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What is a Presbyterian?

erin74

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Knight said:
I'm not presbyterian but this site should answer your questions...

www.pca.org

Ok that's the final straw - I'm becoming a presbyterian.

This cracked me up so much I nearly woke up the kids!
note to self - how do you know if you nearly woke someone up???
 
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Terri

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Knight said:
I'm not presbyterian but this site should answer your questions...

www.pca.org


attachment.php


Elderone said:
Not all.......some of us drive Jaguars..

:cool:



Seriously can anyone tell me if there is any major differences between the Presbyterians and the Southern Baptists other than the baby baptising? I am considering going to a Presbyterian church to check it out and would like to know what to expect. I know I could read the website, but would prefer a short, simple answer from someone that knows both churches.
 
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Elderone

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Terri said:
Seriously can anyone tell me if there is any major differences between the Presbyterians and the Southern Baptists other than the baby baptising? I am considering going to a Presbyterian church to check it out and would like to know what to expect. I know I could read the website, but would prefer a short, simple answer from someone that knows both churches.

The basic difference between Presbyterians and "most" if not all Baptists, is the form of government. Presbyterians elect Elders to handle the congregations business. The Baptists, or at least the one congregation I am familure with, have congregational meetings to vote on the business.

They both have similar problems, if the Presbyterians elect Elders that are ignorant of what the Bible teaches the congregation suffers, and in the case of the Presbyterian Church (USA) the denomination allows, or does things that are most definately not Biblical. The Baptists allow everyone to vote regardless of their Biblical understanding. Again not good.

Reading a churches website is not very informative as they, very often, say things they really do not believe or adhere to. Sad but true.

It is best to check out a congregation and especially the minister first hand. Being a Reformed Presbyterian I do NOT believe it is Biblical for women to be in positions of Pastor or elected "ordained" officers. The PCA church we attended and left, for other reasons, have women Deacons but they are NOT ordained. If I were visiting a church which had women in those positions I would not go back.

Some questions to ask:

Do you believe the entire Bible is the Word of God? If it takes more than 2 seconds for him to answer yes, Don't go back.

Do they believe and preach the 5 Solas, Bible alone (Sola Scriptura), Grace Alone (Sola Gratia), Christ Alone (Sola Christo), Faith Alone (Sola Fide), Glory to God Alone (Sola Deo Gloria).

There are others but that should be a start.

I hope this is of some help.
 
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Hortysir

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NOW we're getting somewhere!!!!
:)
The Statement of faith I read didn't appear any different than others....
"inspired"
"Trinity"
etc....

Why did ya'll choose this church over Baptist or COG?

(are there charismatic Presbyterians?)

P.S.
Thanks, so far and in advance!
:)
 
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cwolf20

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I was one and my church never told me.

Hortysir said:
Didn't want to do a web-search...too many anti-sites for every religion.
Wanted to get my info straight from the source.
Statement of faith?
Basic principles and practices?
All input is craved!!!!
 
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Terri

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Elderone said:
The basic difference between Presbyterians and "most" if not all Baptists, is the form of government. Presbyterians elect Elders to handle the congregations business. The Baptists, or at least the one congregation I am familure with, have congregational meetings to vote on the business.

They both have similar problems, if the Presbyterians elect Elders that are ignorant of what the Bible teaches the congregation suffers, and in the case of the Presbyterian Church (USA) the denomination allows, or does things that are most definately not Biblical. The Baptists allow everyone to vote regardless of their Biblical understanding. Again not good.

Reading a churches website is not very informative as they, very often, say things they really do not believe or adhere to. Sad but true.

It is best to check out a congregation and especially the minister first hand. Being a Reformed Presbyterian I do NOT believe it is Biblical for women to be in positions of Pastor or elected "ordained" officers. The PCA church we attended and left, for other reasons, have women Deacons but they are NOT ordained. If I were visiting a church which had women in those positions I would not go back.

Some questions to ask:

Do you believe the entire Bible is the Word of God? If it takes more than 2 seconds for him to answer yes, Don't go back.

Do they believe and preach the 5 Solas, Bible alone (Sola Scriptura), Grace Alone (Sola Gratia), Christ Alone (Sola Christo), Faith Alone (Sola Fide), Glory to God Alone (Sola Deo Gloria).

There are others but that should be a start.

I hope this is of some help.

Thank you Elderone. It is of help! :hug: That gives me some things to think about and some good questions to ask.

I'm as conservative as you are about women in certain leadership positions. Coming from a Southern Baptist background, I never even thought of that as something that needed to be considered. But, now I know!

I noticed from the website of the church that I am considering that they have a class that you take before you become a member. But, you can take the class even if your not planning on becoming a member. I think perhaps I should take the course the next time it comes up, God willing. Perhaps that will help me to decide if I want to become a member.
 
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