Presbyterian and Reformed

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Mar 20, 2022
33
6
8
#1
Is there a difference between Presbyterian and Reformed?
 

arthurfleminger

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2021
1,405
771
113
#3
Is there a difference between Presbyterian and Reformed?

One major difference is that Presbyterians view 'Communion' as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's last supper. Church members consider communion a solemn but joyful act, symbolic of celebrating at the table of their Savior, and a reconciliation with God and with one another.

Communion in the Reformed Church of America is viewed differently, in fact much more than a symbolic remembrance. They celebrate the Lord’s Supper, by following what Jesus did when He broke bread and drank wine with His disciples on the night before He died. At Communion, Reformers receive gifts of bread and wine or grape juice, give thanks to God, and share the food and drink with each other. In these simple actions, believers experience a profound mystery: Christ himself is present, and his life passes into us and is made ours. However, Reformed Christians do not believe that the bread and wine or grape juice are physically transformed into Christ’s body and blood.

The Reformed Church's view of Communion closely resembles that of today's Lutheran Church. Lutherans believe that, in Communion, Christ comes to them in, with and under the bread and wine to nourish the faith of Christians and the church. Lutherans believe they share in a sacred meal that spans all time and space. At Communion, Lutherans commune with the saints who have gone before us and with other Christians around the globe who gather at our Lord’s table. Lutherans believe that the uncontainable presence, grace, love, forgiveness and mercy of Christ come to us in simple bread and wine.

The Episcopal Church, like the Reformed and Lutheran Churches, also believe that Communion is much more than a symbolic remembrance. Episcopalians believe in the real presence, meaning that the risen Christ is “really present” with us in the sacrament of Communion. Physical things, like bread, wine, water, oil, etc… become the vehicles God uses to share with us the power and presence of Jesus Christ, through the workings of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the risen Christ in the Eucharist is ultimately an inexhaustible mystery that the Church can never fully explain in words or philosophical ideologies.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,594
1,897
113
#4
My recommendation would not be to consider the denomination, but whether or not it teaches the Circumcision of Christ. The reason for this is because if they [do], they will likely teach the three primary concepts below:

1) The Purpose of Christ
2) The Work of Christ
3) The Effect of Christ

The above three concepts are absolutely critical in understanding the True Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you were able to clearly explain these three concepts with a LOT of material to back it up, you will likely feel very, very comfortable talking to others about the Gospel of Christ. You would lose your fear and trepidation. Why? Because the Gospel would be crystal clear in your mind and you will, likely for the first time, have no doubts on what you believe and why you believe (regarding the Gospel).

Most churches have an online "What We Believe" section of their webpage. The key words that I would look for are Spiritual Circumcision and the referencing of Abraham as our Father of Faith. Good luck . . . I haven't found a church that teaches these things (yet.)
 

arthurfleminger

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2021
1,405
771
113
#6
The Presbyterians, Reformed, Lutherans, and Episcopalians are similar in that they all allow infant baptism.
Also, all four are similar as they view Scripture as the Word of God and the final authority of their faith. But each has their own governing body; Presbyterians/Presbytery, Reformed/Consistery, Lutherans/Congregational Council, and Episcopals/General Convention. Scripture and the Governing body of each Church determines the beliefs of each Church.
 

Isaskar

Active member
Nov 13, 2021
139
55
28
#7
Any church part of the "world council of churches" is part of the ecumenical satanic movement. I saw in my country jews muslims and "christians" pray together for Ukraine. Couldn't be more unequally yoked with unbelievers if they tried.

The presbytarian apostate-church is also very pro-LGBT, atleast in the USA
 

arthurfleminger

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2021
1,405
771
113
#8
Any church part of the "world council of churches" is part of the ecumenical satanic movement. I saw in my country jews muslims and "christians" pray together for Ukraine. Couldn't be more unequally yoked with unbelievers if they tried.

The presbytarian apostate-church is also very pro-LGBT, atleast in the USA

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are 350 member Christian Churches that comprise the 'World Council of Churches'. And you're saying they are all part of a Satanic movement. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Isaskar

Active member
Nov 13, 2021
139
55
28
#9
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are 350 member Christian Churches that comprise the 'World Council of Churches'. And you're saying they are all part of a Satanic movement. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yup, the mere fact that there is a thing such as the WORLD COUNCIL should have people worried. Then take a look at the people they are working with, unashamed they work with the vatican, some churches go so far as to work with muslims. It is an absolute disgrace.
 

arthurfleminger

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2021
1,405
771
113
#10
Yup, the mere fact that there is a thing such as the WORLD COUNCIL should have people worried. Then take a look at the people they are working with, unashamed they work with the vatican, some churches go so far as to work with muslims. It is an absolute disgrace.
I'm not 100% familiar with the World Council of churches. But a brief review on line, it seems that their primary objective is to unite all Christians. Wasn't that one of Jesus' objectives? Didn't He pray that all His followers be one, united with each other?
 

arthurfleminger

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2021
1,405
771
113
#11
Yes indeed, Jesus’ Prayer for Unity. "That they may be one." These words were spoken by Jesus Christ the night before He died, as He prayed for us to His Heavenly Father.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
7,594
3,180
113
#12
Is there a difference between Presbyterian and Reformed?
They both practice closed communion. You have to go through a whole song and dance and get the approval of the leadership to even participate in the Lord's supper.
 

Isaskar

Active member
Nov 13, 2021
139
55
28
#13
I'm not 100% familiar with the World Council of churches. But a brief review on line, it seems that their primary objective is to unite all Christians. Wasn't that one of Jesus' objectives? Didn't He pray that all His followers be one, united with each other?
You cannot be united with something that is false. How can you unite with a catholic? How can you unite with a carnival prosperity preacher?
 
Mar 20, 2022
33
6
8
#14
You cannot be united with something that is false. How can you unite with a catholic? How can you unite with a carnival prosperity preacher?
I like a man who isn't afraid to share his opinion.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,509
12,955
113
#15
I'm not 100% familiar with the World Council of churches. But a brief review on line, it seems that their primary objective is to unite all Christians. Wasn't that one of Jesus' objectives? Didn't He pray that all His followers be one, united with each other?
The WCC promotes a bogus unity. There is a lot of apostasy within many of those church groups. And Light and Darkness cannot have fellowship with each other.

Getting back to Presbyterian and Reformed, what unites them is Reformed Theology (or what is known as Five Point Calvinism). But even among Presbyterians there is a whole gamut of churches from liberal to conservative. Possibly the same is true for Reformed.