This is a short article I am writing for our new church newsletter. Those of you who have the time, please read and critique. Let me know what you think. 
What is a Presbyterian? What comes to mind when you hear that word (other than a name that is difficult to spell!)? It might surprise you to know that it is a word that is both biblical and historical in nature.
Presbyterian is biblical in that it refers to a form of church government in which the overseeing (or the “shepherding”) is done by elders. In fact, “Presbyterian” comes from a Greek work that simply means “elder.” When the Council of Jerusalem is called in Acts 15, those who attend are apostles and elders (Acts 15:6). After spending considerable time in the city, Paul delivers a farewell address to the elders in Ephesus, warning them to watch over their flock, the church (Acts 20:17-31). Titus is instructed to appoint elders where there are churches (Titus 1:5). And Timothy was ordained to the ministry by a group of elders (literally, a “presbytery” or “body of elders”; see 1 Timothy 4:14). These elders are godly men who watch over the church and are concerned with the spiritual needs of the members, committing themselves to prayer and the word in order to lead God’s people. The name “Presbyterian” simply reflects the way God has established, through His word, the way He desires for His people to be watched, guarded, and feed.
Presbyterian is also an historical term. It is most closely associated with John Knox, the great Scottish Reformer. Knox was greatly influenced by John Calvin, including the theology which brought about the Protestant Reformation – the recovery of the gospel (“good news”) of salvation by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. When Knox returned to Scotland in 1559, he brought with him a biblical form of church government (which was dubbed “Presbyterianism”) derived from the teachings of Calvin. In 1560, with the adoption of the Scottish Confession of Faith, Presbyterianism became the official church (or “kirk”) of Scotland. Presbyterianism was further solidified nearly a century later with the Westminster Confession of Faith, completed in 1648. Presbyterians were among those who traveled to the New World and helped colonize what would become the United States. In fact, the Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church dates back to the beginning of the United States, having been established in 1782, after the end of the Revolutionary War.
So the next time someone asks you about Presbyterianism, be sure to tell them it is both biblical and historical. While it is important that a Christian denomination has its roots in history, it is even more important that it has its origin in the word of God. And Presbyterianism is the best of both worlds.
Looks good, Tim. Have you read Sean Lucas’ book “On Being Presbyterian?”
No, but thanks for the recommendation, Tom. There is MUCH more I could say, but I’m trying for brevity, as the newsletter has limited space! I’m trying to let folks see (we are distributing this to more than church folk, trying to use it as an opportunity for outreach as well — upcoming issues will focus on “Reformed” and “Associate” as well) that Presbyterian isn’t just a made up word, but has deep historical and (especially) biblical roots.
Looks good!
One typo: Third paragraph, third sentence reads “and shaped the biblical Christianity in the centuries which followed”. I think the “the” before “biblical Christianity” shouldn’t be there.
Thanks, Seth. Duly noted and fixed. Thanks for the extra pair of eyes!
Just a suggested tweak or two:
“Presbyterian is biblical in that it refers to a form of church government in which the rule (or the “shepherding”) is done by elders.”
change “rule” to “overseeing” (softening the function but also laying the foundation for a latter application of episkopos.
“Knox was greatly influenced by John Calvin, including the theology which brought about the Protestant Reformation and shaped biblical Christianity in the centuries which followed….”
I think I know what you are intending; but do you want to say that Calvin’s theology shaped Christianity? It is the Bible that shapes Christianity and the theology of Calvin is the best human articulation of it.
“In 1560, with the adoption of the Scottish Confession of Faith, Presbyterianism became the official religion of Scotland.”
The official religion of Scotland was Christianity. Presbyterianism became the official church of Scotland.
I used to get in over my head in answering the same question, addressing issues like baptism, psalm singing, Scottish history, Calvinism, etc. Then I realized that the essence of Presbyterianism is rule by Elders.
I like how you describe it in biblical and historical terms. In keeping it brief, you rightly keep the answer limited to church polity, which is what “Presbyterian” describes. You also provide the perfect cocktail-party answer (or maybe backyard cookout answer). It quickly shows the differences in denominations and opens the door for questions about theology.
Thanks for all the suggestions and remarks. Pastorvon, your suggestions are quite good and I shall implement them.
I’ve actually marked the corrections now. See how those read, PastorVon.
Brian, I thought about it later and perhaps I should have mentioned some of the distinctives. But it is hard to say so much in so little space.
I’m planning on doing future editions on “Reformed” and “Associate,” so there will be more time for further discussion in those issues.