May 23, 1809 he severed from his relationship with Associate Synod of North America by the Synod. – at age 46.
G. He and a few others established the Christian Association of Washington
1. Not really a new church.
2. An independent effort to unite scattered Presbyterians on the basis of the Bible.
3. Just an association of Christians to study, teach and worship.
4. Very soon thereafter comes the arrival of his family from Scotland.
II. Enter Alexander Campbell.
A. In 1808 an attempt to go to the Americas took place.
1. Winter fastly approaching.
2. Shipwreck in the Irish channel postpones the trip for a year.
B. Young Alexander doesn’t waste time.
1. Enters the University of Glasgow where his father had attended years before.
2. Became a well adapted student.
3. Greville Ewing, his teacher, greatly influenced young Alexander.
a. He was influenced from the Haldane, Sandeman & Glas movements.
4. Three essays were written 1808 & 1809 dealing with leadership in the church.
a. Have been transcribed and preserved in a book by Lester G. McAllister entitled, Alexander Campbell at Glasgow, Scotland – 1808 – 1809.
b. The papers were dedicated to the study of elders.
c. Remember that a Presbyterian believed an elder could rule over many congregations, not just one.
d. This study later helped A.C. understand the Biblical concept of Church leadership and organization.
5. Before he left Scotland he ultimately severed his ties with the Presbyterian church.
a. The elders in the Presbyterian Church would interview people to see if they were orthy to partake of the Lord’s Supper.
b. Based on a disagreement with elders over who can partake of the communion.
Just a Coincidence?
C. After leaving Scotland they arrived in October 1809 in Philadelphia, PA.
1. Greeted by Thomas.
2. Upon arrival Thomas and Alexander discussed their beliefs, not knowing that each had severed their ties with the Presbyterian Church.
3. As they talked and told what had happened to each other they were overjoyed to see how each had gone to the Bible for authority in all things.
4. This is the seed of the restoration movement.
D. Thomas Campbell’s Declaration And Address – September 7, 1809
1. Just prior to the arrival of the rest of the family.
2. Principles of the restoration movement are set forth.
3. In it are the concepts we know as:
a. We will speak where the Bible speaks, and remain silent where the Bible is silent.
b. Unity of all believers on the basis of Biblical authority.
E. Washington Association evolved into more of a church.
1. Brush Run building erected. May, 1811
a. Between Washington and Bethany.
b. Old foundation is still there.
c. Hard to get to, a nice walk from the road.
2. Regular worship takes place.
F. In March 12, 1811 Alexander married Margaret Brown of Bethany, Virginia, now W.V.
G. Problems over baptism develop.
1. After they had their first daughter, Jane, March 13, 1812, it came time to sprinkle her, as was the tradition in the Presbyterian Church.
2. Big theological questions arose. What to do?
3. Study of the Bible showed baptism to be total immersion by believers.
4. Disqualifying his daughter.
H. Matthias Luce, a Baptist minister, baptized A & T, wives & sisters, June 12, 1812 at Buffalo Creek.
1. Remember, at this time he didn’t understand the purpose of baptism, just that it needed to be done.
2. Immersion, not sprinkling.
3. The Redstone Baptist Association readily accepted the Campbells in.
I. In 1816 A. Campbell spoke at the Redstone Baptist Meeting in his great lesson known as, “The Sermon On The Law.”
1. In it he made a difference between the Old & New Testaments.
2. Until that time authority was taken from all over the Bible. O & N.
3. Campbell made a difference.
a. Moses law was done away with.
b. Still important, but not for doctrine, cf. Rom. 15:4
c. There is a new will and testament to follow.
4. Left the Baptists in turmoil.
a. Causing them to realize that Campbell was different.
5. Finally breaking with the Baptists in 1830.
J. In 1823 – Began “The Christian Baptist” publication. – 7 year success
1. In it he attacked the clergy/High church concepts
2. Re-established New Testament principles
3. He tried to reach and teach the Baptist people.
4. Led many to the restoration concept.
K. By 1830 – Baptists responded with “Anathemas”
1. Tate Creek Anathema
a. 10 point outline on how to recognize a Campbellite.
2. Beaver Creek Anathema
a. 1830 – 8 points on how to recognize a Campbellite.
3. Resolutions in all Baptist associations concerning Campbellism.
a. “Water salvation people are to be avoided at all costs.”
b. Note: By this year both Campbell and Stone movements were teaching baptism for the remission of sins.
4. All this caused Campbell to finally make a break with the Baptist Church.
III. Debates
A. 1820 – Debate with John Walker, a Seceder Presbyterian over the mode of baptism, namely infant baptism vs. believers’ baptism & sprinkling vs. immersion.
1. Said, 4 cases of “household” baptisms in the N.T.
2. Campbell responded with:
a. All the house of Cornelius (Acts 10) that “feared” (v.2) etc.
b. All the house of the jailor (Acts 16:34) “rejoiced” “believed in God.”
c. All the house of Crispus “believed in God.” (Acts 18:8)
d. All the house of Stephanus “addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” (1 Cor. 16:15
e. Conclusion – If all did this, all must have been adults. Infants can’t do them.
B. 1823 – Debate with McCalla
1. Washington, Kentucky
2. Over Immersion vs. Sprinkling
3. It was during this debate that Walter Scott, T.C. & Alexander agreed and taught that baptism was for the remission of sins.
4. Campbell may not have realized the ramifications of using this argument in the debate.
5. The debate was printed.
a. A few years later B.F. Hall read the debate. (p.388 – Memoirs)
1. In 1826 he had returned from some meetings in Tennessee. He was amazed at how the “mourners” found no comfort. He happened upon a copy of the McCalla debate. As he read “. . .he sprang to his feet and clapping his hands, cried out, “I have found it! I have found it!” Began preaching and teaching “remission of sins” in baptism.
b. He even went back and convinced Stone of its essentiality.
c. In 1828 he influenced James Matthews in Alabama of this doctrine, resulting in the baptism of Tolbert Fanning in October of that year. (See “Notes On A Tour South” by Tolbert Fanning in Christian Review, January, 1847 for proof of baptism date).
D. April 13, 1829 – Robert Owen Debate –
1. In Cincinnati, Ohio
2. His defeat of Owen was widely acclaimed.
3. Owen, before the debate had written in his journal that after the debate with Campbell no one would believe in God.
4. After the debate, it is no where discussed in his journal.
5. Later a transcriber of his journal added the editorial comment concerning the debate, “The debate was a draw!”
6. Gives us the idea that Owen probably thought he had been defeated.
7. On the last day 1,200 people were present.
E. Bishop Purcell debate on Catholicism – Cincinnati, Ohio
1. January 13, 1837
* Between these two debates Bethany College begins in 1841.
F. In Nov. 1843 – N.L. Rice on baptism in Lexington, Ky.
1. After McCalla Campbell promised he would never debate anyone not officially recognized as representative of the Presbyterian Church.
2. One of the most organized of all his debates on baptism.
3. Held at the Main Street Christian Church in Lexington, KY.
4. Henry Clay presided as moderator.
5. Both sides had stenographers resulting in a book over 900 pages, over 500 of which was actual debate script.
6. One interesting note, It was reported that two ladies were in attendance at that meeting. Upon observations of Rice one woman said to the other, “Brother Rice must be a smart man. . .look at all those books on the table next to Brother Rice.” In response, the other woman said, “Yes, he is smart, but all those books on that table were written by Brother Campbell.”
G. In 1832 – In Nashville with Obadiah Jennings
1. He was visiting the Nashville area at the time.
2. Tolbert Fanning had just debated this Presbyterian on baptism.
a. Fanning had only been a Christian for four years.
b. Didn’t feel he had done the debate justice.
3. Debaters were like Goliaths of old. – Meeting out challenges for Campbell to debate him.
4. Against his better judgment, without prep. Campbell debated him.
5. Another mistake was giving Jennings publishing rights because when it went to print, Campbell’s propositions and arguments were not entered, only Jenning’s arguments. – Called the Campbell-Jennings Debate.
6. After this Campbell had very little respect for Jennings and vowed never to rush into debates again.
IV. Changes That Affected Campbell’s Life.
A. Trip To Scotland.
1. In May, 1847 Henry Clay sent with him a letter of recommendation.
2. People already knew him in the British Isles.
3. In July, 1847 he went to Scotland from London.
4. Slavery Issue.
a. Slavery already outlawed in the British Isles at this time.
b. Campbell was against it.
c. But, he was not a hard-line-abolitionist-extremist.
d. He was hounded by Rev. James Robertson, president of the Scottish Anti-Slavery Society.
e. Campbell made a statement that he would debate Robertson if he wasn’t the Robertson that was guilty of the fifth commandment. (Note: One James Robertson in that city had been accused of beating his mother.)
f. Robertson had him arrested & imprisoned for libel.
g. While in prison he got very ill with cold and fever.
h. Finally exhonerated. Robertson was then arrested for false accusation, fined £2000. Campbell gave it to the Scottish brethren.
4. One meeting in Edinburgh, August, 1847 a gathering of 7000 people to hear Campbell.
a. He preached for three hours.
b. Many anti people there, but before it was over they were all entranced at his preaching.
5. Commented by Thomas Chalmers, wrote “Alexander Campbell’s trip to Scotland” that Campbell was one of the greatest orators to come to speak in the British Isles.
B. Wycliffe Campbell’s death.
1. During his trip to Scotland, word came to him of the tragic death of his young son, Wycliffe.
2. He was Campbell’s pick, for he saw in him the future of the reforming movement. [37]
3. Wycliffe displayed a brilliant mind. Had already memorized much of the N.T. and was working on the book of Proverbs.
4. Out swimming with friends in Buffalo Creek, just below the house – drowned.
5. Friends of A.C. said he never recovered from that.
a. Grieved the rest of his life.
b. Resulted in a change in Campbell people could see.
C. He then began accepting some things he had previously rejected.
1. Societies
a. He had taught that societies outside the church were man-made therefore unscriptural.
b. In October, 1849 he was elected the first president of the American Christian Missionary Society.
2. He never accepted the instrument in worship.
a. His wife Selena was once asked what Alexander thought of the instrument in worship.
b. Said her husband’s saying for that was, “It sounds like a cowbell in a concert.”
c. Meaning it didn’t belong there.
D. W.K. Pendleton’s became editor of the Millennial Harbinger – 1866-1870
1. A son-in-law of Campbell’s twice.
2. Was guilty of revising Thomas Campbell’s “Declaration And Address” counsel to, “Speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent.”
a. He changed it to: Speak where the Bible speaks, but where the Bible is silent there is liberty.
b. He explained that this was what T.C. actually meant.
c. In other words, if the Bible doesn’t condemn it, it is acceptable.
3. These views were applied to:
a. The Society; b. Instrumental Music; c. Higher Criticism;
4. Of course it opened the doors to apostasy for the movement.
V. Publications.
A. The Christian Baptist – 1823-1830
B. The Millennial Harbinger to his death in 1866. (1830-1870)
1. W.K. Pendleton was editor after his death to 1870.
VI. Note Other Men Influenced By The Campbells.
A. B.F. Hall – already mentioned.
1. Influential in concreting the teaching of baptism, “for the remission of sin.”
2. Was one who influenced Tolbert Fanning in 1828 to be baptized for the remission of sin.
B. “Raccoon” John Smith.
1. Tennessee Baptist Preacher who learned the faith.
2. Campbell said of him that he was the only man he knew that an education would have spoiled.
3. No Formal Education.
4. “Raccoon” from explaining that he was from so far back in the hollar that there was nothing but him and raccoons in there.
a. He once said, “I am John Smith, from Stockton’s Valley. In more recent years, I have lived in Wayne, among the rocks and hills of Cumberland. Down there, saltpeter cave abound, and raccoons make their homes. On that wild frontier we never had good schools, nor many books; consequently, I stand before you to-day a man without an education. But, my brethren, even in that ill-favored region, the Lord, in good time, found me. He showed me his wondrous grace, and called me to preach the everlasting Gospel of his Son.” Life of Elder John Smith. p.115
b. The “Raccoon” name caught on.
5. A Prominent Figure.
a. In 1827 he baptized 2000 people in Kentucky, nearly that many in 1828.
b. In January, 1832 when the Stone/Campbell movement came together, it was Smith, representing the Disciples, who extended the “right hand of fellowship” with Stone.
c. It was Smith who was selected to ride with John Rogers to go throughout the region to tell of the coming together of the two groups.
6. Note A Couple of Stories Told.
a. He was a Psychologist. – He came into a small town to an empty meetinghouse on the outskirts. He went in and began preaching to the top of his voice (much ranting and raving). A passer-by stopped and peeked in. He hurried back to town to tell everyone a “nut-of-a-preacher” was down at the meeting house preaching with no one there. With that the whole town came out to hear him. He could get a crowd!
b. Once a camp meeting was waiting for John Smith to arrive and be the key-note speaker. He held back until after dark. The people waited. He finally stormed in on horseback, grabbed a low limb on a tree and the horse continued on leaving him hanging. He cried out while swinging, “Take Heed!” “Take Heed!” – over and over again. Finally loosing his grip and falling cried, “LEST YE FALL!” – a good intro to a lesson on 1 Cor. 10:12. - A sermon design to dispel “once saved, always saved.”
7. Only God knows what John Smith contributed to the restoration of N.T. Christianity.
C. John T. Johnson
1. Georgetown, Kentucky
2. Highly educated lawyer and preacher among the Disciples.
3. Gave up law and political aspirations to preach.
4. He preached for the Disciples in Georgetown, and Stone preached for the Christians.
5. He and Stone became friends.
6. Was greatly instrumental in bringing the Christian/Disciples movement together on January 1, 1832.
7. Publications – The Gospel Advocate – the forerunner of Fanning’s paper.
8. Co-edited the Christian Messenger with Stone in Georgetown.
D. Phillip Slater Fall – from Kentucky.
1. In 1826 – a Baptist preacher.
2. Came to Nashville and converted nearly a whole Baptist Church to start the N.T. church in Nashville – Nearly 200 members into the movement. – 1827
a. a small group of this number left to start the 1st Baptist Church of Nashville.
3. Once he studied Campbell’s teaching, he could see the Bible illuminated and he accepted it
4. Later preached in Louisville, Kentucky doing a great work there.
5. His sister, Charlotte, married Tolbert Fanning – December 22, 1836
a. She and her brother were born in Brighton, England.
b. She was highly educated, teaching her brother Greek & Latin.
c. Greatly aided her husband, Tolbert, in the work in Nashville.
E. Walter Scott – Very Influential In Spreading the Gospel.
F. Tolbert Fanning – Accompanied Campbell on campaigns, was highly influenced by Campbell, but was willing to confront Campbell when he disagreed.
G. Many others.
Conclusion – This is but a brief sketch of the lives of Thomas & Alexander Campbell. This only scratches the surface of the work and influence they had in their short lives here on this earth. J
Introduction
A. The Stone and Campbell movements between 1828 and 1832 are moving closer and closer together.
B. Campbell, by 1830 had distanced himself from the Baptists.
C. Both have come to accept baptism for the remission of sins.
D. Unity is on its way.
I. Leading Up To Unity in 1832.
A. Stone meets Campbell in Georgetown, Kentucky 1824.
1. They agreed that sectarianism was anti-Christian.
2. All Christians should be united in one body.
3. Taught that creeds and confessions were the strong props of sectarianism.
4. Evidence of Scripture was sufficient to produce faith.
5. Both accept baptism for remission of sins.
6. Both reject all names but Christian.
B. Stone Befriends John T. Johnson in 1831.
1. Johnson preaches for Disciples Church in Georgetown, KY
2. Stone preaches for Christian Church in Georgetown, KY
3. Both work tirelessly to unite both groups.
C. Christmas, 1831 = The Meeting Of The Minds.
1. Met on Sunday and arranged to meet each day of the week leading to the New Year's Day.
2. Additional preachers involved were: John Rogers & "Raccoon" John Smith.
3. Met at the Oldham Cotton Factory, 168 N. Broadway. Georgetown. (Today a Civics Center)
4. Speeches were spontaneous, (no agenda)
5. John Smith was the first to speak:
a. “Let us, then my brethren, be no longer Campbellites or Stoneites, New Lights or Old Lights, or any other kind of lights, but let us come to the Bible and to the Bible alone, as the only book in the world that can give us all the light we need.”
D. On New Years Day, 1832: John Smith & Barton Stone extend the right hand of fellowship and with it two separate movements become one.
II. The Spreading Of Good News.
A. John Rogers and John Smith are selected to go throughout the country for one year to tell the churches of the unity of the new movement.
1. All churches contribute to the financial need of both men and their families.
2. J.T. Johnson is selected to hold the purse and distribute the funds.
B. Success Is Experienced.
III. Some Highlights over the next few years.
A. In 1835 "The Disciple's Hymn Book" is distributed. Bearing the names of B.W. Stone, A. Campbell, Walter Scott, & J.T. Johnson.
C. 1836 - Bacon College begins with Walter Scott as first president.
1. Georgetown, Kentucky
2. J.T. Johnson was Vice-President.
3. Walter Scott spoke on the opening day of the school, returned home and never returned to the campus.
4. Moves to Harrodsburg in 1839.
a. Because of Financial difficulties
b. Building erected July 29, 1839.
5. College closes June 14, 1850 due to financial problems.
D. Defunct Bacon College Becomes Kentucky University.
1. J.B. Bowman and others secure a new charter from the Kentucky Legislature to begin a new University on the old Bacon College Campus, 1858
2. Kentucky University opens September 19, 1859.
a. Robert Milligan of Bethany College elected 1st president.
1) Later president of the College of the Bible.
2) Writer of GA commentary on the book of Hebrews
3. Main building burns February 16, 1864.
4. Transylvania College in Lexington, now defunct offers the campus to Kentucky University and approved by legislative act February 28, 1865.
E. 1841 - Campbell Begins Bethany College under direction of A. Campbell.
F. 1844 - B.W. Stone dies in Saturday, November 9. 1844 at 4:00 a.m. in Hannibal, Missouri. Later re-buried at Cane Ridge, Kentucky
IV. Digression Begins With The American Christian Missionary Society in 1849.
A. Annual meetings of church leaders caused them to plan works of outreach.
1. People wanted to do work outside of the church (congregationally).
2. Pooled money from different churches could insure more work.
B. A society was developed to do evangelism. [41]
1. Met for four day beginning October 23, 1849 in Cincinnati at Christian Chapel, cnr. Of Walnut and 8th St. [42]
2. A. Campbell was not in attendance due to sickness. W.K. Pendleton comes in his place.
3. 156 delegates in attendance.
4. Alexander Campbell elected the first president with 23 vice-presidents of which included: D.S. Burnett, Walter Scott, T.M. Allen, W.K. Pendleton, John T. Johnson, Tolbert Fanning.
5. Two secretaries and a treasurer (Jesse B. Ferguson).
C. Campbell's Involvement Is Mixed.
1. Before its existence he didn't support it.
2. Just before it came together he spoke in favor of it.
3. Was the first president of it, but very low key.
4. David Lipscomb's later surmising:
a. In A.C's old age he allowed younger men sway his judgment.
b. Remember the 1847 visit to Scotland and the events that took place there, the arrest, the death of Wycliffe at home, the illness, etc. caused some to say that A.C. was never the same when he returned home.
c. T. Fanning related a visit made to A.C. after the society was formed. He said, " . . . he stated that he was shocked to find his (Campbell's) mind was so shaken that he could, with difficulty, keep it on one subject; that he could converse in general terms on things he had studied in the past, but that all power of close, connected reasoning was gone; that he had to be continually prompted to keep up an ordinary conversation."
D. Some who early on supported the Society later opposed it as being unscriptural.
1. Jesse B. Ferguson, Nashville, editor of the Christian Magazine recorded at the close of 1849 a number of write-in comments against the Society.
2. James M. Mathis, editor of The Christian Record, in Indiana said, "A missionary society was formed for the spread of the gospel in our own and foreign lands. This is quite an important measure. We have always been in favor of sending the gospel to the destitute at home and abroad; but our own plan was to do all this through the church, as such."
3. Benjamin Franklin, editor of the American Christian Review originally supported it, but in later years opposed it.
4. Jacob Creath, Jr. opposed it from almost the beginning.
5. J.T. Johnson supported it to just before his death.
6. Tolbert Fanning and Granville Lipscomb began the Gospel Advocate in 1855 coming out strongly against the Society.
E. Early Work of The A.C.M.S.
1. The first foreign mission point was Jerusalem.
2. James Turner Barkley selected to be the first missionary.
a. He was a one-time owner of Monticello, six years after T. Jefferson died.
b. In 1850 selected to go Jerusalem
c. Arrived in Jerusalem Feb. 10, 1851.
d. Left to return during the summer of 1854.
e. Not much accomplished while there.
3. African Work in 1853.
a. Alexander Cross, a black slave-preacher from Kentucky selected.
b. Departed from Baltimore November 5, 1853.
c. Arrived in January, 1854 in Monrovia.
d. Two months spent in preparation to preach.
e. Warned before departure to be careful in the hot African sun.
f. He took very little heed to the warning.
g. While on a fourteen-mile boat ride up the St. Paul's river, got sun stroke. In a few days got a fever and died.
h. Never preached a sermon.
4. Other works developed over the next few year leading up to the Civil War in 1861.
a. J.O. Beardslee to Jamaica Jan. 20, 1858
b. W.W. Eaton to Nova Scotia, 1858.
c. John O'Kane to Kansas, 1859.
5. The Civil War separated brethren, disallowing involvement by southern brethren.
a. Probably the chief reason southern churches move away from supporting the society.
V. The Introduction of Instruments of Music.
A. Scattered reports of the introduction of the instrument were reported as early as 1851.
1. Aylette Raines recorded in his diary that a Brother Saunders wanted to introduce it at Millersburg, KY but he bitterly opposed it, April, 1851.
B. In the early 1850's discussion in Journals became prevalent.
1. Many wrote in requesting studies on the instrument of music.
2. J.B. Henshall in Ecclesiastical Reformer, wrote against its introduction by saying that those wanting to introduce it were "worldly minded."
3. A. Campbell in an article in the Millennial Harbinger, October, 1851 said, " . . . I presume, to all spiritually-minded Christians such aids would be as a cow bell in a concert."
C. Ben Franklin wrote against it in 1860 by saying that it would be only permissible if a church or preacher had lost the Spirit of Christ and were trying to become a fashionable society rather than the church of the Bible.
1. L.L. Pinkerton of Midway, KY responded that as far as he was aware the church at Midway where he preached was the only one of his knowledge where the instrument had been successfully introduced.
D. Instruments At Midway Christian Church, Kentucky
1. Added because of the deplorable singing.
2. Pinkerton did not originate the idea of introducing the instrument.
3. He did say the singing, "scare even the rats from worship."
4. At first they met in the home of some brethren on Saturday night for practice, to get the right pitch.
5. Before long one of the sisters was accompanying the singing with playing the melodeon. [43]
6. The group noted how the accompaniment helped the singing, and so decided to use it at worship the following Sunday. [44]
7. Thompson Parrish played the instrument at the Sunday service.
8. Three Melodeons
a. Initially, Adam Hibler, one of the elders, late one night helped his slave, Reuben, through the window to remove it from the building. With an axe they chopped it up in a thousand pieces on the church’s front lawn.
b. Another was purchased. Adam Hibler again, sneaking over late at night, sent his slave, Reuben in to get the Melodeon. It was passed through the window, placed on his wagon, taken home and hidden in his barn.
c. Another was purchased, but later was destroyed as the building burned around the turn of the 20th century.
9. Some years ago, the stolen melodeon was found and placed in the library at Midway College where it sits on display to this day.
E. Opposition Increased As Its Use Spread.
1. 1864 - J.W. McGarvey wrote against it in the Millennial Harbinger
2. 1864 - Moses Lard addressed it in Lard's Quarterly, Vol. 1 #3. (March Issue)
VI. The Church During The Civil War.
A. Many lost their faith.
B. Many enlisted in the military.
C. Preachers were amazingly silent on the subject of war and slavery.
1. Many of them joined the military for both sides.
2. Garfield in the north.
3. Dr. Winthrop Hartly Hopson & Benjamin Franklin Hall, Alvinzi Thomas, and others joined the south as chaplains.
D. It was difficult to find people who would come to hear the gospel preached.
1. J.H. Dunn & John Taylor helped maintain churches in Alabama.
2. Nathan W. Smith & Dr. Daniel Hook helped maintain churches in Georgia.
3. The Lipscomb brothers, R.B. Trimble, J.J. Trott, W.D. Carnes, W.C. Huffman and others helped maintain churches in Tennessee.
E. A number of the journals ceased publication during the war.
F. The Biggest Wedge that took place during the Civil War between brethren in the North and Brethren in the south was when the Missionary Society officially condemned the South. Southern churches were appalled.
VII. After The War.
A. Many of the issues that were at the forefront before the war were picked up again.
B. The Gospel Advocate began again in 1866 with Tolbert Fanning and David Lipscomb as co-editors initially focusing on a Christian’s involvement in Civil Affairs.
C. Over the next forty years, the development of the Society and the introduction of the instrument further splintered the church of Christ.
1. By 1884 the Church of Christ and the Christian Church were separate entities.
2. Lines had been drawn by many.
3. Not until the 1906 U.S. Census do we see the complete separation of the two movements recognized by the government.
D. Alexander Campbell dies March 4, 1866 at home in Bethany, West Virginia
VIII. Further Splintering In The Christian Church.
A. The College of the Bible.
1. J.W. McGarvey, long time teacher and administrator in the College of The Bible.
2. Fought many battles to preserve the truth.
a. Since its inception with the University of Kentucky in 1869.
b. Confrontations with Regent John Bowman led to McGarvey's dismissal as teacher in September, 1873.
c. Reappointed 1874.
d. Pulled away and started a new College of the Bible In July, 1877.
e. Returned to U.K. campus June 11, 1878.
f. In 1895 McGarvey is made President of the College of the Bible and served until his death in 1911.
3. After his death in 1911, Hall Laurie Calhoun, groomed by McGarvey for this position, took the presidency temporarily.
4. Major controversy in March, 1917 over Higher Criticism.
a. Liberal, German influenced, interpretation of Bible and how it came into existence.
b. Teaching of evolution by some of the teachers such as E.E. Snoddy, A.W. Fortune.
c. Unwillingness of President Henry H. Crossfield to take a stand.
d. H.L. Calhoun fights the battle of his life: preserving truth and fighting against the liberals.
5. College of the Bible goes into apostasy over Higher Criticism.
Conclusion
A. Three things that destroyed the unity of the Restoration Movement:
1. The Introduction of the American Christian Missionary Society.
2. The Introduction of the instrument of music into the worship assembly.
3. The religious institutions went off into Higher Criticism.
B. Lessons to be learned.
1. The Bible is clear in its authority for worship and godly living.
2. The Restoration Movement is the United States is movement that deserves continuous effort to promote.
3. The men and women who sacrificed were not perfect and are not honored in any area where they may have failed. They are honored in their attempts, no matter how successful, in moving men back to the Bible as their authority of faith and religion.
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