The Restoration Movement developed from several independent efforts.
Two groups, developed similar approaches to the Christian faith, were particularly important.
The first, led by Barton W. Stone, began at Cane Ridge, Kentucky, and identified as “Christians”.
The second began in western Pennsylvania and Virginia (now West Virginia) and was led by Thomas Campbell and his son, Alexander Campbell, used the name “Disciples of Christ”.
Both groups sought to restore the pattern set forth in the New Testament, and both believed that creeds kept Christianity divided. In 1832 they combined their efforts.
Among other things, they were united in the belief that:
– Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
– Christians should celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the first day of each week
– Baptism of adult believers by immersion in water is a necessary condition for salvation.
A number of slogans have been used in the Restoration Movement, which are intended to express some of the distinctive themes of the Movement, these include:
“Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.”
“The church of Jesus Christ on earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one.”
“We are Christians only, but not the only Christians.”
“No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible, no law but love, no name but the divine.”
“Do Bible things in Bible ways.”
“Call Bible things by Bible names.”
Because the founders wanted to abandon all denominational labels, they used Biblical names for followers of Jesus. Both groups promoted a return to the purposes of the 1st-century churches as described in the New Testament (in the Book of Acts & NT Epistles). One historian of the movement has argued that it was primarily a unity movement, with the restoration motif playing a subordinate role.
Background Influences of the Restoration Movement’s Development