John,

Although this might not completely answer your questions, the following is an outline portion from my church's New Members Class.

It doesn't include the history behind the ARP and other smaller Presbyterian denoms, neither Machen nor the OPC. Also not mentioned is the merger between the PCUSA and PCUS in the 1980s. I'm sure there might be some who may want to quibble with it, but I think overall it gives a fair representation.

Quote
6. Distinctives of the Presbyterian Church

1. History

A. The theology and form of government is found in Scripture

B. The gathering of this theology and form of government into one system is most clearly seen in the work of John Calvin (1509 – 1564) during the Reformation.

i. Although the influence of Calvinistic or Reformed theology was great, of special importance in the history of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is the impact of Calvinism upon England – as seen in the Puritans (who sought to purify the Church of England), and the Pilgrims (who were separatists) – and upon Scotland – through John Knox. Someone has said that American Presbyterianism is the child of Scottish Presbyterianism and English Puritanism.

C. A brief history of the Presbyterian Church in America

1. 1706 – The Presbytery of Philadelphia was established through the efforts of Francis Makemie (1658 – 1708)

2. 1837 – There was a split resulting in the New School (liberal) and the Old School (conservative) Presbyterian Churches.

3. 1857 – The New School Presbyterian Church split at the Mason-Dixon Line.

4. 1861 – The Old School Presbyterian Church divided at the Mason-Dixon Line, and the southern half became the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States.

5. 1864 – The southern halves of the New School and the Old School (the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States) Presbyterian Churches merge. After the war it was named the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS).

6. 1870 – The northern halves of the Old and New School Presbyterian Churches unite to form the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PCUSA)

7. 1973 – The Presbyterian Church in America was formed

II. Government
A. Presbyterian government is government by elders (Presbyterian comes from the greek “presbuteros”, meaning elder) in a graded system of courts. The Session is the elders of the local church, the presbytery is composed of elders from a district, and the general assembly is made up of elders from the whole denomination.

1. Presbyterian government is a representative democracy. Elders are elected by the congregation, but are not instructed delegates. They should votes as led by the Lord.

a. Other forms of church government:

1). Episcopal
- where government is in the hands of one man
- a bishop

2). Congregational
- which is more of a pure democracy
- with decisions being made by the local congregation.
III. Theology

A. The Presbyterian church’s Calvinistic theology emphasizes the sovereignty of God without neglecting the responsibility of man.

1. This is seen in the scriptural teaching on:

a. Election
b. Predestination
c. Foreknowledge
d. Providence
e. Salvation by grace alone
f. Preservation or perseverance of the saints

Last edited by John_C; Sat Dec 18, 2004 10:52 AM.
John Chaney

"having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith . . ." Colossians 2:7