What It Means to Be

Presbyterian

2009 Lenten Series

Old First Church
 What are we going to
talk about????
Our historical roots
How are we different from other
denominations?
Theology
How do we govern ourselves?
 Presbyterian
Comes from the Greek presbyteros
meaning ELDER
The early church was ruled by a council
of elders
Acts 11:30
Reformers looked to this system of
government when they were looking to
reform the church
Historical Roots
 Catholic Church
Power of Papacy
Schism (Avignon and Rome)
Monasteries
Worship in Latin
Emphasis on Saints, relics, and Mary
Bibles were being copied and other
documents were being preserved
 Theology
Catholic Theology was and still is
heavily influenced by Thomas Aquinas
who lived between 1225 and 1274
God created the world
God is perfect
God is infinite
God is immutable
God is one
 Sacraments
Baptism
Confirmation
Penance
Extreme Unction
Ordination
Matrimony
Communion (transubstantiation)
 Indulgences
Heaven or Hell?
Purgatory
Work our way to salvation
Hey, we can buy our way out !!!
Reformation