What is a Presbyterian???

[resurrection33]

I often hear people characterizing Presbyterianism in a wrong way, so I thought I'd post a video to help people understand what it is and what Presbyterians believe. I hope this video brings a little clarity.

See also The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presby...l_differences_between_PCA_and_the_PC.28USA.29

I was brought up in a United Methodist Church. When I became an adult and decided to return to the church, I returned to the United Methodist Church. It was familiar ground - I was comfortable in it.

I find that different United Methodists believe different things, just exactly as people on this website have differences of opinions. We here are followers of Jesus Christ and try to learn from him. I don't let my pastor, nor my bishop, nor the church's Book of Discipline tell me what to think. I try to think what Jesus teaches me to think.

i would hope all people in all churches feel the same way. Therefore, when the question arises: What do Presbyterians think or what do United Methodists think, I think one needs to be careful. Each church might have a document that says, "This is what we believe," but in truth, most of are trying to follow Jesus, or I hope so, anyway.

 

[Utah]

I left the PCUSA. The congregation where I worshiped was pure regarding giving all glory to God and adhering to the tenants of Scripture, but the denomination as a whole has spiraled way out of control and descends further and further each and every single day into the abyss of p/c ungodliness.

 

[hornetguy]

"Vouchsafeth"???? No wonder I'm not a Presbyterian... couldn't hang with the lingo....lol

 

[crossnote]

"Vouchsafeth"???? No wonder I'm not a Presbyterian... couldn't hang with the lingo....lol

I take it neither do you read the 1611

 

[hornetguy]

Not often.....forsooth.

 

[lovethelight]

There are many parts to the Body of Christ.....they have different functions...not all is a hand or an eye or a foot....oneness in heart, Spirit and of faith in Christ as their Head.

Humm...so, the baptists build a church building 10 feet away from the pentecostals, and they have bitter disagreements about "God's Word" and they treat each as less than acquaintances, but they are in "oneness in heart, Spirit and of faith". Can you explain how that works? Sorry, but it seems a bit delusional...

 

[Grace777x70]

simple...they are walking according to the flesh and they are baby Christians....

1 Peter 2:1-3 (NASB)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
[SUP]2 [/SUP] like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
[SUP]3 [/SUP] if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

Humm...so, the baptists build a church building 10 feet away from the pentecostals, and they have bitter disagreements about "God's Word" and they treat each as less than acquaintances, but they are in "oneness in heart, Spirit and of faith". Can you explain how that works? Sorry, but it seems a bit delusional...

 

[lovethelight]

simple...they are walking according to the flesh and they are baby Christians....

So, my example is not representative of the vast majority of christianity??? Christianity is not made up of thousands upon thousands of divisions??? So, the vast majority of those who take the label "Christian" are walking according to the flesh? But you are not part of a division? YOUR division is different, right... What does this mean, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" and how does your statement about christians "walking according to the flesh" square up with that?

 

[crossnote]

So, my example is not representative of the vast majority of christianity??? Christianity is not made up of thousands upon thousands of divisions??? So, the vast majority of those who take the label "Christian" are walking according to the flesh? But you are not part of a division? YOUR division is different, right... What does this mean, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" and how does your statement about christians "walking according to the flesh" square up with that?

Those divisions are man made and have nothing to do with a born again christian's unity in Christ...

Ephesians 2:15-18 KJVS
[15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; [16] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: [17] And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. [18] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

1 Corinthians 12:13 KJVS
[13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

 

[phil36]

Those divisions are man made and have nothing to do with a born again christian's unity in Christ...

I agree that divisions are man made. However, they are based on the concience of christian men and women of what they believe to be true from scriture. so they are not as another poster says - walking in the flesh or baby christians. take for instance infant vs 'believers' baptism'.. Most people assume that its just an issue over whether or not we baptize believers children or not, yet it is much more it affects your whole view of covenant. It maybe a secondary issue but and important difference. Thats just one example. yet both are as crossnote say part of the universal/catholic church.

On the whole we all believe the basic ABC's, the important issues of the gospel, so there is total unity in the church (evangelical). It is a fallacy to state otherwise, and it is here where people get confused and misunderstand. On a light hearted note - those who say we should just all get along, my answer is this..it is because of you we cannot. That being said, christians from every background do get along in unity with the gospel message, the dangers are from those who can't see the difference and make secondary issues primary ones. we see it all the time even just on here!

Just to comlicate things even further, within the churh we have what is called the visible and invisible. The visible is all those who come togather and say they are christian whether they really are or not, the invisible is those who are. In other words, the is a mix of wheat and tares. Unfortunatly the tares seem to be getting stronger in some denominations which calls actually for the wheat to take a stand - or eventually to split away. The good news is that satan will never prevail.

 

[Grace777x70]

simple again.....all of us need to grow up in the Lord....bickering about the divisions is not the answer..Jesus is..we need to grow in the grace and knowledge of Him.

Colossians 2:6-8 (NASB)
[SUP]6 [/SUP] Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
[SUP]7 [/SUP] having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
[SUP]8 [/SUP] See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

So, my example is not representative of the vast majority of christianity??? Christianity is not made up of thousands upon thousands of divisions??? So, the vast majority of those who take the label "Christian" are walking according to the flesh? But you are not part of a division? YOUR division is different, right... What does this mean, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" and how does your statement about christians "walking according to the flesh" square up with that?