2. The Restoration Plea Let us speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. Let us call Bible things by Bible names and do Bible things in Bible ways. Let us restore the church as it was in the days of the apostles.

3. The Restoration Plea Thomas Campbell "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; and where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent." "Mr. Campbell, if we adopt that as a basis, then there is an end of infant baptism." "Of course, if infant baptism be not found in Scripture, we can have nothing to do with it" R. Richardson, Memoirs of Alexander Campbell I:235-238

4. The Restoration Plea Thomas Campbell, Declaration & Address, 1809 “... practice that simple original form of Christianity, expressly exhibited upon the sacred page; without attempting to inculcate any thing of human authority, of private opinion, or inventions of men, as having any place in the constitution, faith, or worship, of the Christian church — or, any thing, as matter of Christian faith, or duty, for which there cannot be expressly produced a thus saith the Lord either in express terms, or by approved precedent.”

5. The Restoration Plea Thomas Campbell, Declaration & Address, 1809 “... no human authority has power to interfere... by making laws for the Church; nor can anything more be required of Christians in such cases, but only that they observe these commands and ordinances... Much less has any human authority power to impose new commands or ordinances upon the Church, which our Lord Jesus Christ has not enjoined. Nothing ought to be received into the faith or worship of the Church... that is not as old as the New Testament.”

6. The Restoration Plea N.B. Hardeman, Tabernacle Sermons, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN; 1922-42 "I would God tonight that all professed followers in the city of Nashville, Tennessee, and elsewhere, would be content to have but the Bible as their creed, their discipline, their church manual, their church directory, their rule of faith and practice throughout life.”

7. The Restoration Plea N.B. Hardeman, Tabernacle Sermons, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN; 1922-42 “... I pledge my word and promise myself to- night, if the man will thus show me that God's book does not plainly demand it, I will gladly surrender and give that up....Take your stand on God's book and eliminate all things that are not plainly taught therein; and when you so do, I will gladly come to you and take my stand with you"

8. The Restoration Plea Implications of the Restoration Plea: 1.That God had a plan for the church

9. Genesis 6:15-16 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

10. Exodus 25:8-9 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

11. Isaiah 2:2-3 It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

12. Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

13. Acts 2:42... they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

14. The Restoration Plea Implications of the Restoration Plea: 1.That God had a plan for the church 2.That God expected Christians to follow that plan

15. 2 Timothy 2:2 The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

16. 2 Timothy 1:13-14 - NKJV Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

17. 1 Corinthians 4:6 - ASV Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.

18. 2 John 9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

19. The Restoration Plea Implications of the Restoration Plea: 1.That God had a plan for the church 2.That God expected Christians to follow that plan 3.That men left God’s pattern – and thus it needed to be restored

20. It is most likely that in the Apostolic age when there was but “one Lord, one faith, and one baptism,” and no differing denominations existed, the baptism of a convert by that very act constituted him a member of the church, and at once endowed him with all the rights and privileges of full membership. In that sense, “baptism was the door into the church.” Now, it is different. Hiscox, Edward T. 1890. The Standard Manual for Baptist Churches.

21. Acts 20:29-31 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

22. The Restoration Plea Implications of the Restoration Plea: 1.That God had a plan for the church 2.That God expected Christians to follow that plan 3.That men left God’s pattern – and thus it needed to be restored 4.That it is our constant duty to maintain God’s pattern

23. 2 Peter 2:1-2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

24. Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.

25. The Restoration Plea Implications of the Restoration Plea: 1.That God had a plan for the church 2.That God expected Christians to follow that plan 3.That men left God’s pattern – and thus it needed to be restored 4.That it is our constant duty to maintain God’s pattern