An Answer To An “Unanswerable” Question Some time ago David Martin, minister at the Solid Rock Baptist Church in Bartlett, TN, authored an article entitled “Common Sense Questions A ‘Church Of Christ’ Preacher Cannot Clearly Answer.” This article contains 13 questions that address subjects such as the necessity of baptism and instrumental music. Through much study and reading on these subjects I have formulated answers that cite “book, chapter, and verse” references showing what the Bible teaches regarding these questions. This article addresses Mr. Martin’s first question. It is my prayer that anyone who reads this article will study the verses cited with an open mind to truly learn what God’s Word teaches. Obedience to God’s Word, nothing more and nothing less, is what will get us to Heaven. We all want to go, but we have to remember that those who reach Heaven will do so on God’s terms, not man’s. QUESTION According to the history of the "Church of Christ," God used certain men to "restore" the New Testament Church in the early 1800's. Where was the true New Testament church before then? Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18). What happened to the church and where was the truth it was responsible for preaching before God restored it?
BOOK CHAPTER AND VERSE ANSWER
This question indicates a couple of false assumptions by its writer. There is an assumption that the Lord’s church teaches that the “restorationists” were inspired of God as the apostles were. This is simply not true. We see from I Cor 13:8 that the spiritual gifts were to cease and have since ceased. Those who were involved in the restoration movement were not inspired of God. 1 Corinthians 13:8
The writer of this question also assumes that the Lord’s church was not in
existence prior to the restoration movement. The assumption is that at some
point the entire church fell away and ceased to exist and then it was then
brought back into existence by the reformers. This assumption is also
false. The Lord’s church has existed continuously from the day of Pentecost
(Acts 2) until the present. It will continue to exist throughout eternity.
Daniel 2:44 (18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Luke 1:30-33
The church that Christ established has continued to exist, but man has chosen to ignore it. In the 1700’s – 1800’s there were men who recognized that the Catholic church was not the church that Christ established. They set out to return that church to the truth. We know they failed. Martin Luther was the “founder” of the Lutheran church, for example. Whenever man turns from God, he is need of restoration. There are many in our community who are in need of restoration, but the church exists in our community. When those who recognized error in the Catholic church tried to correct that error, the world labeled their efforts “The Restoration”. We must realize that a person begins to be in need of restoration when he or she reaches the age of accountability. That restoration begins with someone teaching them the true Gospel (Rom 10:17) Romans 10:17 It continues then with their belief (John 3:36) John 3:36 Their repentance (Luke 13:3) Luke 13:3 Their public confession of their belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Rom 10:9-10) Romans 10:9-10 Their baptism into Christ (Acts 2:38) Acts 2:38 At the point of obedience man is restored to fellowship with God. He then must live faithfully in order to remain in fellowship with God (I John 1:5-7) 1 John 1:5-7 If man does not remain faithful, he is again in need of restoration. (Acts 8:22-24) Acts 8:22-24 Donnie Autry |
|