Restoration Voices

17 Responses to Restoration Voices

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2. Dave R. says:

   April 24, 2011 at 6:28 am

   Wonderful free e books on Google Books: Life of Walter Scott, Memoirs of Jacob Creath, Jr., The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin, Memoirs of Isaac Errett, etc. All are wonderful reads.
3. Jay Guin says:

   April 24, 2011 at 2:18 pm

   Thanks! I just added a section of histories of the Restoration Movement and biographies, mainly from Google ebooks. I didn’t think to look there.
4. R.J. says:

   April 24, 2011 at 7:59 pm

   I wonder if there are surviving descendents to these great men? Anybody ever wondered about that lol?

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7. Jack Exum Jr says:

   December 6, 2011 at 7:32 pm

   This is great! To have all this information about the Restoration Movement in one place is much appreciated Jay. Big thank you.
   Blessings,
   Jack Exum Jr.
8. Daniel Ross says:

   April 4, 2012 at 10:24 pm

   The 50 Days between Passover and Pentecost

   The most damaging misinformation and false doctrine coming out of the “dark ages,” and ultimately into this 21st century, is the tragic Roman Catholic mistake that there was about 450 years of silence or time between the Old and New Testaments. Out of this cauldron of misunderstanding, misconception, error and sin, the Roman hierarchy teach that Malachi was the last Old Testament “prophet” and book of the Old Testament, and that John the Baptist and Jesus Christ were the first New Testament evangelists, and that Matthew was the first book of the New Testament.
   No doctrine today is further from the truth of Christ revealed in the Scriptures, and no teaching today has created more confusion and division over the Bible than any other Doctrinal distortion. This blunder was accepted “hook-line-and sinker” by the emerging Protestant world of the 16th century and its error is seen in almost every sectarian and Denominational church today. And we are sorry to say, many churches of Christ are counted among those who have fallen prey to this sad, sad, Doctrine.

   Regardless of how many people or Denominational churches believe this doctrinal lie about the 450 years between the Old and New Testaments — it will never be divine truth. Malachi Was NOT the Last Old Testament “Prophet” nor the last book of the Old Covenant. Malachi was not the “end” of the Old Testament. John the baptizer of Old Testament Israel (Matt. 3) and Jesus Christ the Messiah and Savior of Old Testament Israel (Matt. 1:21), were the “last” two Old Testament “Prophets” that God sent to Israel. Jesus, in his ministry to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” in MMLJBC, acknowledged that John was a prophet sent to Israel (Luke 7:26). Jesus acknowledged that he was the “last” Old Covenant Prophet sent to Israel (Luke 13:33). Jesus, the promised Old Testament Messiah sent only “to” the Old Covenant House of Israel, declared that the Old Testament Covenant between God and Israel — the Old Covenant Law of Moses — would not pass away until He — personally — fulfilled all of God’s prophecies and promises concerning Israel. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matt. 5:17-18).

   Jesus fulfilled and completed all of the Father’s prophecies and promises made to Israel during the three years of his Old Covenant ministry to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” in MMLJBC. The Scriptures teach repeatedly that Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, was the “end” of the Old Testament Mosaical Covenant between Yahweh and Israel. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Rom. 10:1-4). All Jews did not become “dead to the law” by the mission of the Old Testament prophet Malachi. All Jews died to the Old Testament law of Moses by the crucifixion of the Body of Christ and through His death on the cross. An event that took place some 450 years after the time of Malachi. This means that the Old Testament Covenant between the Father and Israel was in full force and effect in Israel all during the 450 years between Malachi and John the baptist. “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that you should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God” (Romans 7:4). Malachi did not “fulfill” the law of Moses, Jesus “fulfilled” all of the Old Testament “promises” and “prophecies” of the Old Covenant during his ministry described in MMLJBC (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, before the Cross).

   Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me”. By his death on the cross, Jesus “broke down the wall of partition” that separated the Jews and Gentiles; He “abolished” the “enmity” — the Old Covenant with Israel that excluded the Gentile nations — and He “nailed” the Old Testament Law of Moses and the exclusive Covenant with Israel to His Cross. “11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands. 12That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:11-13). 14For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us. 15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself out of two, one new man, and so making peace.

   14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. (Colossians 2:14). By His death on the cross, Jesus took away the Old Testament Law of Moses and Yahweh’s Covenant with Israel — once and for all time. He took away the Old Covenant with Israel that he might establish “His” New Covenant with His “church”. 9Then he said, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second. 10And by that will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:9-10).

   When Christ was “crucified” – every living Jew in the 1st century lost their Old Testament relationship with Yahweh. They lost their Old Covenant religion, and they lost their Old Covenant status as the only covenant people of God in the world. After the crucifixion, all living Jews became lost in their sins and alienated from God just as the Gentiles.

   During the 450 years from Malachi to John the Baptist – all Jews remained under the Law of Moses until the Death of Christ during the 450 years under question. The Persian empire was established under the leadership of Cyrus. He led the Persians against the remnants of the Medes, Babylonians, Assyrians, Medians, Lydians, and Greeks of Asia Minor and established his control over the Middle-East. It was during this time that familiar names from the Bible are made known. Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel and Nehemiah who was a cup bearer to the King of Persia. The Old Testament book of Esther describes the trials and tribulations of the Jews under Persian rule. It was Cyrus who permitted the Jews, under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, to return from Babylonian captivity and rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra 6:3-5). Also during this time, the Samaritans rose to prominence, the Jews established their “synagogues” and synagogue study-worship in every place where they gathered. Then came Alexander the Great, the fierce young leader from Macedonia who sought to conquer the world. He did much to Hellenize or spread Greek influence in Israel. The Jews, for the most part, felt favorably toward Alexander even though it turned out that Hellenism ultimately became a great threat to Judaism. In fact, Hellenism created such a problem and threat to Israel that it contributed to the Maccabean revolt.

   After the Roman Empire conquered Israel, then John the baptist and Jesus Christ appeared on the scene. The four books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John (before the Cross) describe the last 33 years of the 450 years of the Old Testament age between Malachi and Jesus. Malachi was not the end of the Old Testament, because ALL four Gospels describe John, Jesus and the Jews continuing to believe, practice and promote the Old Testament Law of Moses. The Cross of Christ in MMLJBC is the end, not Malachi.

   All who accept, believe, and teach this Roman Catholic error of 450 years are wrong on all counts. The 50 day period of time between the Old and New Testaments, the true period of time between the Old and New Testaments, was the historical fifty (50) days between Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19, and the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. It was during this time that Jesus completed His Atonement and spent 40 days teaching his Apostles His New Covenant (Acts. 1:2-3). Then came His ascension to Heaven, God’s acceptance of His atoning blood sacrifice (Heb. 9:27), His being crowned King and Him sitting on the New Covenant throne of Heaven (Heb. 8:2 12:2). Christ then sends the Holy Spirit to empower the Apostles and begin His New Covenant church (Acts 2).

   This 50 days, the TRUE period of time between God’s Old and New Covenants, is described in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, 21 and Acts chapter 1.

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10. Daniel Ross says:

    September 13, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    s The Lord’s church the same as the Church of Christ denomination that follows after Alexander Campbell?

    No, no, and NO! Absolutely, positively not! We reject the title “Campbellite.” It is an insult and we will do everything within our power to defend the only head of the church: our Lord Jesus Christ! Any honest and diligent Christian would never answer to the title Campbellite. Why? The answer is simple: nowhere in the New Testament (Acts 2 through Revelation 22) is that title authorized to be used in reference to those who follow Jesus Christ. Nowhere! In fact, the New Testament (Acts 2 through Revelation 22) states that the use of human titles is sinful. Anyone who wears a name that cannot be found in the Word of God falls into this category.​

    [JFG: Balance of a very lengthy post deleted due to length.

    Daniel, the spam software will block lengthy posts and it may be days before I have time to retrieve them. This is not the place to re-post materials from other places.]
11. Daniel Ross says:

    September 15, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    this comes from what I did myself, it’s on my web site….
12. Gary Cummings says:

    October 7, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    I looked over the listeb of Restoration Voices, and am wondering why is Daniel Sommer left out? In my opinion, he is the daddy of the Churches of Christ by his hijacking of the RM in 1889. Then he joined up with David Lipscomb, and they finalized the the COC as a cult./sect in 1906.
    Why does the COC not own up to their true founder?
13. Daniel Ross says:

    October 7, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    That’s because there was so many falling away and starting their own “Churches” Notice, in the New Testament Acts 2 through Revelation 22, the Apostles never, ever mention “Church of Christ?” Like you see today. I am not sure who came up with that single name, but I am searching..
14. Jay Guin says:

    October 8, 2012 at 9:33 pm

    Sommer is no more a part of the Restoration Movement than my goldfish. He rejected the core teachings of the founder of the Movement. He claimed the mantle, but it was a false claim. In fact, much of the 20th Century Churches of Christ taught the very opposite of the teachings of Stone, the Campbells, etc. — becoming the very thing the RM was founded to flee.

    In fairness to Lipscomb, he repudiated Sommer’s “Address and Declaration.” In 1906 he conceded that a split had occurred, but he’d resisted it for many years. Lipscomb’s theology was a mixed bag, but his commitment to the Regulative Principle and to testing fellowship on that basis ultimately forced him to give up on the instrumental churches — but he was very reluctant to reach that conclusion.

    Most of the 20th Century a cappella Churches of Christ do indeed have more in common with Sommer and Lipscomb than Stone and the Campbells. But the founding principles continued to have influence, ultimately re-flowering in the contemporary progressive movement within the Churches.

    It’s more exact to say that Sommer founded the wing of the Churches of Christ that ultimately separated itself as the non-institutional movement. The “mainstream” Churches of Christ were divided between the Texas and Tennessee schools (as Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks have observed). The Texas school — founded by Austin McGary — required Baptists to be re-baptized and took increasingly legalistic stands on many issues. Under such editors as Foy Wallace, Jr., the Gospel Advocate was ultimately taken over by the Texas school, and as a result, many Southern churches adopted the more strident tones of McGary and his disciples.

    A substantial minority, however, followed the more moderate (relatively moderate, that is) stance of Harding, Lipscomb, and others, who often took remarkably progressive views on issues, despite being rigid in their enforcement of the Regulative Principle.

    I grew up in North Alabama, and therefore deep in the heart of the Texas school — alongside countless non-institutional Churches. That means my background is more legalistic than many readers who grew up in churches more influenced by G C Brewer and K C Moser than Foy Wallace.
15. Larry Cheek says:

    October 17, 2013 at 9:48 pm

    Jay,
    It seems that many of the links under restoration voices do not work.
16. Jay Guin says:

    October 18, 2013 at 10:04 pm

    Larry,

    Sadly, Hans Rollman’s Restoration Movement site has been down for a couple of years. I’ve corresponded with the new managers of the site, and have been assured that it will be up soon. But that was months ago. I’ll see what I can find out.
17. John F. says:

    August 23, 2016 at 10:44 am

    Above R.J. asked about descendants of some of the Restorationists. Dave Scott, direct descendant of Walter Scott resides in Portland, Oregon.