RESTORATION

When the church began, it was as Jesus designed it: “I will build my church” (Mt 16:18). It came into existence on the first Day of Pentecost after His death, burial and resurrection from the dead (Acts 2). For the first time, obedient souls were “added to the church” (Acts 2:41,47). Only one church was purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). It was known as His body over which He has complete authority as head (Col 1:18; Eph 1:22-23). As believers were baptized, multitudes were added to the church and the number soon came to about 5,000 (Acts 4:4; 5:14; 6:7). Notwithstanding this successful beginning, warnings were given that there would be “departures from the faith” due to false teachers arising who would speak “doctrines of devils” (Acts 20:29; I Tim 4:1). They would “turn away from the truth” to false doctrine (2Tim4:4;2Thes2:3-7). Corruptions continued in doctrine and worship until 1517 when Martin Luther listed 95 departures in the Catholic church from the truth of the Bible. He and others called for a “Reformation.” Later, in the 19th century a complete “Restoration” of original church doctrines and practices was launched, neither Catholic nor Protestant. Ask for wonderful “Restoration Movement” book.

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