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Restoration Leaders' Biographies  Alexander Campbell
“I have set out to follow the apostles of Christ and their Master, and I will be baptized only into the primitive Christian faith.”
Alexander Campbell, sometimes referred to as “defender of the faith,” embarked on a life-long quest to unite followers of Christ by one standard: the Bible. He never set out to start a new denomination. In fact, even though those who ascribe to Campbell’s ideas refer to their movement as the Restoration Movement, Campbell never used such a term. He preferred to call the young movement a reformatory one. He was not in the business of creating anything new, rather he sought to unite followers of Christ.
 Barton W. Stone
“I have differed with him on some points, but while I have a spark of true religion, I cannot be separated in heart, from as good a man as Barton W. Stone.”
That statement is indicative of the sentiment that acquaintances and friends had for Restoration Movement preacher Barton Warren Stone. He filled a crucial role within a young movement. He battled spiritual demons on his journey to embracing a faith found solely within the pages of the New Testament. What Stone did in Kentucky and the surrounding area forever transformed the religious landscape in America. Stone’s place within the Churches of Christ, Christian Church/Churches of Christ, and the Disciples of Christ cannot be overemphasized. Stone’s place as one of our Movement’s pioneers continues to solidify with each passing year.
He left a legacy of Christian unity, commitment to scriptural authority, and forbearance with others of differing opinions.
 Thomas Campbell
“Nothing ought to be inculcated upon Christians as articles of faith; nor required of them as terms of communion, but what is expressly taught and enjoined upon them in the word of God.”
Thomas Campbell, in 1809, authored the most important document, next to the Bible, for adherents of the American Restoration Movement: The Declaration and Address. Campbell had grown tired of religious wrangling, the making of creeds and confessions of faith as tests of communion. His grievances against followers of Christ were seen in his fight against sectarianism and his desire for the unity of all who call themselves Christian. He firmly believed and advocated that the basis of unity for followers of Christ is found in what is expressly taught in the Bible, and not in the opinions of people.
His Declaration and Address contained thirteen propositions, the most famous of which was the first one which stated, “The Church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one; consisting of all those in every place that profess their faith in Christ and obedience to him in all things according to the Scriptures, and that manifest the same by their tempers and conduct, and of none else; as none else can be truly and properly called Christians.”
He passed down his commitment to the unity of all Christians to his son, Alexander, who sounded the call to return to New Testament Christianity. The elder Campbell, though not as much in the forefront as his son, Alexander, still had a tremendous influence on the American Restoration Movement as it continued to grow.  Walter Scott
“But what is the truth? Time out of number we are told in scripture that the grand saving truth is, that ‘Jesus is the Christ.’ This is the bond of union among Christians – the essence – the spirit of all revelation.”
Walter Scott, often referred to as the “evangelist” of the American Restoration Movement, embraced what he called the “golden oracle;” namely, acknowledgment that Jesus is the Messiah. Scott’s influence is still felt throughout churches connected with the Movement. His five-finger plan of salvation still echoes through halls of church buildings and in Bible studies.
Significantly influenced by John Locke and Sir Francis Bacon, Scott placed a great emphasis on the use of reason in leading people to Christ. He preached the “Gospel Restored” and accentuated baptism for the remission of sins, on which he wrote a lengthy discourse entitled, The Gospel Restored.
His ministry revolved around the great truth that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. This claim, Scott believed, was a key to the unity of all followers of Christ.
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