Presbyterian

Presbyterian is a term in religion to describe church governance. It has a graded system of representative ecclesiastical bodies (such as presbyteries, sessions, and a general assembly) that have legislative and judicial powers. It stands midway between the "congregational" system (in which the local churches are all powerful, as in the Baptist churches), and episcopal systems, in which the church is ruled by bishops (as in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Methodist churches).

Presbyterian forms are closely associated with the Church of Scotland which, under John Knox, introduced them in the Scottish Reformation in the 16th century.

Presbyterian churches were set up by Scots throughout the British Empire, and have been characterized by numerous schisms and reunions.

See also

• Church of Scotland

External Links

• W.H. Roberts, "Presbyterians" in New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol 9 (1911)