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. Two small groups with some early connection to the Restoration Movement but separated early on include the Christadelphians and the Church of God, General Conference. 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 unity and restoration, accomplished by: 1) using biblical terminology and Scripture alone apart from creeds, and 2) following the practice and pattern seen in the New Testament church.
This also means nothing is required of others that is not expressly and clearly stated by the New Testament. For Restoration Fellowship Network, these clear, non-speculative statements of the faith are the following five propositions:
that the Bible is the sole basis for our faith (1 Cor. 2:13, 2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21); that the Father is the only true God (John 5:44, 17:3, 1 Cor. 8:6, Ephesians 4:6, 1Tim.2:5);that Jesus is the Son of God, our Lord and Messiah, that God raised from the dead (John 20:17, Acts 17:31, Romans 10:9, 1 Peter 1:21), and through whom we are reconciled to God (Rom.3:24-25, Rom.5:10, 2 Cor.5:18-20); that all who repent of their rebellion against God, accept the free gift of God’s grace, and recognize Jesus as their Lord, are 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 life in imitation of Jesus 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, John 15:8, Romans 15:6)
