|
|
If one desires to know the truth on any given subject, he will use all available resources to make
a fair evaluation of that particular subject. Accordingly, the material that follows is presented
as a simple aide to those desiring to evaluate the Presbyterian Church, especially in light of the
Scriptures. It is not given in a haughty or unkind spirit, but one of love and concern. In fact,
this writer encourages the reader to make the same kind of evaluation of the church of Christ. The
reason? The Scriptures repeatedly call on man to be vigilant in his pursuit and acceptance of
beliefs. Jesus warned, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matt. 7:15). He also stated, "But in vain they do
worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matt. 15:9). Such passages bring
to mind some very important points:
When one compares the establishment of the church described in the New Testament to the establishment of the Presbyterian Church, he quickly discovers that certain facts mar the denomination under consideration. The church revealed on the pages of the Bible was founded by God's Son (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28) in the city of Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after Jesus' resurrection (Acts 2). By its own admission, the Presbyterian Church was founded centuries later by mere men. The Presbyterian Church, which exists today in a number of doctrinally distinct divisions — Cumberland Presbyterian, Presbyterian U.S.A., Presbyterian Church in America, Orthodox Presbyterian, etc. — traces its origin back to the Protestant Reformation. During this significant juncture in time, two men arose who left their marks on church history and paved the way to Presbyterianism. One of these men was John Calvin, and the other was John Knox. John Calvin was born in 1509 to Roman Catholic parents in Noyon, France. Through his study of the New Testament, he gave up Roman Catholicism and polished a system of beliefs that eventually became known as "Calvinism." This system, embodied in his work, The Institutes of the Christian Religion, became the cornerstone of Presbyterianism. Although he never actually founded a sect, Calvin's theology was directly responsible the formation of the Reformed, Huegnot, and Presbyterian churches. John Knox, the second reformer directly associated with the founding of the Presbyterian Church, was born in Haddington, Scotland sometime around 1513. Attracted by the protestant preaching of George Wishart, Knox forsook the post of Catholic priest and became a stalwart figure in the reformation. In the midst of numerous trials brought on by his unorthodox beliefs and proclamations, Knox took the teachings of John Calvin into his native land of Scotland, began establishing Presbyterian churches throughout the country, and even led the Scottish Parliament to adopt a confession of faith based on the doctrines of Calvin. These influences of Knox eventually gave way to the issuing of the Westminster Confession of Faith in 1648, the doctrinal standard of most Presbyterian churches to this day. Certainly, one should easily see the great contrast between the beginning of the New Testament church and the beginning of the Presbyterian Church. While Calvin and Knox possessed good courage, great intellect, and outstanding abilities, and though their motives were no doubt noble, they pale in comparison to the sinless Son of God who possesses God-given authority (Matt. 28:18) and who shed His innocent blood to purchase His church (Acts 20:28). Additionally, the church Jesus built perfectly fulfilled Old Testament prophesies concerning the time and place of its origin. Passages like Isaiah 2:2-3 and Daniel 2:44 fortold that Christ's church would come into existence in the city of Jerusalem during the days of the Roman kings. Acts 2 pictures the precise fulfillment of these prophesies (A.D. 33 in Jerusalem), some 1500 years before the Presbyterian Church ever came into being! When one honestly examines the Presbyterian Chruch's points of origin in light of the Scriptures, he must confess that the denomination under consideration is blemished, to say the least. While numerous doctrinal points of Presbyterianism fall in line with the teachings of Jesus, many of its tenets stand in stark contrast to God's Word. Such beliefs place the adherents thereof in grave spiritual danger. Consider for yourself some of the major doctrinal errors of Presbyterianiasm. First, compare the five main points of Calvinism — the cornerstone of the Presbyterian Church — with the Bible. It is important to note that not every Presbyterian Church holds to all of the following tenets, though all hold to some and most hold to the majority of these beliefs. Presbyterianism teaches that the guilt of Adam's original sin is passed on to succeeding generations at birth and, thus, man is so depraved that he cannot respond to God without direct supernatural intervention. However, the Bible plainly declares that "the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son." (Ezek. 18:20). Additionally, the Scriptures use children as examples of purity and innocence (cf. Matt. 18:3; 19:14), not depraved sinful beings. Presbyterianism proclaims that God arbitrarily decreed from eternity which individuals would be lost and which ones would gbe saved. In other words, if one is elected to damnation, he could never be saved even if he greatly desired to be. Similarly, if one one cared nothing for God or heaven, if elected to salvation, his actions and attitude would not matter because God would save him anyway. This attitude makes God a respector of persons, even though the Scriptures say He is not (Acts 10:34-35). Likewise, this belief ignores passages such as 2 Corinthians 5:10 which teach that man will be judged according to his works. This doctrine of Presbyterianism teaches that Christ died only for those arbitrarily elected to salvation. This is another belief that totally ignores the Bible. Since god desires all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4) and He is "not willing that any should perish" (2 Pet. 3:9), He sent His Son into the world, Who in turn "died for all" (2 Cor. 5:14). 1 John 2:2 is quite clear: "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Closely linked with the other points of Calvinism, this portion of Presbyterianism teaches that the Holy Spirit comes upon those chosen for salvation and directly applies Calvary's redeeming work to their souls. Whereas unconditional election transpired before the creation of the world, this miraculous work of the Spirit takes place in the lifetime of the elected one. Even though this doctrine claims that the Holy Spirit cannot be resisted, Stephen made the following comment to some men in the first century: "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in hear and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye." (Acts 7:51). This Presbyterian doctrine proclaims that the elect can never do anything to jeopardize their salvation. According to its adherents, just as the Holy Spirit directly moved upon them to save them, so God directly enables the elect to persevere to the end. This belief ignores clear passages such as Galatians 5:4: "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosever of you are justified by the law; yea are fallen from grace." The Bible definitely teaches that children of God can so act as to be finally lost when life on earth is over (cf. 1 Cor. 9:27; Heb 3:12; 2 Pet. 2:20-22). In addition to these basic doctrines of Calvinism, there are many other false doctrines which the Presbyterian Church holds. One is infant baptism. This practice is said to demonstrate the church's commitment to "nurture the child in faith." A number of problems arise when this practice is compared to the baptism of the New Testament. First, Presbyterian infant baptism is actually sprinkling, for which there is no authority in the gospel. Romans 6:3-4 pictures baptism as a burial, and the very word from which baptism is translated means "immersion." A second problem with this practice has to do with the lack of faith, repentance, and confession preceding infant baptism. Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, and Acts 8:36-38 show how each of these things precede baptism. Of course, infants do not have the capacity of believing in Christ, they have no sin of which to repent, and they do not have the ability to confess Christ. Infants and young children are innocent and pure (cf. Matt. 18:3; 19:14), thus baptism, which always stands between the sinner and salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38,22:16; and Rom. 6:3-4), is unnecesary. Among other false practices and beliefs held by some — not all — Presbyterian churches are the appointment of female elders (one of the qualifications of elders in the New Testament is to be "the husband of one wife" — 1 Tim. 3:2), denying the infallibility of the Bible, and claiming that belief in Christ's atoning work and bodily resurrection should make no difference concerning one's good standing in the church. As previously noted, the Scriptures proclaim that the beliefs to which a person holds matter to God. Inspiration repeatedly warns against false teachers and false doctrines, constantly calling on man to "prove all things" and to "hold fast that which is good" (1 Thes. 5:21). The beliefs and practices noted above are not inconsequential. Holding to such positions or blindly following those who do, places one's soul in jeopardy! When one honestly and openly examines these portions of Presbyterian history and dogma, he reaches a number of vital verdicts:
Dear reader, what shall you do with the evidence? God created you with the ability to reason and He provided you with His Word. He gives you the opportunity to examine the facts and calls on you to make decisions. We pray that you will be honest with this material, with God's Word, and with yourself. |