Walter Scott (1796-1861) was one of the early preachers of the gospel in Northeast Ohio and did much to advance the cause of the ancient gospel in that area. In the book, Buckeye Disciples, author Henry K. Shaw noted that without the contributions of Walter Scott in proclaiming the gospel, “it is doubtful if the movement would have gained such momentum in a few years” (p. 45).
However, this “momentum” was not wholly due to the ability or zeal of men like Scott. Many people at that time were waking up to the idea that the gospel that was preached by the apostles was not the same message as the one being proclaimed by denominational preachers. Notice the following example of an individual named William Amend:
“[Walter Scott] opened his work at New Lisbon in November, 1827. On the night of the eighteenth, he had almost completed his sermon when a prominent Presbyterian layman entered the meetinghouse in time to hear Scott’s concluding remarks which contained a summary of the evening discourse. Scott closed with an invitation to those present to yield to the gospel terms of salvation. William Amend, the aforementioned Presbyterian layman, surprised everybody by responding to the call and making a public declaration of faith. He was baptized that same night in a near-by stream. Amend, who had been studying his Bible for years, had come independently to Scott’s position. Regarding this, he disclosed in a letter to Scott five years later that prior to their first meeting, and once after reading the second chapter of Acts, he had declared to his wife:
O this is the gospel—this is the thing we seek—the remission of sins! O that I could hear the gospel, in these same words—as Peter preached it! I hope I shall some day hear it; and the first man I meet, who will preach the gospel thus, with him will I go” (Buckeye Disciples, p. 45-46).
This man knew the truth from studying his Bible. He did not become convinced of it simply because he heard someone like Walter Scott teach it – though this is certainly a valid way to become convinced of the truth (cf. Romans 10:13-15). Instead, he became convinced by reading the words of the apostles.
When William Amend heard Walter Scott preach “Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Remission of Sins, Gift of the Holy Spirit” (Buckeye Disciples, p. 54), he recognized it as being the same message that was preached on the day of Pentecost:
“‘Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified!’ Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:36-38).
On the day of Pentecost, there were “three thousand souls” who “received his word [and] were baptized” (Acts 2:41). They recognized the message that Peter taught was the truth, so they believed it and obeyed it.
Almost two hundred years ago, men like William Amend heard the gospel “in these same words—as Peter preached it.” They recognized that the message was truth, so they believed it and obeyed it.
The gospel has not changed since then (cf. Galatians 1:6-9) – nor will it change in the future. If, as William Amend said, “the thing we seek [is] the remission of sins,” we need to recognize the truth of the gospel when it is preached “in these same words.” Upon seeing the truth, we must believe it and obey it.
Furthermore, in trying to reach others, we simply need to preach the gospel “in these same words.” Those who are honestly seeking the truth will respond to it (cf. Luke 8:15). We do no one any favors by conforming our message to what is being taught by the churches of men. We need to preach the same message that the apostles preached.
