The History of the Church of Christ – Part 4

The History of the Church of Christ – Part 4

The study of church history gives valuable insight into how the Lord’s church faced changes, challenges, and departures from the New Testament pattern. In our last lesson, we arrived at the early 1500s and now continue with the life and influence of John Calvin. Born in 1509, Calvin was originally Catholic but began to teach that the Roman Catholic Church needed reform. He laid foundations for the Protestant movement and began promoting his ideas through preaching and by establishing a college in western Europe. Calvin believed the Bible should be the only guide, though he restricted its interpretation to certain people. He placed great emphasis on the Ten Commandments, strict discipline, and quarterly communion.

In 1536, Calvin’s theology—later called Calvinism—was summarized in the acronym TULIP.
T – Total Hereditary Depravity: the belief that all people are born sinners, inheriting Adam’s sin.
U – Unconditional Election: the belief in predestination, that God has already chosen who will be saved or lost, regardless of personal choice or conduct.
L – Limited Atonement: the belief that Christ died only for the elect.
I – Irresistible Grace: the belief that those predestined for salvation cannot resist God’s call.
P – Perseverance of the Saints: the belief often expressed as “once saved, always saved.”

Millions today still hold these doctrines, though each contradicts New Testament teaching. Calvin’s influence was so strong that the Catholic Church responded with the Council of Trent, affirming church tradition as equal to Scripture and defending papal authority. The Protestant Reformation was not about restoring the New Testament church but reforming the Catholic Church according to differing human opinions.

In 1572, Thomas Cartwright helped establish the Presbyterian Church in England, its architecture and influence still visible today. The Baptist Church began in 1607 under John Smythe in England. John Knox formed the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. These men all opposed the Catholic Church, but their goal was reform, not restoration. Some voices in the 1600s, however, began calling for unity based solely on the Bible, foreshadowing later restoration efforts.

Henry VIII also played a major role in England’s religious shift. After his dispute with the Catholic Church over marriage and divorce, political and religious turmoil followed. His daughter, Mary—known as “Bloody Mary”—became queen and persecuted those opposing Catholicism, earning her notorious reputation. Elizabeth, her sister, later took the throne, granting greater religious freedom, which eventually allowed the production of the King James Bible.

By the mid-1600s, the Puritan movement began, advocating for New Testament-style church organization. The Quakers arose in 1650, while the Dutch Reformed Church was formed in 1567 by refugees seeking religious freedom.

A significant step toward restoration came in England in 1669 at Toddle Bank, where believers sought to return to the New Testament pattern. They rejected centralized oversight beyond the local church. In 1824, some members formed the Kirkby Church of Christ, which still exists today.

In the 1700s, John Wesley, originally an Anglican priest, founded what became the Methodist Episcopal Church, seeking to reform formalism within the Episcopal Church. Yet others realized reform of Catholicism and its offspring could never achieve God’s original design. They called for complete restoration of the first-century church—removing all human traditions and relying solely on the Bible.

This growing conviction spread across multiple nations. By the 1800s, especially in Scotland, England, and the United States, more leaders would rise to call God’s people back to the Bible alone. The stage was set for what became known as the Restoration Movement.

The History of the Church of Christ – Part 4 Sermon Outline:

1. Introduction to the 1500s and John Calvin

   • Calvin’s background and Catholic beginnings.

   • His role in the Protestant Reformation.

   • Emphasis on the Bible’s authority, yet restricted interpretation.

   • Establishment of a college to promote his teachings.

2. Calvinism and the TULIP Doctrines

   • T – Total Hereditary Depravity (Psalm 51:5 vs. Ezekiel 18:20).

   • U – Unconditional Election (2 Peter 3:9).

   • L – Limited Atonement (John 3:16; Hebrews 2:9).

   • I – Irresistible Grace (Acts 7:51).

   • P – Perseverance of the Saints (Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 6:4-6).

3. The Catholic Response – Council of Trent

   • Defense of tradition as equal to Scripture.

   • Assertion of papal supremacy.

   • Rejection of Protestant criticisms.

4. Expansion of Protestant Denominations

   • Thomas Cartwright and Presbyterianism in England.

   • John Smythe and the Baptist Church.

   • John Knox and the Scottish Presbyterian Church.

   • Early voices for unity on the Bible alone.

5. Religious and Political Turmoil in England

   • Henry VIII’s break from Rome.

   • “Bloody Mary” and persecution of dissenters.

   • Queen Elizabeth’s reign and increased religious freedom.

   • Production of the King James Bible.

6. Movements Toward Restoration

   • Toddle Bank Church in England.

   • Kirkby Church of Christ’s long-standing presence.

   • Puritan emphasis on biblical church organization.

   • Quakers and Dutch Reformed Church beginnings.

7. John Wesley and Methodism

   • Reform of Episcopal formalism.

   • Foundation of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

8. Conclusion – From Reformation to Restoration

   • Reform was not enough; restoration was essential.

   • 1800s leaders pushed to remove traditions and follow Scripture alone.

Call to Action:
We must learn from history. Religious error often arises when human traditions replace God’s Word. Let us commit to unity based on Scripture alone, testing all doctrine by the Bible, and holding fast to the pattern of the New Testament church.

Key Takeaways:

• The Protestant Reformation sought reform, not restoration (Galatians 1:6-9).

• Calvinism’s doctrines contradict plain New Testament teaching (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16).

• The Council of Trent reinforced unscriptural traditions (Mark 7:7-9).

• Political and personal agendas often shaped religious change (James 3:16).

• True unity comes only from following the Bible alone (John 17:20-21).

Scripture Reference List:

• Psalm 51:5 – Misused in support of inherited sin; clarified by Ezekiel 18:20.

• Ezekiel 18:20 – Each person is accountable for their own sin.

• 2 Peter 3:9 – God desires all to come to repentance.

• John 3:16; Hebrews 2:9 – Christ died for all, not just the elect.

• Acts 7:51 – Grace can be resisted.

• Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 6:4-6 – Salvation can be lost.

• Mark 7:7-9 – The danger of replacing God’s commands with traditions.

• John 17:20-21 – Unity based on God’s truth.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO