What's a Presbyterian?
Presbyterians
are distinctive in two major ways: they adhere to a pattern of
religious thought known as Reformed Theology and a form of government
that stresses the active, representational leadership of both ministers
and church members.
Some of John Calvin's principles of Reformed Theology remain at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are:
• the sovereignty of God
• the authority of the scripture
• justification by grace through faith
• the priesthood of all believer |
What
these principles mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout
the universe. Our knowledge of God and God's purpose for humanity comes
from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament
through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through
Jesus is God's generous gift to us and not the result of our own
accomplishments. It is everyone's job - ministers and lay people alike
- to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the
Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of
clergy and laity, men and women alike.
Denominational Information
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