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).