Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 5
April 1, 1954
NUMBER 46, PAGE 2-3a

Is It Being "Lost" Again? What Did The "Restoration" Restore?

Robert F. Turner, Tyler. Texas

Webster defines "restore": "To give back; to return. To re-establish; to put back into existence or use, — " etc. When we speak of the "restoration" of New Testament Christianity just what do we mean?

The Latter Day Saints (Mormons) speak much of restoration, and some months ago I asked one of their officials to explain their use of the word. He unhesitatingly spoke of the "plain and precious truths that were taken out of the Lamb's book of life," (See 1 Nephi 13:24-f.) and said these had to be "restored." He also explained that the "succession of authority" was lost in the great apostasy, and this also had to be "restored." This was accomplished, he said, on May 15, 1829, when John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, and conferred upon them "the Priesthood of Aaron." A short time later Peter, James, and John appeared to these same two men and conferred upon them "the Holy Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek." (Cf. Restoration of the Gospel, by Osborne J. P. Widtsoe.)

It is not my purpose to grant these absurd claims the dignity of reply; but I wish to point out the basic conceptions which have prompted such claims. First, Joseph Smith felt the written Word had been changed, and truths lost. He placed the blame for this loss upon the Roman Catholic Church. In so doing he showed his ignorance of the most simple facts of Christian Evidences. The falseness of Smith's claims was dramatically demonstrated when in 1844 Constantine Tischendorf found the Sinaitic manuscript of the Bible in the monastery of St. Catherine at Mount Sinai. When eventually collected and placed in the Imperial Library at St. Petersburg (1869) this ancient manuscript, dating circa 331 A.D., contained essentially the same "plain and precious truths" found in Bibles at the time of Smith. This manuscript was written many years before the Roman Catholic Church obtained her great power. (First Universal Bishop, about 606 A.D.) Changes made during the "dark ages" would be now exposed. But on the other hand, no essential changes having been made, Joseph Smith's claims are exposed. Peter had said, "The word of the Lord endureth forever."

The Mormon's second conception, restoration of "authority," is more "orthodox," having much in common with the many popular ideas about succession of authority among men. The Roman Catholic Church is probably the best known religious organization which bases a claim of authority on succession. They say they have never needed "restoration," claiming continuity from the apostles. The Episcopal Church (with such branches as the Methodists, etc.) claim authority on the basis of succession — either through the Roman Catholic Church, or by a more direct route — the tradition that St. Joseph of Arimathaea brought Christianity to Britain, along with the Holy Grail. H-m-m-m! There are two conceptions of succession among the Baptists. One, now almost outgrown, is that a "chain" of churches (congregations) connect present-day churches with the church in Jerusalem. The other, still widely held, is that "regularly ordained" evangelists form the chain of succession. This narrows the necessary "links" of the chain to individuals, who may have hidden out in dens and caves and kept the "authority" life-line alive. Proof is conspicuous by its absence.

But some will say there must always have been people who were faithful to Christ's Word, for Christ said concerning his church, ".... the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt. 16:18) I like to believe there have always been faithful Christians, either singly or in groups, since the establishment of the church in Jerusalem, 33 A.D., but I cannot believe that this text teaches the necessity of such. The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 3:11) Not just "Jesus" mind you, but Jesus Christ. This was the confession that Peter made, and which had brought forth Christ's promise to build his church. Flesh and blood had not revealed this truth unto Peter; i.e., human testimony alone was not enough. It was a truth revealed by God, and testified by the power of God. But as yet the great climax of testimony had not been reached. Paul said (Rom. 1:4), that Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with power, — "by the resurrection from the dead." The building of the church, then, depended upon the foundation. The foundation depended upon the resurrection. No resurrection, no foundation. No foundation, no church. Now when Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it," he had in mind the fact that he would soon be slain. The gates of hell (Hades — the place of the dead) would close about him. If these gates (death's hold) prevailed, there would be no resurrection, no foundation, no church. But Christ said, in essence, that the bonds of death should not keep him from doing what he had promised. He would break these bonds. This statement is actually a promise of the resurrection, instead of a promise that there would always be people who would do his will. Notice verse 21, "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day." Christ's promise concerning the "gates of hell" is not a promise that man would do certain things (i.e., remain faithful) but a promise that the power of God would break the bonds of death.

All searching for "links" is but proof that God's plan for propagating and keeping alive His cause is either unknown or ignored. The church, or kingdom, exists in two ways — either in the form of "seed" or in the form of the growing plant. The seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11), and the obedient believer is the fruit, or growing plant — the harvest. Giving of the "seed," its life and power, its potentials, — these important matters depended upon God. Irrespective of whether man would receive or reject, God made possible the seed, made the seed "alive and powerful," and promised that it would endure forever. BUT GOD DID NOT PROMISE THAT THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE OBEDIENT FOLLOWERS OF THE WORD. That is something that depends upon man, and is subject to man's whims and fancies, his weakness or strength. God will not over-rule the free agency of man. God does not promise that there will always be men or women who will obey the truth, He only promises that the truth will always be available, the seed will always exist, regardless of obedience or disobedience. "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." (Mark 13:31)

The authority of Christ has never needed "restoration." It cannot be "lost." It resides in the New Testament, and is incorruptible. (1 Peter 1:23) When Jesus was on earth he spoke not by his own authority, but by the authority of the Father. (John 5:30; 12:49; 16:23-f.) It was necessary for him to ascend into heaven, following the resurrection, to receive his own authority and to become priest and king upon his throne. This authority has never been delegated to anyone. Christ rules and reigns NOW, in the hearts of all who will receive his words and keep them. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors (elders) of Ephesians 4 are various classes of men to whom Christ gave a "work" — the work of carrying out his will, and of delivering his will to mankind — but "authority" was never delegated to anyone, in the sense so often referred to by those who speak of succession, "restoration," etc. Inspiration was the safe-guard employed by the Lord, to protect his word of authority until it could be taken out of men, and put in the written word. Readers may quibble about some of my words (and I do not deny that these thoughts are crudely expressed) but I beg your patient and thoughtful consideration of these principles. Neither Christ's words, nor his authority need restoration. They simply need honest men and women who are willing to receive the word as the expression of Christ's authority, and who are determined to live according to this revealed will.

The spirit of the restoration is the important thing; that determination on the part of man to hear and obey Jesus Christ. The attitude manifested toward the word of God is the core of restoration "spirit." Hence, "Restoration" is not a thing accomplished, once for all, in any given generation or period. The restoration spirit lived in the 19th century, but it must also live in the 20th century. The "Restoration" restored NOTHING THAT CAN NOT BE AGAIN LOST.

Today we are partakers of many blessings — principles and particular truths brought to our attention by studious men such as Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone, and the like. We profit by their zeal, and their determination to study God's word and preach it, without addition, subtraction or substitution. But some things they could not do for us. They could not "restore the church," as one might build a wagon, that we might "join the church," as one might get into the wagon, and ride home to heaven. The spirit of the men of the restoration must abide in your heart and mine today. We must love the truth, and obey the truth, that we might be free.