1. Knowledge Base
  2. Sacred Worship
  3. Differences in Major Religions

Presbyterians

Major differences:

  1. Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith and conduct....stress the importance of scholarship re. Scriptures
  2. Only two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper {Holy Communion}
  3. Eucharist...Jesus is spiritually present in the elements; physical elements do not change; Jesus is genuinely present there
  4. Justification by grace through faith
  5. Church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike
  6. There are no bishops but rather the office of elder...commissioned non-clergy elected by the congregation who take part in local pastoral care and decision-making at all levels
  7. Mary is not the mediator between man and God; she is honored as God-bearer and model for the Christian
  8. Deny Purgatory
  9. Believe in Predestination
  10. Women can be ordained
  11. Variety of positions on eschatology

They believe in:

  1. Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, Westminster Confession
  2. Trinity
  3. Christ is truly human and fully God
  4. Strong commitment to missionary activity

Catechesis required:

  1. Ecclesiology including:
    • justification by faith and good works
    • church as Body of Christ
    • church as community
    • church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic
    • hierarchical structure of the Church ... and authority in the Church
    • infallibility
    • Communion of Saints, Mary and the Saints
  2. Eucharistic theology - our understanding of
    • Transubstantiation
    • Real Presence
    • Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
  3. Holy Orders and Marriage and other sacraments