Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement
Class Companion · Chapter 7

The Stone-Campbell Merger (1832)

In Lexington, two unity and reform movements, represented by Barton W. Stone and Raccoon John Smith, come together to work out unity with each other. Yet after days of wrestling, they disagree on many foundational issues. The only basis for unity they can come up with is the Bible. And that's what they shake on.

(Nov 8)

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The idea

Our movement is united around a commitment to the Bible — NOT agreement on interpretations of the Bible. While uniting on interpretations is impossible, uniting on a commitment to wrestle with Scripture actually worked at least once.

Events

  • Stone–Campbell Merger 1832

    In January 1832, leaders from Barton W. Stone's 'Christians' and Alexander Campbell's 'Disciples' met in Lexington, Kentucky, to formally recognize their fellowship and unite their movements. The historic handshake between Stone and John 'Raccoon' Smith before thousands of witnesses symbolized the possibility of Christian union grounded in Scripture alone, without creedal conformity—embodying the movement's central plea for visible unity.

Read aloud

In faith, unity; in opinion, liberty; in all things, charity.
Restoration slogan (borrowed from earlier sources)
A restoration of pure apostolic Christianity is the only basis of union.
Alexander Campbell
Christians only, not the only Christians.
Early Restoration Slogan

All quotes