Presbyterian Church
By: Elizabeth Kapsner and Jeremiah
Leiviska
Founder of Presbyterianism
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The Co-Founders of Presbyterianism were John
Calvin and John Knox
Calvinism, started by John Calvin, which was
the start of the Presbyterian belief, although
most denominations do not follow Calvinism
anymore
John Knox brought back Presbyterianism to
Scotland in 1560 during the Reformation
After Knox’s return, the Scottish Parliament
adopted Presbyterianism in their government,
along with Ireland and England in secret during
the final years of Elizabeth I reign
Continued Movement
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Return of the Monarchy was the return of
Episcopalian belief
Escaping persecution, Presbyterianism
moved to the “New World” where Irish,
English, Scottish, Dutch, German and
French joined the smaller diverse
branches into the Presbyterian Church
(USA) in 1706
Beliefs of the Presbyterian Church
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Scripture alone is a fundamentalist stand on what
the bible is, there are not a lot of traditions that
are followed
By Grace Alone means that by God’s grace alone
we are saved
To God alone be the glory is an understanding
that only give the glory of your salvation to God
and not to saints or mother Mary
By Faith Alone means that our faith of God can
only get people into heaven, Good works mean
nothing
Christ Alone, Christ has saved us
Presbyterians Worldwide
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The Worldwide
Presbyterian Church is
in organization with
Presbyterian Church
(USA)
The Worldwide
Organization has ties
with partner churches
in 70 countries and
missionaries in 80
other countries
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United States has 2.5
Million Presbyterians
Korea has more than
4 Million Presbyterians
Kenya has more than
3 million Presbyterians
Indonesian Countries
have more than 10
Million
Based off of
information from Rev.
Fahed Abu-Akel, the
highest elected
Presbyterian official
Book of Confessions
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The Book of Confessions was
adopted by the Presbyterian Church
(USA) as a way for people to know
what the confession of their faith
and bears witness to God’s grace in
Jesus Christ
The confessional statements in the
Book of Confessions declare to its
member and to the world: Who and
what it is, What it believes, What it
resolves to do
These statements also: Guide the
church and their study of the
scriptures, summarize the essence
of Christian tradition, direct the
church in maintaining sound
doctrines, equip the church for its
work of proclamation
Every confession is timely of the
Christian faith and should not be
changed but other should be added
if more timely confessions are
needed
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Table of Contents
Nicene Creed (AD 325-381)
Apostles’ Creed (Second to Sixth
Century)
Scots Confession (1560)
Heidelberg Catechism (1563)
Second Helvetia Confession (1566)
Westminster Confession of Faith
(1647)
Westminster Shorter Catechism
(1647)
Westminster Larger Catechism
(1647)
The Theological Declaration of
Barmen(1935)
Confession of 1967 (1967)
A brief Statement of Faith (1991)
Westminster Denomination
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A larger portion of the Presbyterian Church
believes in the Westminster denomination
Westminster uses Catechism, which exist as
larger and smaller Catechism
The larger version is for the “more exact and
comprehensive” member to be fully aware of
their confessions. The shorter version was for
“more easy and short” for the beginning member
Example:
Question 1: What is the chief and highest end of
man?
Answer: Man's chief and highest end is to glorify
God, and fully to enjoy him forever.
Westminster (Cont.)
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Larger Catechism has 196
questions and answers
Shorter Catechism has 107
questions and answers
All of the Catechism of the
Westminster were written in 1643
to 1647 by
Tour of the Church
http://www.implex.net/metatags/wes
tminster/promo.asx