Radio Transcript

Denominational Doctrines (07)

The Presbyterian Church

Our study of denominational doctrines continues with a look at the Presbyterian Church. Presbyterians trace their history to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. Much of what the Presbyterians believe began with the French lawyer John Calvin, who lived from the years 1509 to 1564. Calvin did much of his writing from Geneva, Switzerland. From there, the Reformed movement spread to other parts of Europe and the British Isles. Many of the early Presbyterians in America came from England, Scotland and Ireland. The first American Presbytery was organized at Philadelphia in 1706. The first General Assembly was held in the same city in 1789. The first Assembly was convened by John Witherspoon, the only minister to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Different groups within the Presbyterian Church in the United States have separated from the main body throughout time, and some of these groups have reunited. The greatest division occurred in 1861 during the American Civil War, in part over the issue of slavery. The two branches created by that division were the Presbyterian Church in the U.S., the so-called "southern branch," and the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., the so-called "northern branch." These groups were reunited in 1983 to form the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This is currently the largest Presbyterian group in this country and has its national headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. Other Presbyterian churches in the United States include: the Presbyterian Church in America, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

The Presbyterian Church, like most religious groups, does hold to some beliefs that are in agreement with the Bible. For example, the Presbyterian Church has traditionally held to a belief in the virgin birth of Christ, the vicarious death of Christ, and the bodily resurrection of Christ. The Presbyterian Church has traditionally promoted a high standard of morality among its members. The Presbyterian Church understands that local congregations are to be governed by elders.

But the Presbyterian Church also teaches a number of doctrines that are in opposition to the Bible. First, by their own admission, the Presbyterian Church is a product of the Reformation movement of the 1500’s. But Christ’s church had its beginning on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts the second chapter.

Second, the Presbyterian Church teaches Calvinism. Consider the following quote from page 36 of "The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination," by Loraine Boettner, published by The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1974. "It is almost universally admitted that God determines when, where, and under what circumstances, each individual of our race shall be born, live, and die, whether it shall be male or female, white or black, wise or foolish. God is no less sovereign in the distribution if His favors. He does what He will with His own. To some He gives riches, to others, honor, to others health, to others certain talents for music, oratory, art, finance, statesmanship, etc. Others are poor, unknown, born in dishonor, the victims of disease, and the lives of wretchedness. Some are placed in Christian lands where they receive all the benefits of the Gospel; others live and die in the darkness of heathenism. Some are brought through faith unto salvation; others are left to perish in unbelief. And to a very large extent these eternal things, which are not the result of individual choice, decide the person’s life course and eternal destiny. Both scripture and every day experience teach us that God gives to some what He withholds from others. If it be asked why He does this, or why He does not save all, the only available answer is found in the words of the Lord Jesus. "Yea, Father, for so it was well pleasing in thy sight." Only the Scripture doctrine of the fall and redemption will give us any light on what we see about us" (end of quote).

According to Calvinism, every success or failure of man is determined by God! According to Calvinism, man can do nothing to alter these events. Notice further from Boettner’s writing. "This doctrine of eternal and unconditional election has sometimes been called the "heart" of the Reformed Faith. It emphasized the sovereignty and grace of God in salvation while the Arminian view emphasized the work of faith and obedience in the man who decides to accept the offered grace. In the Calvinistic system it is God alone who chooses who are to be the heirs of heaven, those with whom He will share His riches in glory; while in the Arminian system it is, in the ultimate analysis, man who determines this – a principle somewhat lacking in humility to say the least"(end of quote).

It is said by Calvinists that those persons who teach that man has anything at all to do with his salvation denigrate the sovereignty of God and therefore are not humble! Ask a Calvinist why God saves some and does not others and the common response is, "Such information belongs to His secret counsels." It is interesting that those who cling to Calvinism all believe they are of the elect. Yet how would they know this if such information belonged to God’s secret counsels? Of course, the Calvinists teach that God tells them through some convulsion or experience. Such a doctrine makes God’s grace a horror rather than a help!

Third, the Presbyterian Church teaches that man is born totally depraved and cannot respond to God on his own, even though he is called to do so. Notice the following from Chapter Nine, item three of the Westminster Confession of Faith. "Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation: so as, a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto" (end of quote). When asked, "Would not God be unjust in requiring of man in God’s Law what man cannot do?" the answer commonly given is, "God did create man with the ability to obey but man lost that ability when Adam and Eve sinned." Really? Did Adam and Eve obey God by leaving the garden after they sinned? The Bible teaches that man can and must obey God. The writer of the book of Hebrews wrote, "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:8-9).

Fourth, the Presbyterian Church practices sprinkling or pouring, in lieu of immersion, and refers to it as baptism. Notice the following quote from Chapter Twenty-Eight, item three from the Westminster Confession of Faith. "Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but Baptism is rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon the person" (end of quote). But the Bible teaches that baptism is an immersion, or burial, in water. Notice Paul’s words to the church at Rome. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4).

Fifth, the Presbyterian Church practices infant baptism. Notice the following quote from Chapter Twenty-Eight, item four from the Westminster Confession of Faith. "Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ, but also the infants of one, or both, believing parents, are to be baptized"(end of quote).

But friends this is not what the New Testament scriptures teach about baptism. The Bible teaches that baptism must be preceded by hearing and believing the gospel. Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). Can an infant believe the gospel? The Bible teaches that baptism is to be preceded by repentance. When those present on the day of Pentecost were pricked in their hearts, they asked Peter and the other apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" they were told, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). Is it possible for an infant to repent? The Bible teaches that baptism is to be preceded by a confession of faith in Jesus (Acts 8:37). Is it possible for an infant to confess his faith in Jesus?

Sixth, baptism is seen by the Presbyterian Church as not necessary to salvation. Notice from Chapter Twenty-Eight, item five from the Westminster Confession of Faith. "Although it be a great sin to condemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated, or saved, without it: or, that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated" (end of quote).

But the Bible teaches that man cannot be saved from his sins without being baptized. Jesus said "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). Peter taught those present on the day of Pentecost that they were to be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38). Paul was told to be baptized in order to have his sins washed away (Acts 22:16). Paul later wrote that it is in baptism that we put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). Peter wrote that baptism now saves us (I Peter 3:21).

Seventh, the Presbyterian Church adheres to human creeds, such as the Westminster Confession of Faith. The Westminster Confession of Faith was produced by the Westminster Assembly that met from 1643 - 1648. The Westminster Confession of Faith was revised in 1967.

But any documents written by men, such as the Westminster Confession of Faith, are an addition to the inspired word of God and are unnecessary. The Bible teaches that the scriptures alone are sufficient to serve as man’s guide in spiritual matters. Paul wrote, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (II Timothy 3:16-17).

Eighth, the Presbyterian Church utilizes mechanical instruments of music in its worship, even though the New Testament provides no authority for doing so. God, through his written word inspired by the Holy Spirit, has revealed to man how he wants man to worship him. To the church at Ephesus Paul wrote, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19). To the church at Colosse Paul wrote, "Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16). There is not a single verse anywhere in the New Testament that provides man the authority to use mechanical instruments of music in his worship to God. Not a single verse anywhere. It simply can’t be found.

Ninth, the Presbyterian Church has a form of organization that is not found in the Bible. A local congregation of the Presbyterian Church has elders. We know this much is correct, of course, from Acts 14:23 along with Titus 1:5. Local Presbyterian Churches are then formed into a presbytery, which are then formed into synods. A General Assembly with a "stated clerk" and a "moderator" settles all matters of discipline and doctrine sent to it by lower bodies.

From all of this it can be seen that the Presbyterian Church originated, not on the day of Pentecost, but during the Reformation Movement of the 1500’s and adheres to several doctrines that are not supported by the scriptures.