The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Who can teach in a Presbyterian church?

Yes, there is definitely "a great weight of historical precedence and tradition to reckon with." yet that in itself is not infallible. Martin Luther contended with the far longer historical tradition of the Roman State Church and showed it was in gross error. I have had a number of "go arounds" with the "magisterium" of some Dutch Reformed churches and when asked the question as to their warrant for bifurcating the Eldership, their answer invariably was (based upon the Heidelberg Catechism and/or Belgic Confession) The offices in the church are formed to that owned by Christ himself; Prophet, Priest and King. Thus, the teaching/preaching elders equates with that of Prophet, the ruling elders equate with that of King and the deacons equate with that of Priest. However, when asked if they could show me the BIBLICAL evidence to support that tradition, none could do so. I was told to "close the Book because there is far more to all this" and I needed to simply accept the tradition and not make trouble by asking such questions.

So, there are some good traditions which can be justified from Scripture, which is the sole and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. And, there are some bad traditions, which cannot be substantiated from Scripture and should be abandoned. "We've always done it this way!" is no defense of any particular practice or tradition. We should be very thankful that Martin Luther, by God's grace, stood firmly against the errors of Rome and stood upon the inspired written Word of God and not tradition in his case. Else, we would all be praying "Hail Mary" and "Our Father" to saints and Mother Mary instead of going directly to God through Christ. And none of us would ever experience the joy of being declared justified of ALL our sins, clothed in the perfect righteousness of Christ and adopted as the true children of God who have been given eternal life.