Presbyterianism at a Glance
Recently we did a couple of blogs on Presbyterianism that you can listen to here and here (another will soon be released). They don’t say everything - whole books have after all been written showing various shades of nuance. However, we offer them as a starting point. As with Baptism, this post is an ‘at a glance’ look at the issues.
It’s not just about governance, but…
The word presbyter comes from the Greek word for elder. So Presbyterian means ruled by elders.
The most important thing about Presbyterianism is not our form of governance and organisation. Go to our doctrinal basis, the Westminster Confession of Faith and see. However, how the Church organises itself is not a matter of pragmatics or indifference. The Bible gives us some instructions and guidelines for our good. We recognise that faithful Anglicans, Independents, Congregationalists and Brethren, are trying to live out these principles too. We (naturally) feel that Presbyterianism best fits all the Biblical data. Presbyterianism isn’t essential to be a true church (esse) but it is for her good (bene), even for her essential good (esse bene).
Of course, a group of unconverted, ungodly Presbyterians is going to make a miserable Church. But if we are talking about faithful believers, a Presbyterian form gives accountability to leaders, mutual encouragement and the ‘connectionalism’ that is patently evident on the pages of Scripture.
Chosen from among you
Exodus 18, Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5 - God’s Word lays out criteria for an elder and then the people are to make an appointments based on that from among themselves. Acts 6, (about deacons - discuss!) shows the same principle.
Elders, bishops and shepherds
In Acts 20:17-35, Paul addresses the elders also calling the same group bishops (some translations overseers) and shepherds (or pastors). These are the same people in the same office. The terms give different facets to the role, but they are not separate posts. It’s not suggesting an overseer/bishop is over a group of elders with pastors doing something else.
The Church is not just local and universal
I think all Christians will agree that the NT talks about the Church. Sometimes it means the local congregation, sometimes it means all Christians everywhere. A wonderful truth to mull over. But it can also mean a region of related Churches, e.g. the Church in Jerusalem. From very early on this was too big to be one congregation - by 2 Corinthians the little house church had grown to a group of congregations (2 Corinthians 1:1-2). Yet these collections of congregations are often just called, “The Church”.
Also, Church officers acting as representatives might be called “The Church”, e.g. Matthew 18:17 and how that principle is applied elsewhere.
Ruling Councils
Acts 15 - elders gather together. They wrestle with how to apply a particular truth and relate it to church order. The council is chaired by James, Christ’s brother, not one of the original Apostles, yet they submit themselves to the council.
Pulling these principles together, a Presbyterian Church will:
Have local elders who fit Biblical criteria, appointed by their congregations, who are to pastor the flock
Congregations will be connected and mutually accountable. This may be a smaller level, like a city or county (Presbytery), or national (synod, assembly etc.)
Elders represent their congregations when they meet in a Presbytery.
Of course, there is FAR more to say - but you can see the contours here. Do give us feedback in the comments.
