So what does it mean to be presbyterian exactly?

[bluegreysky]

I know I could just "wikipedia" it but I love hearing personal testimony about stuff.

I have been kind of learning the word and learning to pursue God at my own rate here and I will visit different churches sometimes
but the one that I call "home" and spend about 85% of my worship time with is Presbyterian (and also contemporary).
Truth is, except for the denomiations that have obvious traits, I never really got what the difference was.
Like pentecostal and assembly of God will be more lively in worship and speak tongues. Southern baptist will be very strict and conservative most of the time. ok got it.
But I don't really know the diff between methodist and presbyterian and baptist and so on....

enlighten me?

 

[Esdra]

Actually that's a good question as I also think that services in the so called mainline churches are pretty interchangeable based on their church interior and worship style. . - except TEC. (although maybe an evangelical Anglican church service also might be; I've not seen one so far in the internet.)

Esdra

 

[AMR]

Actually that's a good question as I also think that services in the so called mainline churches are pretty interchangeable based on their church interior and worship style. . - except TEC. (although maybe an evangelical Anglican church service also might be; I've not seen one so far in the internet.)

Esdra

Your icon shows "Catholic". Are you Presbyterian?

 

[RINO 72]

I know I could just "wikipedia" it but I love hearing personal testimony about stuff.

I have been kind of learning the word and learning to pursue God at my own rate here and I will visit different churches sometimes
but the one that I call "home" and spend about 85% of my worship time with is Presbyterian (and also contemporary).
Truth is, except for the denomiations that have obvious traits, I never really got what the difference was.
Like pentecostal and assembly of God will be more lively in worship and speak tongues. Southern baptist will be very strict and conservative most of the time. ok got it.
But I don't really know the diff between methodist and presbyterian and baptist and so on....



enlighten me?

What do you know of reformed theology? What kind of Presbyterian church are you going to? PCA maybe PCUSA? Are you prepared to do a good bit of reading?

 

[Esdra]

Your icon shows "Catholic". Are you Presbyterian?

No I'm not. I am catholic.
I'm just interested in protesstant churches as well. And in Religion in Gerneral.

 

[AMR]

No I'm not. I am catholic.
I'm just interested in protesstant churches as well. And in Religion in Gerneral.

Please review the rules of this particular safe-haven forum. You are answering questions made to Presbyterians to answer. Unlike many other CF forums, this forum and other safe-haven forums (e.g., http://www.christianforums.com/f26/) are not open to all manner of discussion, debate, etc.

 

[Esdra]

Please review the rules of this particular safe-haven forum. You are answering questions made to Presbyterians to answer. Unlike many other CF forums, this forum and other safe-haven forums (e.g., http://www.christianforums.com/f26/) are not open to all manner of discussion, debate, etc.

I didn't answer anything. But asked another question.

 

[AMR]

I didn't answer anything. But asked another question.

Absent a question mark, am I to take your word for it?

Actually that's a good question as I also think that services in the so called mainline churches are pretty interchangeable based on their church interior and worship style. . - except TEC. (although maybe an evangelical Anglican church service also might be; I've not seen one so far in the internet.)

Esdra

In the above you are trying to wax eloquent in answer to the OP, esp. given the "that's a good question as I also..."

Again, please refresh yourself on the rules for our forum here as it will lend itself to less confusion.

 

[astein]

So what does it mean to be presbyterian exactly?

Who cares? Isn't being with God enough?

There isn't one religion that can speak against being with God alone. God is all.

 

[DocNH]

But I don't really know the diff between methodist and presbyterian and baptist and so on....


There are actually several differences. here is a brief comparison of Methodists and the RCC, which highlights many of the Methodists distinctives:
http://thirdmill.org/answers/answer.asp/file/40323

Some Baptists are like the Methodist above and other Baptists are "reformed" somewhat like Presbyterians. However, Presbyterians have some distinctions from Baptists concerning baptism, church government, and are normally less legalist with more an emphasis on grace ...

Someone had mentioned Presbys preached more Paul than Jesus - that is funny, since Paul preached Jesus (2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 1:8; ). The Presbyterian Churches I have had the opportunity to visit preach the whole Gospel ... (the whole counsel of God - Acts 20:27; see WCF)

 

[Don Maurer]

Some Baptists are like the Methodist above and other Baptists are "reformed" somewhat like Presbyterians. However, Presbyterians have some distinctions from Baptists concerning baptism, church government, and are normally less legalist with more an emphasis on grace ...

Interesting, do you see any denominations or Churches as including both Reformed Baptists and Presbyterians?

 

[silverrune]

Actually that's a good question as I also think that services in the so called mainline churches are pretty interchangeable based on their church interior and worship style. . - except TEC. (although maybe an evangelical Anglican church service also might be; I've not seen one so far in the internet.)

Esdra

Maybe posting your statement with a question mark would abate the confrontational atmosphere it seems to have called forth in some.

A non-Presbyterian replied in the "How to answer a fool" post and was well received. Don't be discouraged by what may appear to be an answer as to what it means to be Presbyterian when you're challenged here. Just rephrase.

House Rules-
All posts within this faith community must adhere to the site wide rules found here (Community Rules). In addition, if you are not a member of this faith group, you may not debate issues or teach against it's theology. You may post in fellowship. Active promotion of views contrary to the established teachings of this group will be considered off topic.

 

[AMR]

Interesting, do you see any denominations or Churches as including both Reformed Baptists and Presbyterians?

How would such a denomination practice both paedo (Presbyterian) and credo (Baptist) baptism? Would be quite the odd duck.

 

[Esdra]

I know a Church who accepts credo and paedo baptism.
The non-denominational Church Vineyard. (But I think they don't baptize infants themselves, just say, that if you convert to their Church and were baptized as an infant, you don't need to be rebaptized.)

 

[kenrapoza]

Interesting, do you see any denominations or Churches as including both Reformed Baptists and Presbyterians?

Yeah, the CREC - but beware, it is the de facto home of the Federal Vision...

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

Yeah, the CREC - but beware, it is the de facto home of the Federal Vision...

Evangelical Free (EFCA)?

 

[hedrick]

How do you not do both infant baptism and believer's baptism? Do you discipline parents who don't present infants for baptism?

The PCUSA churches I've been in normally baptize infants. However now and then we'll get a parent who prefers to wait. Or someone will transfer in from a baptist denomination and not baptize the children. It's rare, but it happens.