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Restoration Issues

Restoration Issues. “Passing the Torch”. Restoration: What Is It?. Restoration requires three necessary things… 1. A prior condition, state, or relationship superior to the present state 2. A departure, falling away, or apostasy, from that superior condition or state

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Restoration Issues

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  1. Restoration Issues “Passing the Torch”

  2. Restoration: What Is It? Restoration requires three necessary things… 1. A prior condition, state, or relationship superior to the present state 2. A departure, falling away, or apostasy, from that superior condition or state 3. An effort to restore the former superior state

  3. Restoration: What Is It? • It is simply obeying God’s word for the first time, or returning to God’s word after leaving it (Jer. 6:16) • It is not fixing something that is broken; or finding something that is lost; the church is not broken or lost (Dan. 2:44-45; Heb. 12:28) • It is not restoring / reforming man-made doctrines and practices • It is not following what a man teaches (“Campbellites”)

  4. Restoration: Is There A Need? • The Lord’s church was established in the 1st Century (Mt. 16:18; Acts 2:42,47; Rom. 16:16) • The Lord’s church / Christianity in time was abandoned by some (not all) through apostasy (Acts 20:30; 2 Thess. 2:3-4; 1 Tim. 4:1ff; 2 Tim. 3:1ff); God’s word was abandoned (Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; 2 John 9-11; Rev. 22:18-19) • People need to come back to the Lord’s church / NT Christianity / God’s word

  5. Restoration: Is It Possible? • Is has been done in the past (2 Chron. 29-31, 34-35; Ezra 3:2; 6:18; 7:18; 8:3; 9:1-10:44; Neh. 8:1ff; 13:1ff) • There is a NT “pattern,” it can be found, we are to hold it fast (1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17; 11:1-2; 14:34; 16:1-2; Rom. 6:17; 16:17; 2 Thess. 1:15; 2 Tim. 1:13) • We still have God’s word today (1 Pet. 1:25) • The seed of God’s word can be planted today and produce the same NT Christian (Lk. 8:11)

  6. Restoration: How? • Love / know / understand/ search the truth (Prov. 23:23; Jn. 7:17; 8:32; Acts 17:11; Eph. 3:4; 5:17; 2 Thess. 2:10-12; 2 Tim. 2:15) • Plant the seed of God’s word (Lk. 8:11; Jn. 3:5; Ac. 2:42,47) • Follow the pattern (2 Tim. 1:13) • Speak as God’s word (Jer. 8:20; 1 Pet. 4:11)

  7. Restoration: Is There A Need? • Continue in the gospel (Col.1:22-23; 2:6-8) • Distinguish between the “old paths” and the bypaths (Isa. 2:2; 58:12; 59:8; Jer. 6:16-17; 18:15-17) • Repent when erring Christians leave the faith (Gal. 6:1-2; Rev. 2-3)

  8. Restoration AttitudesWorth Following Today • “Call Bible things by Bible names” • “Book, chapter, and verse for all we do” • “Where the Bible speaks we speak, where the Bible is silent, we are silent” • “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God”

  9. Restoration AttitudesWorth Following Today • “Unity through the restoration of the ancient order” • In essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things charity”

  10. Restoration Warnings! • We must be loyal to Christ and His Word, not to a “restoration heritage” or “restoration movement” • “Churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16) did not begin with the “restoration movement” of the 1800’s • “Restoration leaders” or “restoration history” are not our authority today

  11. Missionary Society

  12. Instrumental Music What is the issue? • The issue is not: Do we like or use instruments of music? Is instrumental music found in the Bible? Is instrumental music itself sinful? • The issue is: What kind of music is authorized by God (vocal, instrumental, or both)? What kind of music is authorized in the NT for the NT church? Is instrumental music in worship to God sinful?

  13. Instrumental Music Basics of Bible Authority Reviewed • We must have generic authority (expedients allowed), or specific authority (expedients not allowed) for all we do in religion • We must have 1) direct statement, 2) approved example, or 3) necessary inference • We must not act when the Bible is silent (when there is no generic or specific authority)

  14. Instrumental Music Music in the worship of the NT church • Mt. 16:30; Mk. 14:26; Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12; 13:15; Jas. 5:13 • These are all the passages on music pertaining to worship in the NT church. Every example is that of singing. All admit that singing is right.

  15. Instrumental Music Four Different Kinds of Worship • Vain worship (Mt. 15:9) • Spirit and truth worship (Jn. 4:23-24) • Ignorant worship (Acts 17:23) • Will-worship (Col. 2:23)

  16. Instrumental Music Arguments from the Old Testament Answered • “Instruments were used in Patriarchal times” • “King David and others used instruments in worship; they were commanded by God to be used; they were blessed by God” • “Messianic prophecies like Psa. 18:49 and Psa. 45:6-8 foretell the use of instruments in the church”

  17. Instrumental Music Arguments from the New Testament Answered • “The prodigal’s father used an instrument” • “Instruments are mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1; 14:7-9; and 1 Thessalonians 4:16” • “The Greek word psallo in Ephesians 5:19 means to pluck; to play an instrument” • “Instruments are used in the book of Revelation”

  18. Instrumental Music Arguments from Human Reasoning Answered • “We can use our God-given talent to play music” • “Where does the Bible say not to?” • “The instrument is just an aid to our singing” • “We do many things and have many things today that are not found in the Bible”

  19. Instrumental Music Arguments from Human Reasoning Answered • “We can use instruments at home” • “All life is worship and that includes instruments” • “I don’t see any harm in it” • “It’s not a salvation issue”

  20. Instrumental Music Question:Why were instruments of music used among some brethren in the mid-to-late 1800’s? Answer: The same reason why the Missionary Society (1849) was used among some brethren. Brethren brought these practices into the church when they left denominationalism. Solution:Leave behind all practices of religious error when you are converted, not just some (Acts 19:19)

  21. Bible ClassesWhy No Bible Classes? Examining the Arguments • “Individual Bible classes are not commanded; nor is there a specific example of them in the NT church” • “The local church in an undivided assembly using one teacher is the only example we have” • “Bible classes form a separate organization other than the local church – a Sunday school”

  22. Bible ClassesWhy No Bible Classes? Examining the Arguments • “We are to have one assembly; Bible classes divide the assembly” • “Bible classes were formed after the period of the New Testament” • “Bible classes have women teachers contrary to 1 Cor. 14:34-35 and 1 Tim. 2:11-12”

  23. Bible ClassesBy What Authority? Generic Authority Specific Authority Specific statement By nature exclusive No additions allowed • General statement • By nature inclusive • All expediencies / aids used to carry out the general statement are allowed

  24. Bible ClassesBy What Authority? Generic Authority Specific Authority What is to be taught is specified - “the gospel” (Gal. 1:6-9) No other subject is authorized • What is to be done is generic - “Teach” (Mt. 28:20; 2 Tim. 2:2) • All teaching arrangements and aids are authorized: time, place, material, teacher, student, etc.

  25. Bible ClassesPositive Authority Expressed • Sometimes the entire church assembled for teaching; sometimes individuals assembled for teaching • Sometimes teaching was public; sometimes teaching was private (Acts 5:42; 20:17,20; 28:30-31; Gal. 2:2)

  26. Bible Classes • Those opposed to individual Bible classes bind where God has not bound (Mt. 16:19; 18:18) • Binding where God has not bound comes from human opinion, is wrong, and causes needless division in the Lord’s body (Mt. 15:2; Acts 15:5; Gal. 2:4-5; 1 Tim. 4:1-3)

  27. Local PreachersWhy No Located Preacher? Examining the Arguments • “Preachers are supposed to preach the gospel to the lost, not teach doctrine to the saved” • “Preachers do not have authority to stay and “pastor” the church, elders are to do that; preachers must not locate with elders” • “All male members, not one preacher, must do the teaching in the local church through “mutual edification””

  28. Preacher SupportWhy No Paid Preacher? Examining the Arguments • “It is wrong to pay preachers” • “A preacher must not be hired to do another’s work”

  29. Located PreacherPositive Authority Expressed • A preacher may leave one local church and locate with another local church (Acts 11:22-26) • A preacher may locate with one local church for awhile (Acts 11:26; 18:11; 20:31; 1 Tim. 1:3; Tit. 1:5) • A preacher may locate where elders are appointed (Acts 20:17,28; Phil. 1:1; 2:19-20; 1 Tim. 1:3; 5:20) • A preacher may locate and teach the saved (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus)

  30. Located PreacherPositive Authority Expressed • A preacher may preach the gospel… • To the Lost (Mk. 16:15) • To the Saved (Rom. 1:15-16) • A preacher may teach doctrine … • To the Lost (Rom. 6:17-18) • To the Saved (1 Tim. 4:11,16; 6:2; 2 Tim. 2:2; 4:1-5; Tit. 2:1ff)

  31. Preacher SupportPositive Authority Expressed • A preacher may support himself through secular work (Acts 18:3), or through local church support • A preacher may receive wages for his work of preaching (1 Cor. 9:1-14; 2 Cor. 11:7-9; Phil. 4:16-18)

  32. Preacher Authority and Elder AuthorityPositive Authority Expressed Preacher Authority Elder Authority An eldership may exercise authority when overseeing the local church (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2-3; Heb. 13:7,17) • A preacher may exercise authority when preaching and teaching (1 Tim. 4:11; Tit. 2:15) Both the authority of preachers and elders may exist concurrently in one local church

  33. The Work of the Preacher Let us all avoid two extremes… • Forbidding a preacher to remain in one location, or be paid wages • Allowing the preacher to locate and do all the work, become the “pastor” (“evangelistic oversight”) who runs the church, or who works for pay only

  34. No-Located Preacher • Those opposed to located preachers bind where God has not bound (Mt. 16:19; 18:18) • Binding where God has not bound comes from human opinion, is wrong, and causes needless division in the Lord’s body (Mt. 15:2; Acts 15:5; Gal. 2:4-5; 1 Tim. 4:1-3)

  35. The One Cup IssueWhy No Individual Cups? Examining the Arguments • “Jesus used one cup (Mt. 26:27; Mk. 14:23; Lk. 22:20) and Paul referred to one cup (1 Cor. 10:16,21; 11:25ff), so we should use one cup today” • “God has given us a law as to the number of cups (containers) to be used; that is, one cup (container)” • “There is no example of multiple cups (containers) being used for the Lord’s supper in the NT”

  36. Individual CupsBy What Authority? Generic Authority Specific Authority Specific statement By nature exclusive No additions allowed • General statement • By nature inclusive • All expediencies / aids used to carry out the general statement are allowed

  37. Individual CupsBy What Authority? Generic Authority Specific Authority What to eat and drink is specified – “bread… fruit of the vine” (Mt. 26:29; Mk.14:25) No other element is to be used (water, orange juice, cola, etc.) • What is to be done is generic – “divide it among yourselves” (Luke 22:17) • All arrangements and aids are authorized: time, place, distribution, containers, etc.

  38. If Multiple Containers Were Added After the First Century, Are They Authorized As Expedients? Multiple containers for the bread & the fruit of the vine “expedite” obedience to the command to observe the Lord’s supper (Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26) There are no specific examples of multiple cups in yhe N.T Multiple cups are authorized by general authority through God’s commands to observe the L.S. Actually, no one knows how the cup was divided among Jesus’ disciples (Luke 22:17)

  39. The One Cup IssueUses of “Cup” in the New Testament

  40. The One Cup IssueExamples of Metonymy The object… • Cup (Mt. 26:27) • Table (Psa. 23:5) • Egypt (Gen. 47:15) • Grave (Isa. 38:18) • Heaven (Mt. 21:25) • Heart (Psa. 26:2) • Basket (Deut. 28:5) • Well (Jn. 4:11-12) Stands for the contents… • Fruit of the vine • Food • Inhabitants • Dead bodies • God • Thoughts, affections • Grain, bread • Water

  41. The One Cup IssueThe Cup is Used By Metonymy For Its Contents “The Cup” or “A Cup” • Drink it (Mt. 26:27) • This is my blood (Mt. 26:28) • Poured out ( “ “ ) • Divide it (Lk. 22:17) • New Covenant in blood (Lk. 22:20) • Communion of the blood (1 Cor. 10:16) Container?Contents? No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes

  42. Does the Cup (Container)Represent Anything? • Jesus instituted only two elements (Matt. 26:26-29) • Paul gave instructions for only two elements (1 Cor. 11:23-26) • The bread represents Christ’s body & the fruit of the vine represents Christ’s blood of the New Covenant which was shed for the remission of sins • Nothing in the text suggests a cup (a container), a third element, represents anything

  43. No Individual Cups • Those opposed to individual cups for the Lord’s supper bind where God has not bound (Mt. 16:19; 18:18) • Binding where God has not bound comes from human opinion, is wrong, and causes needless division in the Lord’s body (Mt. 15:2; Acts 15:5; Gal. 2:4-5; 1 Tim. 4:1-3)

  44. Premillennialism • Interest in a so-called “thousand year reign of Christ” on the earth was popular among some denominations in the mid-1800’s (William Miller and Ellen G. White of the Seventh-Day Adventists; Charles T. Russell of the Jehovah’s Witnesses) • Some brethren were later influenced in the early 1900’s by this kind of millennialism (R.H. Boll; H.L. Olmstead; Charles Neal; etc.)

  45. Premillennialism Millennial theories resulted from Bible students giving literal interpretations to some of the statements in the book of Revelation (20:2-7) 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time. 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

  46. Premillennialism • Postmillennialism: the 2nd Coming will follow the millennium • Premillennialism: the 2nd Coming will precede the millennium • Amillennialism: the millennium is symbolic, not literal (Rev. 20:2-7) 1) In heaven, not on earth 2) Concerning dead saints, not living saints & living wicked

  47. Theory of Premillennialism Saints in Heaven Battle of Armageddon Rev. 16:16 Judgment Day 1000 Yr. Reign of Christ on Earth in Jerusalem with Living Saints Rev. 20:2-7 Earthly Kingdom Postponed Church Substituted Cross Not Planned Jesus Failed To Establish His Earthly Kingdom 7 Year Tribulation Mt. 24:21 Wicked in Hell 1st Resurrection & Coming 2nd Resurrection & Coming Saints Judged Kingdom Established Saints Secretly “Raptured” 1 Thess. 4:17 Wicked Remain 3rd Resurrection & Coming

  48. The Bible vs. Premillennialism Bible Truth 1 Resurrection, 1 Judgment Day, 2nd Coming Jn. 5:28-29; Acts 24;15; Heb. 9:27-28 Mt. 24:34 Fulfilled in A.D. 70 No Rapture of Saints Only 1 Thess. 4:17 Spiritual Kingdom Established Church Planned Mt. 16:18-19 Eph. 3:10-11 Armageddon Past (Rev. 16:16) Kingdom Already Est. (Col. 1:13) Cross Planned Ac. 2:23 Saints in Heaven Jesus Failed Not Psa. 2:6 Jn. 17:4 Christ Reigns in Heaven Now with Dead Saints Ac. 2:36; Rev. 3:7,21; 20:4,6 1000 Yr. Reign of Christ on Earth in Jerusalem with Living Saints Earthly Kingdom Postponed Church Substituted Cross Not Planned Jesus Failed 7 Year Tribulation of Mt. 24 Armageddon 2nd Resurrection & Coming Saints Judged Kingdom Established Wicked in Hell 1st Resurrection & Coming Saints Secretly “Raptured” 3rd Resurrection & Coming (Wicked) Premillennial Theory Wicked Remain

  49. Unity Movements • What does “ecumenical” mean? • encouraging universal Christian unity • Interdenominational unity • The issue is: What plan do we follow to achieve universal Christian unity, God’s plan or man’s plan? • God’s plan: unite on the NT pattern • Man’s plan: unite on what is believed by men to be “essential”

  50. Unity Movements • Unity is not based upon… • Focusing on what we have in common (“fundamentals” or “core doctrines”) and ignoring what we do not have in common • Focusing on what is “right” and ignoring sin, error, and division

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