RESTORATION MOVEMENT?
Thanks to Robert Mallett for insights to who we are as Restoration Movement Churches.
You may wonder, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN, RESTORATION MOVEMENT?”
Within the United States, as well as around the world, there is a growing number of people who have come to be known as “Christians” only. Their congregations are simply called Christian Churches or Churches of Christ.
The uniqueness of this group lies in its desire to restore the church of the New Testament, not in its form of dress, mode of transportation, or in the language spoken or read, but in its doctrines, ordinances, and faith. Because of this position, this purpose to restore, we have come to look upon ourselves as the “RESTORATION MOVEMENT.”
This movement is not “just another denomination,” since we have not chosen a denominational or “man-made” name, creed, or book of doctrine. Our name, as individual members is Christian, and as congregations we are Churches of Christ or Christian Churches. As these terms are scriptural and based upon the Word of God, we can honestly claim to be “Christians only.” We are not the only Christians; we are Christians only!
As to our creed (from the Latin “credo,” meaning “I believe”) we believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God, as Lord and as Savior. Our book of doctrine, or list of beliefs, is simply the Word of God. Thus as one man has expressed it, “We have no creed but Christ, no book but the Bible, no name but the name Christian.” We want to remain teachable and moldable by the Spirit of God. We recognize that God according to Scripture is often doing a “new thing”. We understand that methods of communicating the gospel change, but the message of Christ will forever remain the same.
Here at Washington Christian Church we believe:
…that Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God, who died for our sins and arose from the dead.
(1 Corinthians 15:1-8 & John 3:16)
…that the Bible is the inspired word of God, a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
(2 Timothy 3:16 & Psalm 119:105)
…that every person has worth as a creation of God, but that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
(Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23)
…that forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life are available to those who trust Christ as Savior and Lord, repent of sin, confess their faith, and are baptized into Him.
(II Peter 3:9, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 6:1-4 & Acts 2:36-38)
…that the Church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and exists to evangelize the lost and encourage/disciple the saved.
(Matthew 28:19-20, Ephesians 4:1-16)
…that Jesus Christ gave us the command in the New Testament to “LOVE ONE ANOTHER”. Showing the love of Christ is our single most identifying feature.
(John 13:34-35)