The Presbyterian Church originated in the mind of man although from genuine motives I would assume and did not originate from God.
John Knox is recognize as founding the Presbyterian church. Born around 1513 in Haddington Scotland, He later became a Catholic priest. Attracted by the protestant preaching of George Wishart he gave up the position of a Catholic priest and became a strong figure in the reformation movement.
Influenced by the teaching of John Calvins system of beliefs known as Calvinism he is credited with developing the Presbyterian church in Scotland based primarily on his teachings. John Calvins rose to his position as a leader in the reformation movement in the 16th century. The teachings he taught known as Calvinism became the cornerstone of Presbyterianism. John Knox began establishing Presbyterian churches in his native land of Scotland around 1560.
Can we give a church any name we choose? The answer is no.
Colossians 1:18 tells us what the name should be, the last part of the verse:
“that in all things he might have the preeminence”, Colossians 1:18 (KJV) preeminence means first place, the NASB explains it better.
“might have first place in everything”, Colossians 1:18 (NASB)
- verse 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.
If Christ is to have first place in every thing that means the name of the church should be in his name. The word Presbyterian is not found in the New Testament. There is a great contrast between the beginning of the New Testament church and the beginning of the Presbyterian Church.
The beginning of the New Testament church, giving a number of years, going back to 56 AD, Acts 2:38. Then we have the beginning of the Presbyterian Church, 1560.
There are nine Presbyterian church denominations in the United States, three are major denominations.
- The United Presbyterian Church in the USA, by far the largest.
- The Southern Presbyterian Church, just under a million members.
- the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, around 80 thousand.
Spending time studying the articles under the various categories will give you an insight into the teachings of the New Testament. Forward articles are displayed just under each categories given viewers help on determining which article they want to read.