THE CHURCHA. Christ's Glorious Church.B. The Fallen Church.C. The Restored Church.

2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 2116 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the

flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in

Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things

have become new.

2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 2118 Now all things are of God, who has

reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of

reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 2120 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading

through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He

made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

(NKJV)

I. Beginnings Of Restoration.A. James O'Kelly in 1793 in Virginia & N.C.B. John Wright (~ 1800) in Indiana.C. Adam Jones & Elias Smith (1802) in N. E.D. Barton W. Stone (1804) in Kentucky.E. Thomas & Alexander Campbell (1809) in WV.F. Several others in America, Europe, etc.

II. Restoration Pleas.A. In opinions liberty, in faith unity,

in all things charity.

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which

you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with

one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

(Ephesians 4: 1 - 3 NKJV)

II. Restoration Pleas.A. In opinions liberty, in faith unity,

in all things charity.

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the

tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to

Christ.(Colossians 2: 8 NKJV)

B. No creed, but the Bible.

II. Restoration Pleas.A. In opinions liberty, in faith unity,

in all things charity.

And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year

they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were

first called Christians in Antioch.(Acts 11: 26 NKJV)

B. No creed, but the Bible.C. We are to be Christians and Christians only.

II. Restoration Pleas.A. In opinions liberty, in faith unity,

in all things charity.B. No creed, but the Bible.C. We are to be Christians and Christians only.D. Speak where the Scriptures speak.

Be silent where the Scriptures are silent.

You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your

God which I command you.(Deuteronomy 4: 2 NKJV)

III. Restoration Principles.A. To be constructive, not destructive.

Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the

whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling

place of God in the Spirit.(Ephesians 2: 20 - 22 NKJV)

III. Restoration Principles.A. To be constructive, not destructive.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in

Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to

God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

(Ephesians 2: 14 - 16 NKJV)

B. To be inclusive, not exclusive.

III. Restoration Principles.A. To be constructive, not destructive.

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through

the word of God which lives and abides forever.

(1 Peter 1: 22, 23 NKJV)

B. To be inclusive, not exclusive.C. To seek Biblical authority,

not human sentiment.

III. Restoration Principles.A. To be constructive, not destructive.

D. To be spiritual, not ritualistic.

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in

spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

(John 4: 23, 24 NKJV)

B. To be inclusive, not exclusive.C. To seek Biblical authority,

not human sentiment.

THE RESTORING CHURCHWe Must Search The Scriptures To Know

God's Will For Our Lives.

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word

with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

(Acts 17: 11 NKJV)