Does the existence of the Lord’s Does the existence of the Lord’s church depend upon Reformation, church depend upon Reformation, Restoration or New Revelation?Restoration or New Revelation?

ReformationReformation

• “The sixteenth century religious movement that aimed at reforming the Roman

Catholic Church and resulted in establishing the Protestant churches”

(Webster)

RestorationRestoration

• “A putting or bringing back into a former, normal, or unimpaired state or condition”

(Webster).

• John D. Rockefeller, Jr. – 1926 gave millions to restore Williamsburg, Va. –

More than 80 buildings have been rebuilt, over 50 on original sites --- they had to

exist and a pattern/blueprint had to exist!

RevelationRevelation

• Muslims accuse the Bible of being corrupted by the Jews therefore they need

another book – the Koran.

• Mormons accuse the Bible of being corrupted (18 missing books, plus errors) – therefore they need “Another Testament

of Jesus Christ” (the Book of Mormon).

The Bible is CompleteThe Bible is Complete

• The Old Testament

• Predicted the coming of Christ, Dt. 18:18,19; Is. 7:14; 9:6

• Predicted the coming of the New Covenant, Jer. 31:31-34

• Dedicated with blood of animals, Ex. 24:7,8

The Bible Is CompleteThe Bible Is Complete

• The New Testament

• Shows fulfillment of Messianic prophecies, Acts 3:22-26; Lk. 1:26-32

• Shows fulfillment of New Covenant, Heb. 8:7-13; 9:15; 13:20,21

• It was dedicated with the blood of Christ, Heb. 9:16-18; Mt. 26:28

No New RevelationNo New Revelation

• The New Testament does not predict the coming of another Prophet or Testament.

• What blood dedicated the Koran or The Book of Mormon?

(Was it superior to the blood of Christ?)• The New Testament says all truth has been

revealed, Jn. 16:13; Jude 3• If it is New, it is not true;

If it is True, it is not new!

Restoration of the ChurchRestoration of the Church

• Not the universal church – saved individuals - It never ceased and cannot

be restored

• Local churches – may lose identity (Rev. 2:5; 3:16)

• Which church (Ephesus, Laodicea)?

• Use the same pattern they used!

Restoration Principle in O.T.Restoration Principle in O.T.

• Ahaz departed from God’s way, 2 Chron. 28:1-3,22-25

• Hezekiah restored it, 2 Chron. 29:3-7,15-25,35,36

• Did he restore “the spirit of the law,” or did he go back to the pattern?

Restoration in the N.T.Restoration in the N.T.

• The principle of seed – produces after its kind, Lk. 8:11,15

• If the word of God is not consistent – it may produce a child of the devil!

• Whatever seed produces in one generation, it will produce in another!

N.T. RestorationN.T. Restoration

• Apostasy was foretold, 1 Tim. 4:1-3

• No pattern – no apostasy!

• No true Christ – no false Christ, Mt. 24:24

• Calling people back to the true Christ, does not originate Him.

Restoration of ChurchRestoration of Church

• Building a church according to the N.T. pattern does not create a new church.

• Josiah restored the law, 2 Kgs. 23:1-3; he did not create a new law!

• We have a pattern – by which Christians and churches may be produced –

“If any-one speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” (1 Pet. 4:11).