Restorationalism

This is one of the ideologies within Christian tradition that aim at restoring the movement along the lines of Yahosheanism that is referred to as the “Christian Primitivism” in Christian theology.  The zeal to restore a purer and more ancient form of the messianic movement have resulted to formations of many diverse denominations that ran along many ages.

Some of these denominations included the Novatianism, Paulicianism, Hussites, Anabaptists, Landmarkeists, Puritans, Waldenses and many Seventh Day Sabbatharians. These groups within Christiandom have sought to restore the faith of the early apostles and incorporate such into their traditions.

Numerous protestant movements view their acts as restorationalists as they claim to have returned to the original and essential features of the Messianic movement (Yahosheanism). The restorationalist concepts of these sects varies as they have divers purposes and approach towards corrections of certain or some errors they detest in the mainstream Christianity.

Restorationalism in Christian theology had its root from the early Church of 2nd century.  For instance, Ireneaus made mention of the ideology in his writings.  The term was often used by many middle age theologians and became too pronounced in the theology of the protestant reformation in which majority of its churches are described as  a form of Christian restorationalists than others.

Reason For Restoration

As the acclaimed “apostolic church” go by the historical linage tracing back to the twelve apostles and the great commission, it became referred as for the “apostolic succession” which is driven by Greek and Latin theologians.  This theory is held by the Roman Catholic, Orthodox Churches and Anglicanism.

The restorationalists thread through the faith method of Yudaizers as Ebionites and Essenes traditions.  Some of the restorationalists focuses on ethical practivism which directs at re-establishment of the true discipleship in their Christian theology.

The Anabaptist and Holiness movement are some of the Christian sects that hold to ethical restorationalism.  Some of the sects in this group often observe some Hebrew traditional or religious practices as Sabbath keeping, circumcision, Hebrew calendar, annual sacrifices and other ceremonies that were observed by Yahudeans.

There are equally Christian denominations that focus on ecclesiastical restorationalism.  These group of restorationalists do not go along the ecclesiastical method of mainstream Christianity.  The Calvinism, Zwinglism and Puritans are major movements that hold to the ecclesiastical restorationalism.

There are other groups that hold to experimental restorationalism.  These groups claim to focuse on direct communication or revelation from Yahweh and its experiences among members.  Christian denominations that hold to experimental restorationalism include the Later Day Saints movement of Joseph Smith and Pentecostalism.

Another model of restorationalist groups are identified as the “Gospel primitivism”.  This model was held by Marthin Luther who rejected the doctrine of “works righteousness” and held to the scripture as the sole authority.  This group reject the mainstream tradition of apostolic succession but held that the apostles were summarized in their works that are recorded in the scriptures, therefore the scripture is the only way to hold to their works and value.

The main reason of restorationalism is to restore the Christian tradition to its original Yahudean related or rooted tradition.  To reconstruct church that will live in line of the first century Yahosheanism.

The restorationalists hold that after the death of the twelve apostles, they were succeeded by the apostolic fathers who were authors of the patristic writings. These later stock of Yahosheans did not live in line of the earliest apostles.  They rather admixed the practices of the movement with pagans traditions.

This evil trend continued through the acts of the Episcopal and Roman primacy that represented the great apostasy of the messianic movement.

During 7th century, the church has made total departure from the practices held by the apostles of first century. Degradation of the movement enhanced in the middle ages when the Popes became materially interested than of spiritual value.  This provoked the pre-reformation movements as the Lollards, Hussites, Waldenses etc. who sought for return of the church back to its first century structure, belief and practice.

The ineffectiveness of the pre-reformation era movements to wage back the ebb of apostasy provoked the reformation movements that were much interested on conformity to the principles of the scriptures (Sola scripture).  The reformers rejected the traditions and authority of the churches that were based on Romanism, thereby holding to the theory of restorationalism.

Further Developments

In 18th century, there arose an evangelical movement that swept across protestant Europe and British America.  This was referred to as the “First Great Awakening” by historians”.

This movement evolved within the Baptists and gave birth to “Separate Baptist” which focused on the freedom of spirits as well as rejection of creeds, rituals and traditions that hold strongly on Churchianity. The movement held strongly to bible directions as perfect rule of a restored church.

The Separate Baptist originated at the Southern New England although it later spread to the West frontiers of Kentucky and Tennessee.  The restorational movements that were led by Barton Stone and called “The Christians” with another group led by Thomas Campbell who were referred as “The Disciples of Christ” originated at Western Pennsylvania. These groups took their roots from the Separate Baptists during the era defined as the “Second Great Awakening” by historians.

Many restorationalists Churches derive their root from the Stone – Campbell movements. Such groups includes the Churches of Christ, Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, Christian churches (Disciples of Christ) etc.

In 19th century, some restorationalist groups emerged.  These include the Christaldephia that was formed by Dr. John Thomas whose movement laid much emphasis on anti-trinity, objection to military service to members, and lay-membership of all adherents.

Another movement was the Mormonism that was founded by Joseph Smith who was taken as a prophet sent by Yahweh to restore the primitive apostolic assembly that was established by Yahoshea Meshiyach.  The sect had its first assembly in 1830 in New York with unofficial name as the Church of Christ. The name metamorphosed to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Another group that profess restorationalism was the Adventist Churches which focus upon the second coming of Yahoshea for establishment of the kingdom of Yahweh.

The Adventists movement had numerous distinct denominations which the Millerites are seen as a cornerstone.  For instance, the largest Adventist movement is the Seventh Day Adventist Church which arose from the Millerite group in 1840s in New York.

The Adventist share majority of views of the Protestant Christian teachings such as the trinity and infallibility of the Bible.  The difference of the Seventh Day Adventists is that they observe Sabbath rest on Seventh day.

Among the Adventist family that grew from the works of William Miller (Millerite) was the Advent Christian church that was found in 1860. This Adventist body holds to first day (Sunday) worship.

Another Seventh Day Church that profess restorationalism was the Worldwide Church of God that was founded by Herbert. W. Armstrong which later divided into many other denominations as the Living Church of God and United Church of God.

Churches that claim to restorationalism includes the Jehovah's witness that grew from the Bible Student Movement founded by Charles Russell in 1870.  This movement hold that Russell restored the primitive practices of the early apostles and view other Christian denominations as acts of Great Apostasy.

The movement held to some practices they term as original doctrines of the apostles.  Such practices include rejection of trinity and immorality of soul, abstinence from military service, neutrality in political affairs, proselytization and belief of the manifestation of the kingdom of Yahweh on earth and use of the name Jehovah as the true name of Yahweh.

Another restorationalist movement is the Plymouth Brethren that was found in Ireland in 1827.  The movement became an organized denomination in Plymouth in 1831.  The group later split into two divisions as the Open Brethren and Exclusive Brethren.

In 20th century, many Christian denominations emerged and claiming to restorationalism.  One of such major movements include the Penticostalism that was found by William J. Seymour in 1906.  The Pentecostal hold itself as a restorationalist group that aim at work and power of Holy Spirit upon the church and individuals that they view as been lost after the apostolic era.  Many Oneness Pentecostal movement held themselves as restorational to the experimental acts of the early apostles and such is reason they associate themselves with the term – “Apostolic” or “Apostolic Pentecostal” movements.

Another restorationalist movement is the Jesuism that focus on personal gnosis accommodating the teachings of Yahoshea with adherence to them.  This Christian denomination often oppose the teachings of  the mainstream Christianity.  It hold strongly on the writings of apostle Paul as well as those of the modern church doctrine.

As philosophical sect, Jesuism is grouped under the rationalist traditions of Christianity especially for the fact that it rejects the dispute between faith and science.

Other groups that hold to restorationalism include the Charismatic Movement that evolved in 1960s and 1970s that focus on what it referred as “authentic church order “or “ fivefold ministries” that consist of the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers and Pastors.  One of the striking imputes of the movement into the fold of Pentecostalism is the issue of gifts and applying that denominationalism is unscriptural rather churches are divine made to be organized and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Based on the interest of restoration, there are groups that have accepted the office of apostles amongst Pentecostals.  These groups include the Apostolic – Prophetic Movements that is centered on the Kansas city.

There is equally Shepherding Movement that is centered on the first Lauderdale Five-Dark Prince and others that hold to restorationalism.

Included is the Church of God (Restoration) that was found by Daniel Layne in 1980s. Record bear that Danny Lane was a drug addict but was converted to Christianity.  The Church of God (Restoration) hold that the seventh trumpet in the book of revelation came to fulfillment on around 1980 that Daniel Layne was saved or converted.

Conclusion

The restorationalism as already mentioned is a tradition of many Christian denominations that hold that the Roman Catholic Church and other mainline churches were fulfillment of the prophesied great apostasy where – which the teachings and traditions of the early apostles were blocked and eclipsed with Roman Pagan traditions.  The restorationalist movements variously hold that their ministries are the re-enactment or re-establishment of the primitive model of the apostolicity.

Truly, the Roman Church blocked the way of Yahosheanism but the claim that these Christian denominations reopened or restored the true way is equally a monumental falsehood.  Findings have proven that majority of the acclaimed restorationalist movements focused on the acts or writings of the apostolic fathers who themselves were opposite to the true twelve apostles.  Non of the acclaimed restorationalist movements went dept to restore the true character or principles of the primitive Yahosheanism.

For proof of the findings, the primitive Yahosheanism was based on the Yahudean religious tradition while all the acclaimed restorationalist movements focus on the Greek and Roman traditions with few Yahoshean doctrines applied by the true apostles.

The true restorationalist movement of this era is effected by the religious ministry and tradition of the continued Yahosheanism that is founded by His Holiness, Most Senior Prophet Yahmarabhi Ha Meshiyach.  The prophet established the ancient tradition of the apostles and re-assembled the Latter-day Saints through the establishment of Holy Assemblies of Yahoshea Meshiyach that is centered at Yacity in Rivers State, Nigeria.

            This movement has restored all necessary practices of the early apostles of Yahoshea Meshiyach and expose the teachings to all and sundry. This is the real restorationalist movement that is worthy of showing the true way to a seeker of Yahoshea Meshiyach and his movement.