Presbyterians are part of a wider family. They have a family relationship with the group of churches known as Reformed churches. These churches have been around since the 16th century.
During the Protestant Reformation in Europe, which began with Martin Luther, some Christians who agreed with Luther in his criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church went on to disagree with him on other theological matters.
Those who followed these leaders became known as Reformed Christians. They wanted God's church to be reformed - to move away from unbiblical practices and to conform to what they believed the Scriptures taught. Among the most prominent Reformed theologians, John Calvin formed the basis of Presbyterian theology.
While Presbyterians differ theologically among themselves, there are distinctive theological affirmations, or ways of understanding Christian faith that have been and continue to be special emphases among Presbyterians.
What it means to be Presbyterian and Reformed:
During the Protestant Reformation in Europe, which began with Martin Luther, some Christians who agreed with Luther in his criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church went on to disagree with him on other theological matters.
Those who followed these leaders became known as Reformed Christians. They wanted God's church to be reformed - to move away from unbiblical practices and to conform to what they believed the Scriptures taught. Among the most prominent Reformed theologians, John Calvin formed the basis of Presbyterian theology.
While Presbyterians differ theologically among themselves, there are distinctive theological affirmations, or ways of understanding Christian faith that have been and continue to be special emphases among Presbyterians.
What it means to be Presbyterian and Reformed:
- We faithfully confess that God alone is Lord. God is found in the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Christian worship ascribes all praise, hope, glory and power to the triune God.
- We believe that we are saved is by faith through grace. We respond to God’s initiative. Grace is the result not of our works, but entirely of God’s actions, to which we respond with faithfulness and gratitude.
- We believe in the authority of scripture and its role in forming and informing our faith and our church. We are each responsible to God alone and consider the rights of private judgment to be universal and inalienable.
- We believe in responsible living in our communities, being good citizens, being responsible stewards of God’s creation and being generous with our gifts. Presbyterians believe in living our faith in action.
- We believe that Christian faith is best lived out in community. Christ’s ministry is our standard – One who came, “not to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28).