Biblically Presbyterian

We use this description for two reasons.  1) The bible teaches that the Church’s government should be Presbyterian in form.  2) Some who call themselves Presbyterian no longer follow the Bible.  In both these reasons there is evident a foundational element, the role of the Bible.  To be biblically Presbyterian is to believe in the authority of the Bible as the basis for life and practice.

The Bible and Church Government:

 As in any institution that is established by God (home, church, and civil government) there is clear biblical teaching about how that institution is to be governed under God.  Jesus gave his Church all that is necessary for its continuation until his return. 

 Clearly, Jesus Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:10, 22,23; WCF 25:1).  From the establishment of the office in Elder in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:16) through the New Testament (Acts 14:23) we understand that God ordained that certain men be elected to the office of elder as the under-shepherds of God’s people.  The word, “Presbyterian” is derived from the Greek New Testament word presbyter which means elder.  What is evident in the book of Acts where we see the functioning of the New Testament Church is a rule by a plurality of elders.  The church was never ruled by one man, except the God-man, Jesus Christ who is its head who rules from heaven.  Thus elders were established in every congregation (Acts 14:23), the elders gathered together with the apostles to solve theological issues (Acts 15), the qualifications for future elders are given in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1, and we see that the elders or its Greek equivalent, the “presbytery” ordained men to office (I Timothy 4:14).  Even with the unique office of apostle (Ephesians 4:11ff) there was a plurality and they were equal in all respects (II Corinthians 11:5).

 The book of Acts also teaches us that the local churches were not merely independent congregations that were ruled by elders.  There is an organic unity to the Church (see Acts 9:31, 15:22).  At the conclusion of the meeting of the first General Assembly in Acts 15 the Assembly’s authority is binding on all the local churches (Acts 16:4).  The point here is that the Church is made up of local churches or congregations which have an organic connection to the whole as the people of God or bride of Christ.

 The other biblical and ordinary office given to the church is the office of Deacon.  Again, the book of Acts in chapter 6 gives the rationale for this office as special service to the people of God.  In I Timothy 3 the qualifications of those who would possess this office are given.

 Presbyterians and the Bible

 One of the hallmarks of reformed theology is the phrase, “the scriptures or bible alone.”  The authority in the church is the word of Christ in the Bible.  The Presbyterian Church has always had a high regard for the authenticity, origin, and authority of the scriptures.  It is often stated that the scriptures are the only infallible rule for faith and practice is the Bible.  The Presbyterian Church is a creedal church. It holds to the ecumenical creeds and also to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms as the correct understanding of scripture. The very first chapter of the confession testifies that the “Supreme judge by which all controversies or religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.” (WCF 1:10).

 Unfortunately many Presbyterians have left the authority of scripture and followed the opinions of men or the pressure of worldly culture.  This has resulted in the denials of long held doctrines such as the inerrancy of scripture, the deity of Christ or the tolerance of practices clearly taught in scripture to be sinful.

 The Orthodox Presbyterian Church was born out of this conflict when it separated from the Presbyterian Church (USA) in early part of the 20^th century.  We have ever since tried to abide by the authority of scripture.  This is the kind of church we are.  If you are looking for a church that takes the Bible seriously, I would encourage you to come, listen, learn, and participate with us.

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