Page 482 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

PRESBYTERIAN

granted autonomy to the local assembly. Unlike the King James Bible: In carrying on this preaching ministry
liberal Presbyterian denominations, each church in the the Free Presbyterian Church has, throughout its
BPC owns its own property and calls its own pastor. In history, used the Authorized (often called the ‘King
contrast to this, the old-line Presbyterian denomination James’) Version of the Scriptures. We wish to avoid the
“entered suits in the civil courts against scores of confusion that arises from the use of many different
churches that had withdrawn, and in almost every translations and paraphrases in church services. We
believe the Authorized Version is unrivaled as a
instance the defending local church lost its property to translation of the Scriptures and that it reflects the
the denomination. This was in spite of the fact that in authentic, historic Hebrew and Greek texts that God
most cases the local churches had purchased their ‘immediately inspired, and by His singular care and
prope rty with no financial aid from the providence kept pure in all ages’ (Westminster
denomination” (David O. Beale, In Pursuit of Purity, p. Confession of Faith, I.8).
319). Baptism: Historically, the Reformed churches along
The FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH has a similar with the Lutheran, Episcopal. Congregational, and
heritage. They stand firmly in the old Presbyterian faith, Methodist churches have accepted that pouring,
are strictly separated from the apostasy of the hour, hold sprinkling, and dipping are all valid modes of baptism.
to the Authorized English Bible, and exercise autonomy They have also believed that baptism should be
administered to believers and to their children because
of the local assembly. The Free Presbyterians were their children are included in God’s covenant with His
founded in 1951 in Northern Ireland. The fiery people. ... Over against this view, Baptists and
fundamental Presbyterian Ian Paisley is identified with Anabaptists have argued that baptism must follow a
the Free Presbyterians. There are 17 of these personal profession of faith. ... On the mode of
congregations in North America and roughly 100 in the baptism, Baptists insist that only immersion is
world. The following is from Separated Unto the Gospel, acceptable ... The Free Presbyterian Church ... hereby
a book published by the Free Presbyterians to explain affirms that each member of the Free Presbyterian
their position. We reprint these portions especially to Church shall have liberty to decide for himself which
show the contrast between old-line Presbyterianism and course to adopt on these controverted issues ...
the modern apostate Presbyterianism represented by the Moral Standards: We believe there are guiding truths in
Presbyterian Church USA. We have added headings to God’s Word that not only authorize the kind of
the paragraphs quoted: standards we have adopted, but necessitate them. ...
Gambling is the expression of covetousness. [is]
Separated from Ecumenism: The Free in our name abstinence from the nonmedicinal drinking of
refers to our total dissociation from the major alcohol. ... Our country is sinking in an ocean of
Presbyterian denominations of the world, which have alcohol. ... no divorced person or one married to a
largely repudiated the historic Christian faith. We have divorced person may be elected to the office of deacon
no affiliation with the World Council of Churches or or elder. In addition, no Free Presbyterian church may
any of its international, national, or local be used for a marriage service involving a divorced
organizations. Thus Free speaks of our liberty to stand person, nor may any Free Presbyterian minister
without compromise for Christ in a day of apostasy. officiate at such a marriage.
Protestant: The church [is] unashamedly Protestant. Head Covering: The New Testament insists that it [head
Throughout its history it has stood opposed to the covering in public worship] is required for women and
ecumenical movement’s efforts to promote union with banned for men. In this age of so-called sexual equality
the Church of Rome, because that church still holds to —a misnomer for the philosophy of radical feminism
every dogma that caused the Reformation in the first and anti-Christian humanism—this may seem strange.
place. Election and Evangelism: We have no time for a dead,
Reformed Theology: In theology the church is intellectual Calvinism that refuses to offer Christ freely
Reformed. It stands foursquare in the great Geneva to sinners with the assurance that ‘whosoever shall call
tradition of Calvin, Knox, the English and American upon the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Ro. 10:13).
Puritans ... The church has always tied its Calvinism to Some of the greatest revival preachers in history have
evangelism. It is a prayer church with a burden for the been strong asserters of God’s sovereignty in salvation,
salvation of sinners. Its growth has been through men like John Bunyan, Jonathan Edwards, Asahel
unremitting evangelistic outreach, preaching the Nettleton, George Whitefield, Robert Murray
gospel ‘in season, out of season.’ McCheyne, and Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Women Preachers: A burning question for many today THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH U.S.A. (PC-USA) is the
is whether or not women may be ordained to the largest Presbyterian denomination in America, with
ministry of the church. A woman is not permitted a roughly 3,000,000 members in 11,500 churches. It was
pastoral or governmental position over men in a New formed in 1983 from a merger of the United
Testament church. No ministry that places her in such
a position is open to her. Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the Presbyterian

482 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity