The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada

The Restoration Movement consolidated and grew tremendously between 1830 and 1860. In 1801, the Cane Ridge Revival in Kentucky would plant the seed for a movement in Kentucky and the Ohio River valley to disassociate from denominationalism. Barton W. Stone and five others published The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery in 1804 giving up denominational ties and preferring to be known simply as Christians. Stone was influenced by his earlier involvement with O'Kelley and knew of the Republican Methodists use of only the name Christian. Restorationism sought to renew the whole Christian church, on the pattern set forth in the New Testament, without regard to the creeds developed over time in Catholicism, Orthodoxy, or Reformed Protestantism, which allegedly kept Christianity divided. Churches are now found throughout the globe, claiming to "concentrate on the essential aspects of the Christian faith, allowing for a diversity of understanding with non-essentials." Basically, there are those whose beliefs and doctrines may differ on minor subjects, but who believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God as the savior and authority of the church. At the same time important changes left their mark on the movement's progress and future for The Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples). The movement acknowledged Barton W. Stone as its leader while Campbell and others slipped into the background. Some say the "Christian Disciples" grew on "preaching, publishing, pedagogy and the plea." Most important, it grew!

4 Key Principles of the Restoration Movement

1. Christianity should not be divided, Christ intended the creation of one church.
2. Creeds divide, but Christians should be able to find agreement by standing on the Bible itself (from which all creeds are human expansions or constrictions) instead of on the opinions of men about the Bible.
3. Ecclesiastical traditions divide, but Christians should be able to find common ground by following the... [continues]

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