Presbyterianism
Brief History
Among the earliest of the 'Protestant Reformers' was John Calvin
(1509-1564). He was born in Noyon, France to Roman Catholic parents.
Calvin was converted from Roman Catholicism in 1533 and during the
following three years, he lived in seclusion under an assumed name
(Lingle, W.A. Presbyterianism: Their History and Beliefs. 1944, p.25-26).
He studied the New Testament in the original language and though he
did not start a distinct sect in his day, he was founder of the doctrine
that wears his name, Calvinism. It is usually associated with Presbyterianism,
although a number of churches which are not Presbyterian in government
hold to Calvin's tenets.
The word Presbyterian comes from the Greek word presbuteros (elder);
hence, a Presbyterian church is governed by elders. The doctrine and
church government system was transferred to Scotland from France,
Holland and Geneva. There, under the leadership of John Knox, Presbyterianism
became very strong. The Church of Scotland came into existence and
the first book of discipline was written in 1560; 1592 marked the
acceptance by Parliament of Presbyterianism as the established state
church (Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia, Vol. III, p.1892).
The Westminster Association, in session from 1643-1649, framed the
Westminster Confession of Faith. This became the doctrinal standard
for both English and American Presbyterianism. Francis Makemie is
considered the founder of American Presbyterianism, for he organized
the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church in Maryland in 1684. There have been
seventeen distinct segments of Presbyterians from near the beginning
of the movement.
Calvin followed a simple worship in his churches. There was congregational
singing, a departure from his early experience in the Roman Catholic
Church. They used no instruments of music, for Calvin opposed such
as a departure from New Testament worship, borrowed from Roman Catholicism.
He broke away from the altar worship pattern, and placed the reading
and preaching in the central place. Strict moral discipline was exercised
(for cursing, adultery, playing cards on Sunday, spending time in
taverns, betrothing a Papist, wife beating, etc.).
The five points of Calvinism are: Total Depravity, Unconditional
Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistable Grace, and Perseverance
of the Saints. James Arminius, a professor at the University of Leyden,
opposed the other professors for their "high Calvinism"
in a theological battle that lasted several years (Lingle, op. cit..p.29-42).
Here is an official statement from the Presbyterian church: "Presbyterians
share many beliefs in common with all Christians, and we are a product
of the Protestant Reformation along with Methodists, Lutherans, etc.
Of course we have our own distinctive beliefs and practices. Presbyterians
are distinctive in two major ways: they adhere to a pattern of religious
thought known as Reformed theology and a form of government that stresses
the active, representational leadership of both ministers and church
members."
Belief System
Presbyterian Belief 1
- "God has predestined and foreordained some men and angels out
of his free grace and love without any foresight of faith in either
of them, and others are foreordained to everlasting death and the
number of either is so certain and definite that it cannot be increased
or diminished" (Westminster Confession of Faith, Article 3,4,5;
Chapter 3; Article 2, Chapter 10).
Word of God 1 - Salvation
is for all who believe and obey the gospel (Joh. 3:16; Heb. 5:9; Mat.
28:18-20; Mar. 16:15-16; Rom. 10:9-17; 6:1-18; Act. 2:38, 39; 2 Thes.
2:14; 1:7-8; 2 Pet. 1:10.
Presbyterian Belief 2
- God's grace is so irresistable that one cannot help yielding to
it if he is among the elect; he has no choice, but must be saved (Doctrine
of Irresistable Grace).
Word of God 2 - God
is no respector of persons (Act. 10:34; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim.2:3-4; 1
Joh. 4:14). Man must choose for himself whom he will serve, Jehovah
or false gods (Jos. 24:15). Obedience is from our own mind and heart
(Rom. 6:17-18).
Presbyterian Belief 3
- God's atonement was sufficient for all, but efficient only for the
elect (Lingle, p.41).
Word of God 3 - Grace
is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9). All sufficiency in all things (2 Cor.
9:8). Christ died for the ungodly (Rom. 5:6). One died for all (2
cor. 5:14).
Presbyterian Belief 4
- One cannot fall from God's grace, it is an utter impossibility (Calvin's
doctrine of Perseverance of Saints).
Word of God 4 - Judas
did fall (Act. 1:25). You may fall (Heb. 12:15; 1 Cor. 10:12). Some
did fall (Gal. 5:4). Paul feared he might fall (1 Cor. 9:27). One
must choose to be saved (Act. 2:47; Joh. 3:3-5; Mat. 13:41). We labor
in hope of eternal life (Tit. 1:2).
Presbyterian Belief 5
- There are three baptismal modes; immersion is not necessary, but
one may be sprinkled or poured (Presbyterian Confession of Faith,
Chapter 30, p.157).
Word of God 5 - Buried
(Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12). Going down into, coming up out of (Act. 8:36-39).
Baptize = Baptizo = immersion.
Presbyterian Belief 6
- Infants of one or both believing parents are to be baptized (Presbyterian
Confession of Faith, Chapter 30, p.157). Voted by Westminster Assembly,
1643-9. Carried: 25 to drop dipping and 24 to retain sprinkling.
Word of God 6 - Men
and Women (Act. 8:12). Belief precedes baptism (Mar. 16:16). Repentance
precedes baptism (Act. 2:38). Must hear and learn before coming to
Christ (Joh. 6:45).
Presbyterian Belief 7
- Faith alone will save a person.
Word of God 7 - (Jam.
2:14, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26). Some believe yet are lost (Joh. 12:42).
Presbyterian Belief 8
- Confession of the Apostles Creed is necessary.
Word of God 8 - No
Apostles Creed in the Bible. The only confession (Act. 8:38-39; Rom.
10:10; Mat. 10:32-33; 1 Joh. 4:2).
Presbyterian Belief 9
- Communion is not to be observed weekly. "And truly this custom,
which enjoins communing once a year is most wicked contrivance of
the devil, by whose instrumentality soever it may have been determined"
(Calvin's Institutes, Book 4, Chapter 17). "It ought to have
been far otherwise. Every week at least the table of the Lord should
have been spread for Christian assemblies" (Calvin's Institutes,
Book 6, Chapter 18).
Word of God 9 - Early
church communed weekly (Act. 20:1; 1 Cor. 11:23). Also see Lev. 24:5-9;
Heb. 10:1, Act. 2:42).
Presbyterian Belief 10
- The Holy Spirit acts directly upon the heart of the elect to persuade
him to obey the call of the Gospel. "We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and Giver of Life, who moves everywhere upon the heart of
men to restrain them from evil and to incite them to good...and to
persuade them to obey the call of the Gospel" (General Assembly
in Los Angeles, 1903).
Word of God 10 - Christ
prayed for the Holy Spirit to come to apostles (Joh. 14:15-17). Promised
to those who repent and are baptized (Act. 2:38; 5:32). Holy Spirit
assisted preachers directly in New Testament but never operated directly
on sinner in saving him (Act. 8:26-39).
