Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 8
March 14, 1957
NUMBER 44, PAGE 5a

Why I Am Not A Campbellite

Weldon Warnock

Many times members of the church are referred to as "Campbellites" by those who oppose the truth. The writer has been designated as such on several occasions, and he thus proposes to show why he is not a Campbellite and chooses not to be one.

The name was coined during the restoration movement when men rebelled against denominational creeds and false practices and began a search for the ancient order. Prominent among these restorers was Alexander Campbell who was influential in leading many to Christ. False teachers, losing many of their followers to the teaching of Campbell, tacked the name "Campbellite" upon them. Those who obeyed the teaching of Campbell never chose to wear Campbell's name, nor did Campbell exhort them to do so; he taught against human names. The name Campbellite was given in derision out of animosity and jealousy by enemies of truth, who failing to answer Biblical arguments, could only cry "Campbellites."

The reason men still refer to Christians today as "Campbellites" is for one of two reasons or even both. (1) They are not acquainted with the truth, or (2) they are wilfully malicious. The Lord will take care of the last one in the judgment, and we trust this lesson will aid in clearing up the first one.

First of all, I am not a Campbellite because I am not a disciple of Campbell. To be a Campbellite I would have to be a disciple, follower or learner of Campbell. Some say that we teach the same things as Campbell and are therefore followers of him. Perhaps, but not because Campbell taught them, but because the Bible teaches them. Because Campbell taught something and I practice it doesn't necessarily make me a Campbellite. By the same token I would be a Baptist, Methodist, Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic or Lutheran. For example, if my advocating no instrumental music in the worship, as Campbell did, makes me a Campbellite, then it also makes me a Greek Catholic because the Greek Catholic Church teaches the same. But I am not Greek Catholic because Paul taught that only vocal music is acceptable. (Eph. 5:19.) If teaching immersion for baptism makes me a Campbellite, it also makes me a Baptist because Hiscox, a Baptist, taught immersion. But I am not a Baptist for Paul taught immersion in Romans 6:3-5 and I teach immersion because Paul did.

Campbell taught things that I do not believe. For example, he upheld the missionary society through which the church could do its work of teaching. If I were to accept Campbell's conclusions regardless of his premises, then I might be a Campbellite, but if I only accept his premises when they are scriptural, then I am only a Christian.

Second, I am not a Campbellite because Campbell was not crucified for me and I was not baptized in his name. In I Corinthians 1:11-13, Paul shows there are two things necessary for ownership. First, is a crucifixion for, and, second, is baptism into the name of the one crucified. Paul is showing the Corinthians that this would be essential for them to be a "Paulite." Hence, this would also be necessary for one to be a Campbellite. It would do the Baptists and Lutherans some good to take a little "peek" at this passage. John the Baptist was never crucified for anybody; neither was Martin Luther. The Baptists and Lutherans both accept and wear human names; Christians wear only the name of Christ.

Third, I am not a Campbellite because there is no salvation in the name of Campbell. He was only a minister. Paul says, "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." (I Cor. 3:5-7.) Salvation is only in the name of Christ. Peter states, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must he saved." (Acts 4:12.) This eliminates Campbell, John the Baptist, Martin Luther or any other mortal man.

Fourth, I am not a Campbellite because I reject all human names and religious designations. Human names are carnal and sinful. "For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?" (I Cor. 3:4.) Anyone who wears a name that cannot be found in the word of God falls in this category. Again we read, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Col. 3:17.) Too, human names are responsible for division. Unity can never prevail until all human designations are discarded and we begin speaking as the oracles of God.

Fifth, I am not a Campbellite because I am a Christian. This is the only name one can read about in the Bible. A more beautiful name cannot be found. Every time the name is spoken, Christ is glorified. Yet, many find more pleasure in wearing human names that glorify mortal men than wearing a name that glorifies the God of heaven. The name Christian has almost been completely hidden by the doctrines and precepts of men. Even when members of the Lord's church are asked what they are religiously, many reply "church of Christ" instead of Christian. Christian is a God-given name. It was prophesied by Isaiah in chapter 62 and verse 2. The prophecy was fulfilled in Acts 11:26. Only two other times is the name mentioned. In Acts 26:28, King Agrippa uses it, and, finally, Peter uses the word in I Peter 4:16 as he exhorts all followers of Christ to glorify God in this name.