TheFullFaith.com — The Original Church Is Still Here
The Restoration Question

Did Christ’s Church Disappear?

If you come from a church of Christ background like I do, you've probably heard some version of the idea that Christianity eventually departed from the New Testament pattern and needed to be restored. I believed that for years. But eventually I realized there was a question I had never seriously investigated: Did Christ's Church actually disappear?

Start with the promises of Christ.

If Christ promised His Church endurance and the continuing guidance of the Holy Spirit, a total apostasy is not a small historical claim. It is a claim about whether those promises were fulfilled.

What did Jesus promise?

MATTHEW 16:18

The gates will not prevail

Jesus says He will build His Church and that the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

MATTHEW 28:20

I am with you always

Christ promises His disciples His presence “always, until the end of the age.”

JOHN 14:16

The Spirit remains

Jesus promises another Advocate who will remain with His people forever.

1 TIMOTHY 3:15

The Church and truth

Paul calls the Church—not an invisible future restoration—the pillar and foundation of truth.

Then ask the historical question

If the apostolic Church disappeared, when did it disappear? Was it already gone by A.D. 96 when Clement described apostolic succession? By A.D. 107 when Ignatius described bishops and the Eucharist? By A.D. 155 when Justin described Christian baptism, Sunday worship, and the Eucharist? By A.D. 180 when Irenaeus appealed to the public succession of bishops from the apostles?

Don't view the Church Fathers as authorities. Think of them as trustworthy historical witnesses.

They lived closest to the time of Jesus and the Apostles. Some knew the Apostles or were taught by those who did. Their testimony matters a lot.

If you wanted to know what really happened at an event, would you rather hear from someone who was there—or from people closest to those who were there—or from someone who only read about it many centuries later?

A trail that does not disappear

A.D. 33The apostles preach, baptize, celebrate the breaking of bread, and establish churches.
c. A.D. 96Clement says the apostles appointed ministers and provided for approved men to succeed them. Read 1 Clement 42–44 in context →
c. A.D. 107Ignatius, a bishop from the apostolic age, speaks naturally of bishops and calls the Eucharist the flesh of Christ. Read Ignatius in context →
c. A.D. 155Justin describes baptism for regeneration, Sunday worship, and a Eucharist that Christians do not receive as common bread. Read Justin in context →
c. A.D. 180Irenaeus says apostolic teaching can be identified through the public succession of bishops and points especially to Rome. Read Irenaeus in context →
1800sStone and Campbell call Christians to restore New Testament Christianity. The question is whether the Church they sought had actually vanished in the first place.

If the Catholic Church was not the continuation of the apostolic Church, then I think we have to ask an important question: Where is the other one?

Not theoretically. Historically. Who were its leaders? Where did it worship? What did it teach? What writings did it leave? Who were its martyrs? Where was it in A.D. 150, 250, 500, 1000, and 1500?

Don't become Catholic because I tell you to. Test every claim on this site. Open your Bible. Read the earliest Christians for yourself. Ask what the historical evidence actually allows you to believe.