Presbyterianism

First Presbyterian Church Manteno is a local congregation of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. a branch of the Christian Church with its roots in the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century.

Presbyterianism came to America early in its history largely through the immigration of British and Scots Irish Presbyterian settlers and a group was worshipping as early as 1611 in Virginia. Presbyterianism has two firm and deep roots. One is based on the teachings of John Calvin (1509-64) one of the leaders in the Protestant Reformation. The other is based on the Greek biblical term “Presbuteros” elder rule based on the system of church government found in the early apostolic church.

The leaders of the Protestant Reformation followed Martin Luther in what was to him a revolutionary discovery that “the righteousness of God is the righteousness by which we are made righteous” (LW25, P151) which led to the formulation of two basic principles “solo fide” “faith alone” and “sola scriptura” “scripture alone.”

John Calvin emphasized the sovereignty of God in all aspects of God’s relationship to mankind and articulated these principles that salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ alone and not by works or mediation of the Church. The centrality of scripture as God’s word is the infallible rule of faith and practice for Christ’s church not tradition is the standard by which all other teachings were to be judged.

He also emphasized the work of the Holy Spirit in calling and regenerating the hearts of men and women separated from God by their sinful nature reconciling them to himself through faith in Christ alone. This calling is also a call to serve God in His Church and in the world as salt and light or what is called the – “cultural mandate” to be active agents for God. “In the world but not of the world."

The Presbyterian form of government is neither a hierarchical nor democratic but rather a representative form which is reflected in our civil government. The local church elects a group of elders to rule over them as a session in accordance with scriptural principles laid out in the churches confessions and form of government. Each church is a member of a Presbytery, a local group of churches who in turn are members of a synod covering a regional group of Presbyteries and the whole church sends representatives to a biennial national meeting called a General Assembly.

In practical terms, being a Presbyterian means that we are in the hands of a sovereign loving God who sent his son Jesus Christ to pay the ultimate price to reconcile all those who have accepted Him as their Savior and Lord through faith in Him alone. This means from this secure position we can worship Him and serve Him wholeheartedly wherever He calls us without fear or trepidation.

It also means that we are connected to a very large number of other Presbyterians throughout the nation enabling us to have a much greater impact on the society we live in on a national and international level and gives us opportunities to serve Christ and have fellowship with His people out with our local church and community.