Presbyterianism comes out of the Church of Scotland, which subscribes to traditional Reformed doctrines as espoused by John Calvin and John Knox. The name reflects the govermental organization of the church, and comes from the word "presbyter" which means elder.
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John Calvin was a leader of the Reformation who lived and worked in Geneva, Switzerland. He held a "School for Reformed Theology" there, and John Knox (from Scotland) was one of his pupils. The churches in Geneva and many of those in Europe that were developed from Calvin and his pupils can be considered to be Presbyterian, although they may not have had that word in their name. John Knox brought Calvin's teachings back to Scotland.
Actually, Presbyterian refers to the way the church is governed - by elected representatives (elders or presbyters) from the congregation. Reformed refers to the set of doctrines that the church follows, and indicates that the church follows the teachings originating from John Calvin. Thus it is possible to have a "Reformed Baptist Church" that is not governed in the Presbyterian manner. Presbyterian churches are almost always Reformed in doctrine.
Presbyterianism is an "umbrella" denomination of a Refomed Protestant Christian body. Along with several other denominations, it has its roots from the teachings of John Calvin. The Presbyterian Church in America and Canada and f course Scotland has its roots from John Knox of Scotland as the founder of Presbyterianism ( Church of Scotland) There are a number of groups (denominations) who call themselves Presbyterian who have varying views of Christianity and how it is worked out in life. Here are a few of them: Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Church of Scotland Cumberland Presbyterian Church Evangelical Presbyterian Church Orthodox Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Church in America Presbyterian Church in Canada Presbyterian Church of Ireland Presbyterian Church of New Zealand Presbyterian Church USA Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America
A Scottish Minister and leader of the Protestant Reformation, John Knox, is considered the founder of the Presbyterian Church. A "firebrand" preacher, He was exiled under Mary Tudor. He left for France, then going to Geneva where he met John Calvin, who so influenced Knox, that he brought the Presbyterian form of government to the church and Calvinism to its doctrinal matters.
Catholic Presbyterian Church was created in 1842.
Richwood Presbyterian Church was created in 1834.
The founder of the Presbyterian church, John Gresham Machen is known as the father of American Presbyterianism.
Presbyterian
The Presbyterian church does have its foundations in Scotland. Its ancestry can be traced back to around 1560, and its founder is considered to be John Knox, a Scottish-born preacher who studied with John Calvin in Switzerland, then brought Calvin's teachings back to Scotland, establishing a church based on these teachings.
Presbyterian Church in Canada was created in 1875.
Concord Presbyterian Church was created in 1818.
Lynchburg Presbyterian Church was created in 1855.
Pelzer Presbyterian Church was created in 1896.
Peachtree Presbyterian Church was created in 1910.