Briefly, we identify, and are affiliated with the Restoration Movement which is a Christian movement that began in the United States during the “Second Great Awakening” (1790-1840). The early pioneers were intent on unifying Christians under the authority of Scripture alone apart from creeds, and following the pattern, practice, and beliefs of the New Testament church, hence the name, Restoration Movement.
The major Christian groups that trace their heritage to the Restoration Movement include: Churches of Christ, Independent Christian Church, the International Church of Christ, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). These groups differ significantly from one another in many ways despite a common heritage. They also share many overlapping principles and practices inherited from the Restoration Movement. Together, the major groups represent an estimated 3 million adherents in the United States plus an estimated 3-4 million outside the US.
Generally, the major Restoration Movement churches are viewed as an affiliated, cooperative group of independent, non-denominational churches (except the Disciples of Christ who formally restructured as a denomination in 1968). Each are congregationally governed and may vary in numerous ways from each other in practice and beliefs but consistently incorporate believers baptism by immersion; weekly observance of communion; elder led leadership; the priesthood of all believers; the basic confession of Jesus as the son of God, our Lord and Messiah; and use of the New Testament as the only required statement of faith. All would acknowledge the twin goals of restoration and unity, accomplished by: 1) following the practice and pattern seen in the New Testament church, 2) using biblical terminology and Scripture alone apart from creeds.
For Restoration Fellowship Network, following the practice and pattern seen in the New Testament means restoring the dynamic of the early community and taking seriously: every member participation, becoming spiritual family to one another, being in active community with each other, being taught by God’s Spirit through direct engagement with Scripture, living our life in a way that glorifies God, being accountable to each other, joyously sharing our faith with others, and participating in the “one another’s” of Scripture. We feel these commitments can best be accomplished through a restoration of the New Testament practice of meeting as a small home community, or network of communities.
The second of the twin goals is related to accomplishing unity by using biblical terminology and Scripture alone apart from creeds. The basic salvation requirements are clear to receptive readers and are repeated throughout Scripture. This means that nothing is required of others that is not expressly and clearly stated by the New Testament as required to believe.
For Restoration Fellowship Network, these clear, non-speculative statements of the faith we can unify around include the following five propositions. For additional information see “About Our Statement of Beliefs.”
that the Bible is the sole basis for our faith (1 Cor. 2:13, 2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21); that our Father is the only true God (John 5:44, 17:3, 1 Cor. 8:6, Ephesians 4:5-6, 1Tim.2:5);that Jesus is the Son of God, our Lord and Messiah, that God raised from the dead, and through whom we are reconciled to God (Rom.3:24-25, Rom.5:10, 2 Cor.5:18-20, John 20:17, Acts 17:31, Romans 10:9, 1 Peter 1:21); that all who repent of their rebellion against God, accept the free gift of God’s grace, and recognize Jesus as their Lord, are then baptized by immersion as an identification with his death, burial, and resurrection to new life (Rom.3:24, Eph.2:8, Acts2:38, Rom.6:3-5, 10:9-10, 1 Cor.15:22, Col.2:12); and,
that we are to live our life in imitation of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit so that it glorifies our God and Father (Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 1:16, Romans 12:1-2, John 13:35, 1 John 2:6, Acts 1:8, Romans 8:13-14, Gal.5:22, Gal.5:25, 1Peter 1:2, John 15:8, Romans 15:6)
