The History of the Church of Christ, Lesson 6

Introduction

The journey of God’s people through church history is marked by faith, courage, and the persistent call to return to the authority of Scripture. In this lesson, we examine early leaders in Scotland and the United States during the late 1700s and early 1800s who recognized the insufficiency of mere “reformation” and sought full restoration of the New Testament church.

The Roots of Restoration

From Old Testament prophecy to New Testament fulfillment, the church was established exactly as God intended in the first century. Yet, as foretold by the apostles, departures from truth soon occurred, with changes in leadership structures being among the first. Centuries later, the Roman Catholic Church dominated religious life, and the Dark Ages veiled the simplicity of Christianity. The Protestant Reformation sought to correct corruption, but reform was not enough — restoration was needed.

By the late 1700s, leaders emerged who sought to return entirely to the New Testament model, rejecting creeds and traditions to follow only the pattern given in Scripture.

John Glas – Authority of Scripture Alone

John Glas, originally from the Church of Scotland, taught that the Bible alone — without human traditions or creeds — is the sole authority for the church. Anything not found in the New Testament pattern should be rejected. This conviction led him to leave the Church of Scotland in the 1770s and form an independent congregation.

His teaching emphasized:

• The necessity of following New Testament patterns only.

• The distinction between Christ’s kingdom and political kingdoms.

• Biblical church discipline (Matthew 18).

Although his congregation observed the Lord’s Supper monthly rather than weekly, Glas’s stand for scriptural authority paved the way for others.

Robert Sandeman – Refuting Calvinism

Robert Sandeman, Glas’s son-in-law, became a leading defender of New Testament Christianity and a strong opponent of Calvinist theology. He rejected doctrines such as total depravity, unconditional election, and perseverance of the saints as being contrary to Scripture. His influence reached America, where Sandemanian congregations appeared in states such as Connecticut and Rhode Island.

The Haldane Brothers and Greville Ewing – Weekly Communion and Autonomy

Robert and James Haldane, along with Greville Ewing, were wealthy Scots influenced by independent preachers. They restored several New Testament practices:

• Weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7).

• Weekly giving as commanded (1 Corinthians 16:1–2).

• Immersion as the only scriptural baptism.

• Congregational autonomy under Christ.

Their “Tabernacle Churches” represented a bold return to the simplicity of New Testament worship and organization.

Early Restoration in America – Before the Campbells

In America, leaders such as James O’Kelly, Elias Smith, Abner Jones, and John Wright were already moving away from denominationalism before the Campbells arrived. Elias Smith published The Herald of Gospel Liberty around 1800, promoting New Testament teaching. Abner Jones likewise rejected Calvinism and insisted on the name “Christian” for God’s people.

These leaders demonstrated that restoration was a movement rooted in Scripture, not in the influence of one man or one family.

The History of the Church of Christ, Lesson 6 Sermon Outline:

I. Introduction

• Purpose: To explore the roots of the Restoration Movement before the Campbells.

• Key theme: Return to the authority of the New Testament.

II. Background to Restoration

• Apostolic warnings of apostasy (Acts 20:28–30).

• Rise of Roman Catholic dominance.

• Protestant Reformation’s limited reform.

• Need for full restoration, not partial correction.

III. John Glas – Authority of Scripture Alone

• Left the Church of Scotland for biblical authority.

• Key teachings:

  • Bible as the sole authority (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

  • Separation of church and state (John 18:36).

  • Church discipline (Matthew 18:15–17).

• Influence: Paved the way for later reformers.

IV. Robert Sandeman – Refuting Calvinism

• Opposed “TULIP” doctrines as unscriptural.

• Promoted New Testament Christianity in Scotland and America.

• Spread congregations into New England.

V. The Haldane Brothers and Greville Ewing

• Wealthy men who embraced restoration principles.

• Restored weekly communion (Acts 20:7).

• Weekly giving (1 Corinthians 16:1–2).

• Immersion as biblical baptism (Romans 6:3–4).

• Congregational autonomy (Ephesians 1:22–23).

VI. Early Restoration in America

• Leaders: James O’Kelly, Elias Smith, Abner Jones, John Wright.

• Elias Smith’s Herald of Gospel Liberty.

• Rejection of Calvinism.

• Use of the name “Christian” (Acts 11:26).

VII. Conclusion

• Restoration is about returning to New Testament authority.

• These men faced persecution but stood firm.

• Modern application: We must have the same courage.

Call to Action

Let us follow the example of these early leaders by holding firmly to the Bible as our only authority, practicing only what God has revealed in His Word, and rejecting man-made traditions that divide and distort the gospel.

Key Takeaways

• The Bible alone is the sole authority for the church (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

• Christ’s kingdom is spiritual, not political (John 18:36).

• Weekly communion is a New Testament practice (Acts 20:7).

• Congregations must remain autonomous under Christ (Ephesians 1:22–23).

• Biblical baptism is immersion (Romans 6:3–4).

• Restoration work in America began before the Campbells.

Scripture Reference List

• Acts 20:28–30 – Apostolic warning of apostasy.

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17 – The sufficiency of Scripture.

• John 18:36 – Nature of Christ’s kingdom.

• Matthew 18:15–17 – Church discipline.

• Acts 20:7 – Weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper.

• 1 Corinthians 16:1–2 – Weekly giving.

• Romans 6:3–4 – Baptism as immersion.

• Ephesians 1:22–23 – Christ as head of the church.

• Acts 11:26 – Disciples called Christians.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO