Feature Photo: Tanya translates the Wednesday night lesson.
On my previous visit, I was asked to teach classes on “The history of the churches of Christ in Ukraine.” This class was scheduled for this fall trip. The preparation and continuing study have been rewarding. Class attendance has been very good, and numerous visitors attend nightly—some are present for each class.
In these reports, I can only scratch the surface of the amazing material on this topic.
Ukraine has a rich heritage of religious devotion. This devotion eclipses the Orthodox Churches. Historically, in Ukraine, there have been voices calling for a return to the New Testament Scriptures, the refusal to follow Church tradition, and the reliance upon the authority of the Scriptures as the governing authority for faith and practice.
These calls, in Ukraine’s history, for a return to biblical authority join many other such movements in Europe. These predate the restoration efforts in the USA by centuries, thus establishing that the call to restore the New Testament pattern is not just a “Campbell/Stone event.” The restoration plea is validated by many movements in many nations.
In the class, I have prepared several historical anecdotes showing how Ukraine has long sought to follow the biblical pattern in faith and practice.
I want to thank Vladimir Paziy and Tommy South for their eager partnership in this study!
In the 1500s, there was a strong effort in Ukraine to provide biblical authority in faith and practice. This effort would produce the first reliable translation of the Bible in the Slavic language. Prince Ostrovsky established the Ostroh Academy National University, located in the village of Ostroh, about 40 minutes south of today’s Rivne. Today, the university is one of Ukraine’s 118 “National Universities,” which designate the top educational institutions. The Prince’s castle was located nearby. He founded the Institute for the express purpose of producing a Bible in Church Slavonic. He recruited linguistic scholars from various places in Europe, and within a few years they had produced the very first complete Church Slavonic translation of the Bible (the first in any Slavic language)! The result was called “The Ostrog Bible,” and it was first published on August 12, 1581.
The desire for an autonomous, practiced religious faith and belief practice is dear to the hearts of Ukrainians. This desire has been oppressed by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. The autonomy of the New Testament Church is an insufferable irritant to those wishing to control the population with manipulative religion.
Consequently, those seeking to follow the New Testament biblical pattern dismiss the blasphemous innovations, mark the divisive arrogance, expose the devilish doctrines, and reveal the foolishness of binding manmade traditions. These seek only the New Testament pattern as the religious authority for their doctrine and practice.
Vladimir Paziy told me of Anya Ivanova’s father (Anya was a faithful member of the Konstantinovka Church of Christ but has gone from this life and now “rests in the Lord”). She was 84-87 years old when she related this story to Vlad. Around 1900, before the Revolution, Anya’s father traveled from village to village preaching the New Testament truth. He urged all to follow biblical authority and shun the Orthodox hierarchy. He taught that immersion was only for the adult believer. He decried the veneration of the saints; he taught that the “relics” of the saints had no mystical value. The Orthodox Church was incensed. Finally, it had enough. As her father travelled into a certain village to preach, the men of the village attacked and beat him, and he died from the serious wounds.
Many other anecdotal events and personalities illustrate the thirst for the restoration of New Testament Christianity in Ukraine. This class utilizes such events and persons to color the basic theme—the restoration of New Testament Christianity is very strong in Ukraine. Once the principles of biblical authority are allowed to guide and govern religious beliefs and practices, there is rejoicing! The blasphemous practices of the Orthodox/Catholic Church are exposed; the blasphemy of the progressive “change and reject the ‘old’” is identified.
There is still a hunger and thirsting after the pure Word of God. This is God’s “key” to Church growth—go back to the “old ways.” It worked in the first century, and it will still work in the twenty-first century regardless of what the “scholars” say!
The attendance at the first class was very encouraging. We had visitors present, and they are promising to attend as often as possible!
Consider the courage that motivated these to stand alone and tenaciously hold to the New Testament truths. Be imitators of their faith and uncompromising devotion to God. Refuse to be beguiled by Satan and think you can “improve” God’s simple plan.
Gif’s work with the congregation is evident. The atmosphere of the class and fellowship is wonderful. Joy bubbles to the top. There are those eager to just do anything to help. Exciting developments are occurring and I will highlight these in future reports.
“Through your prayers” (Phlm 22), this trip will see multiple successes as “doors of opportunity” open (Colossians 4:3)!
Thank you for your constant prayers!
John L. Kachelman, Jr., UKRAINE MISSIONS, Dalraida Church of Christ, Montgomery, AL
