Presbyterianism
A view held among orthodox Christians
A form of church government in which each congregation is ruled by a session of elders, and congregations are joined under higher courts of elders (presbyteries and assemblies) for mutual accountability.
Also called: Presbyterian government, Presbyterian polity, presbyterian church government, presbytery, presbyteries, general assembly
What it means
Presbyterian government takes its name from the Greek word for elder. Each congregation elects elders, who together form a session that shepherds and governs it. Teaching and ruling elders from many congregations meet as a presbytery, and presbyteries send elders to a synod or general assembly. These broader courts ordain ministers, hear appeals, and settle questions of doctrine and discipline that affect the churches together.
Presbyterians find this pattern in Acts 15, where the apostles and elders met in Jerusalem to decide a question troubling the church at Antioch, and their decision was delivered to the churches. They also note that the church in a city, with many house congregations, is spoken of as one church with its elders.
Its strength is accountability beyond the local church: a member or officer wronged by a session can appeal, and a congregation drifting into error can be corrected. This is the government set out in the Westminster Standards and practised by Presbyterian and many continental Reformed churches.
In Scripture
Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem about the question.
The apostles and elders met together to consider the matter.
The decisions reached by the apostles and elders were delivered to the churches to keep.
Timothy's gift was confirmed when the council of elders laid hands on him.
The church at Ephesus was led by its elders together.
Where it comes up
Confessions: WCF 30.1; WCF 31.1; WCF 31.2
On this site: Church government
Related terms
ElderHistoric orthodoxy
A qualified man called by the church to shepherd, teach, and govern a congregation; the New Testament also calls the office overseer, bishop, or pastor.
Elder-led congregationalismA view held among orthodox Christians
A form of church government in which a plurality of elders leads each self-governing congregation, while the members together decide matters such as membership, discipline, and the choice of officers.
Episcopal polityA view held among orthodox Christians
A form of church government in which bishops, set over many congregations and their clergy, hold the chief authority, usually with priests or presbyters and deacons beneath them.