Institutionalism
History repeating itself (no.2)
When the Restoration Movement began in America (ca. 1806) the early pioneer preachers determined to "speak only as the Bible speaks, and be silent when the Bible is silent." Every practice had to be authorized by expressed command or statement, approved apostolic example or necessary conclusion. (Yes, they established authority just as we do today). They authorized NOTHING by the silence of the scriptures. As long as these principles were adhered to, unity prevailed, and the cause of Christ grew by leaps and bounds. Churches were spinging up everywhere.
This movement, by its simple appeal to the Scriptures, and organized only in a congregational (local) capacity, was evangelizing the countryside far and near. These early preachers viewed this method as both scriptural and sufficient. They co-operated without organizing; and carried the gospel into section after section of the country without any machinery other than individual and personal love for the newly discovered ancient truth. They seemed to be unstoppable. BUT, the devil intervened.
History reveals that whenever God's people begin to make inroads into the kingdom of Satan he will seek to undermine their progress, using trickery and cunning craftiness to lead people astray
Early on in the Restoration Movement, Alexander Campbell, considered by many as the leader of the Movement, published a paper, "The Christian Baptist." In his first issue, he expressed opposition to all organizations of a "religious nature" outside the Lord's "societies called churches." He wrote, "The societies called churches, constituted and set in order by those ministers of the New Testament, were of such as received and acknowledged Jesus as Lord Messiah, the Saviour of the World, and had put themselves under His guidance. The ONLY BOND OF UNION among them was faith in Him and submission to His will. . .Their churches were NOT fractured into missionary societies, Bible societies, education societies; nor did they dream of organizing such in the world. . .They knew nothing of the hobbies of modern times. In their church capacity ALONE they moved. They neither transformed themselves into any other kind of association, nor did they fracture and sever themselves into divers societies. They viewed the church of Jesus Christ as the scheme of Heaven to ameliorate the world; as members of it, they considered themselves bound to do all they could for the glory of God and the good of man. They did NOT transfer to a missionary society, or Bible society, or education society, a cent or a prayer, lest in so doing they should rob the church of its glory, and exalt the inventions of men above the wisdom of God. In their church capacity ALONE they moved." Aug.3, 1823. (cap emphasis mine -t.t.).
But, just a few years later he reflected an entirely different attitude. He believed, erroneously, as many do today, that the church universal was composed of churches, not individuals. So, in 1831, in his new paper, "The Millenial Harbinger," Campbell wrote four articles on "Cooperation" demonstrating the obligation of the church to evangelize the world. In concluding these articles he suggested that the Lord no longer employed Angels, Prophets or Apostles as His agents. He established and fitted the church for this task. He then posed the question, "How can this be done to the best advantage?" His feelings were that churches must cooperate to do this, but since no plan was given then man was free to determine the best course to follow. In 1842 he wrote, ". . .We cannot concentrate the action of the tens of thousands of Israel (the church-
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