Thank you so much, Pastor Matthew. I was one who early on requested a video to help me understand the different distinctions regarding Presbyterian churches. My husband went by ambulance to the hospital for 6 days, also my 91-yr-young Mom lives with us, so it's been a little chaotic and busy. I'm sorry for my delay in thanking you. The video was really helpful. It gave me answers I was looking for, and also further information which spawns more pondering and research. I also bought a big ton of bricks this week; it's called a (2015) Reformation Study Bible, and some other books as well to help me in my studies and understanding. Thanks very much for your kindness and generosity. God bless and strengthen you.
Great learning through your channel and the videos. In the last 3 months, I have studied church history, the reformed tradition and just about faith in Jesus and the foundations - than I have done in the last 25 years as a "charismatic". I have realized that I knew so little while being so comfortable on the "emotions" and "feelings" based trip I was on with the charismatic/Pentecostal church. These videos have really opened my eyes about the fundamentals of the Christian faith, true worship, the Holy Spirit and even what "Trinity" or the "Triune God" really means. Thank you again. Please keep them coming! A million more "charismatics" need to see these videos.
An additional comment: Our AG pastor also is in love with Edwards. He talks about him all the time and I have enjoyed many talks with him about Edwards and the gifts that God has left us through that man. Unusual for an AG man.
Excellent video explaining the difference between Presbyterian denominations. I finally understand the difference! Thank you, Matthew. Keep up the good work and God bless!
Thanks for this. I have found recently both a PCA and an OPC church that are about equidistant from me but I was not clear on what the differences were. This video was very helpful.
Sadly, the PCA has begun a slide into LGBT+ beliefs and practices. So much so that the more conservative member churches are questioning whether they want to stay.
I have a Presbyterian Pastor friend that is reformed but very liberal in theology and politics. He now pastors a Congregational Church. This was helpful in understanding how he thinks. Thank you.
Excellent and informative. We need more info like this in our denom, the AG. We have so many churches that try to think non-denom and so do not even include the AG name on the church sign. I am thankful that my church actually has the AG name on the sign. Our pastor also helps guide the congregation in what we believe and a bit of theology. What I love most is his excellent expository preaching. He has been in Ephesians more than a year and is about half way through chapter 4. This type of dedication to the scriptures is rare in pentecostal ranks but I pray that it is increasing. We need it so much to get our churches out of the ditches of self centered preaching. The AG inherited some church government practices from the Presbyterians so I am quite interested in your discussions on those great organizations. Keep up this wonderful work. You have a gift and you are making an impact on many.
Can you do a video on the liberal confessions of the PCUSa ie C64? And the amendments to the Westminster Confession of Faith. Also the PCUSa denying inerrancy
good informative video. I am curious as to why you are personally a pastor of an EPC congregation rather than a PCA congregation as you aline more with the PCA in terms of doctrinal beliefs. perhaps a following video could answer this question in greater detail
I'd put it halfway between PCUSA and EPC. I think they retained the 12 confessions of the PCUSA which will be a problem in the future IMO. They seem solid on marriage and sexuality for now, I think. They would not permit complementarian churches like ours though, thus a step to the left of us.
@@MatthewEverhard looking into it more I think you are spot on. I don't think that ECO speaks much about any of their confessions (a few years ago I really struggled to even find it on their website without testing some Google-fun) . I've begun speaking to more people about the Westminster confession here. I love my current church, and know that at least we are a solid body. I think my wife and I both would align more with EPC or PCA if we ended up moving, or if our church strayed. Thanks for your insight. I grew up in the Presbyterian church, my wife grew up very fundamentalist Baptist, she now considers herself quite reformed.
Thank you Pastor Matt. I hope that in future videos you can give a bit more information on the smaller denominations. I spent most of my life essentially Baptist but about ten years ago became reformed by conviction. I am a member of an EPC church and went to GA several years ago. I was impressed by the way they comported themselves with regard to contentious issues. That said I would probably be in a more conservative denomination if one were available here. I do plan to move south when I retire in the next 6-10 years so have been investigating possibilities for solidly reformed churches with respect for historic participatory liturgy and music. EPC and PCA both seem to be a mix of more traditional liturgy and "seeker sensitive" congregations with an unfortunate drift toward the latter. I am also concerned with the strong and growing liberal minority in PCA that seems determined to take them the way of PCUSA. Currently it seems that PCA has more traditional congregations out there than does EPC. One of the ones I am strongly considering is ARP (URCNA is very lightly represented in the south) as they have a fairly strong representation in the south with several PCA options nearby in case of emergency ;) As far as I can tell they are strongly conservative in theology and practice with respect for the historical church. It also appears that they are not afraid to sing some Psalms which I find appealing. The best I can tell from individual church websites is that they tend to have a pretty strong liturgy. Any insights you could provide would be appreciated.
Thank you for a very interesting video. My mother was the soul support person ..secretary. st out local Presbyterian Church... So, that is where my husband snd I worshipped for about 13 years. Both of our babies were baptized there.. We knew everyone, and it was a very loving congregation. We really had no idea whst if meant to be Presbyterian.. it was simply where we attended church. I had been raised Methodist, and my husband was a cradle Catholic. I have been a Catholic since the mid 89’s... I have an MAR, and was very active in various lsy ministries. I understand very well whst it means to be a Catholic... and am not sure I will continue to be so, whfn I begin attending church again..probably in mid March . I have felt abandoned by my Church. I do enjoy your videos... Everything is so well thought out. You do an excellent job. It was fun to see you and Beau together. I pray that all goes well for you in your relatively new church. I’m sure it was difficult to leave your old one, in Florida.
Interesting...so the PC-USA is the Presbyterian version of the ELCA, liberal and anything goes, we call them LINOs (Lutheran in name only). And yes they're also bigger. Good to see that there are still conservatives who hold the name up, just like confessional Lutherans do.
You can’t say ‘clear teaching’ on an issue of which there is much theological debate. There is _no_ significant theological debate on issues that are clearly settled by scripture.
@@davidsandrock7826 The amount of debate determines the clarity of Scripture? That makes no sense, and your position doesn't understand the sinfulness of men. As far as clarity, it doesn't get much clearer than this: But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. - 1 Timothy 2:12-13
I live in Los Angeles, and when I was looking for a Presbyterian Church I couldn't find any PC churches but I actually found one that does not marry same sex or ordain them and it is a PCUSA Its probably the only one that is more traditional out here, it is one of the older Presbyterian churches in la too I believe.
There still are some older congregations that are more conservative in the PCUSA. My friend is the pastor of a former PCUSA that changed to EPC about 4 years ago. I myself am Associate Reformed Presbyterian.
Brother, I really appreciate your channel. But how does an Edwards scholar wind up in a denomination that ordains women? This matter could not be clearer in scripture.
I am just discovering reformed theology. I am visiting a United Christian Reformed Church of North America. They seem very conservative. Am I correct on that?
The URC is excellent, it is a very faithful denomination. If it happens to be the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), then be very careful they are following the steps of the PCUSA.
@@PabloMartinez-oq1cy it is. We have many people in our town descendents of Dutch immigrants. We also have crc , and American reformed . Also have PCA. A town of only 2k people .very reformed area.
I was in the PCA when we lived in Chicago but recently we found a little pearl called the CPC covenant-presbyterian.org denomination. This could be a good hub for those who may want to leave the PCA or EPC if they turn left in the future.
Whether it is PCUSA, EPC, PCA, or OPC, they all state their confession is the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). One thing I dislike about Presbyterian denominations (I belong to PCA) is that they are not forthright about multiple versions of Westminster Confession of Faith. OPC uses 1788 American revision of WCF, so technically isn't the original version and it made significant changes to the relationship between the church and state. PCUSA used to use 1903 revision, but who knows now.. their beliefs are as fluid as the transgender movement and they really don't clarify changes when made. PCA used to use 1788 revisions like OPC, but stop identifying versions... a bit too non-transparent to be honest when it is supposed to be a public faith statement. I believe EPC uses the 1910 revision, but not quite sure. At least, Reformed Baptist calls it's confession version London Confession of Faith or Philadelphia Confession of Faith with affirming that it has used the original WCF as the template. Congregationalists uses Savoy Declaration with crediting WCF is the fundamental template. Since the WCF was meant to be adopted by the Church of England to replace the existing 39 Articles, it should have been renamed to American Presbyterian Confession of Faith once significant changes are made with version years. Used to really confuse me on why all these Presbyterian denominations declare WCF as their public confession, but differ quite a bit.
In México there are different kind of presbyterian but the different is just the name. National presbyterian (the biggest), reformed presbyterian, conservated presbyterian and asotiated presbyterian chuches.
Good video. I am a member of a United Reformed Church. We do have a close relationship with the OPC. Also we have a PCA pastor come and preach when our pastor is gone.
What are some more more right leaning conservative branches of Christianity? I'm trying to begin my journey to christ, but most churches around me are very left and i'm trying to stay away from that. Help me please? Thank you!
Good day Brother. Thanks for your question. Tell me from witch country you are and I will do some research to help you to find a solid church where you are. I'm from South-Africa and part of the reformed tradition, who except the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg catechism and the Canons of Dort. How ever, I have grate respect for the Westminster standards as well. Take care Brother and may God be with you.
I've been attending an Orthodox Presbyterian Church for the past four and half years. It seemed okay to me at first, but I'm finally coming to the conclusion that it's not conservative enough for me. I don't know where I can go. I live in a liberal college town, and even the "conservative" churches here are liberal, in my opinion. I just discovered the existence of a CREC congregation in my town, so maybe I'll give them a try.
09:22-09:33 ..about go pro mission in the muslim world? Steer the missionary to..? I´m sorry if i´m not understand because I´m from Sweden and some words are to unarticulated to me. But I wonder if you are talking about Pro-Islamic or efforts to influence Islam with Christian beliefs? If anyone can answer my q-.
Thanks so much for the explanation. I'm a member of s PCA church, the only reformed church i. My area. I didn't know about the EPC or some of the other smaller ones. This was helpful.
French reformed - or french huguenot, is where most of my family on both sides comes from. I think they as a people-group spent a lot of time in Geneva with the Swiss reformed, but they were really tight-knit in families... I'm descended from one french huguenot man in more than six ways! 😂😖
Huguenot ancestry is claimed by a lot of Americans who don't actually have it. (The same is true for many Americans who claim to be descended from Hessian deserters in the Revolutionary War.) My family claimed to have Huguenot descent, and with the rise of the internet and genealogical web sites, I was able to confirm my family's claim to such descent. However, it's just a tiny drop in the ocean of my genetic make-up. My Huguenot ancestor was from Poitou. His entire family was massacred in 1697, with him being the sole survivor. He escaped to England, and a couple years later, emigrated to America. He married an English woman, and as long as the family lived along the coast, they married women of English descent. When they finally moved inland, they started marrying women of German descent. My great-grandmother may have been born with a French surname, but she was genetically primarily German, the English heritage having been drowned out of her gene pool just as much as the French previously had been.
I take that back. When a Korean female pastor was glad the PCUSA was getting rid of Calvinism and was becoming less patriarchal and Euro-centric was when they lost me.
Similar issues exist in every major historic protestant movement. We need to continue to re-establish our relationships across denominational lines based on sound biblical theology to present a united front against heresies wherever they arise. It isn't about merely being conservative or liberal but about commitment to our shared historic faith in Christ consistent with the scriptures. This need not mean we must abandon our distinctive traditions and ways of doing things, only that they take a backseat to the gospel of Christ. The rise of heresies doesn't happen because a church is liberal or conservative but because they really stopped believing the gospel of Christ. So they must instead invent an inferior one.
When did you switch from EPC to PCA? And what about claims that PCA is getting more " tolerant" on gay issues? I really do not sense that, at least from the PCA pastors I have heard on Family Radio, such as DeYoung and Thomas. I can understand tolerance of celibate gay men who live chaste and single lives, and uphold scriptural teaching on this and overall Biblical basics serving as teaching or ruling elders.
Appreciate your presentation. With respect to you and your followers, I feel your view of the OPC (Orthodox Presbyterian Church) may need some updating. Several decades ago the OPC might fit your description. In the 1960's (I think) they had a debate about the use of Psalms and the Regulative Principal of Worship (RPW). At the end of that debate they continued the use of both Hymns and Psalms. Since then, over the years, a few congregations continued with a traditional worship style, many began to include other instruments beyond a simple piano. Their church culture, if you will also morphed to the point where today (IMHO) the PCA and OPC look nearly identical. Of four OPC churches near me only one continues with a traditional worship service the other three have a contemporary worship style and two appear to be embracing an "evangelical" version of a social-justice (SJW) mentality. As for the RPCNA, yes, they continue to hold the line on the classic view of the RPW with the acapella singing only the canonical Psalms (150 Psalms in the Old Testament). But on the whole the OPC and the PCA are in diversity of worship styles and even church culture, twins. Again, I appreciate your presentation. These just a few thoughts, FWIW.
I am a member of the PCUSA Church and we are not liberal at all. When the Presbyterian Church split up, we accepted the split, but kept our policies as conservative!
Well, conceptually, the PC USA is supposed to be broadly reformed community that brings conservative, moderate, and progressive congregations together to discern significant issues within the life of the church - which is generally the case. However, as the gentlemen above demonstrates, conservative (and progressive) members of our denomination tend to align their theological views with U.S. political expressions - i.e. he mentioned something about "if your comfortable with Democratic policies toward Israel...." But this is becoming increasingly true for all denominations in the U.S. My personal assessment is that the General Assembly of the PCUSA does tend to favor progressives, although I think this has more to do with the fact that decision making at the GA seems to be more procedure based than counciliar, but thats just an impression that I get from the PCUSA news outlets.
Much has happened in the PCA since this video, most notably endorsement of homosexuality, beginning with the Revoice Conference hosted by a Missouri PCA church in 2018 and each subsequent year. Greg Johnson, a self identified homosexual and Teaching Elder in that church was given the floor at the 2019 General Assembly to give a graphic “testimony” of his faith journey as a homosexual. Pastors who objected to the Revoice position on sexuality and unchangeable nature of this sin have been threatened and censured for proclaiming Biblical teachings on sexuality and the “new man” given at redemption (1 Cor 6:9-11). As more and more pastors and churches become aware of this sea change in the PCA, they are transferring to other Presbyterian denominations or joining the nascent Vanguard Presbytery, which will soon have enough member churches to constitute a new denomination.
Has PCA divested from fossil fuel investments? What is PCA their policy/stand/belief on Climate Change, and earth stewardship? Thanks for your response
I'm in a EPC church myself! I don't really have a problem with women deacons since there are references in early church history of women in that position-however I think Biblically that women aren't called for pastoral positions. The EPC tolerance of female pastors is a weakness I think, but from what I've seen our EPC church tends to take strong stands on moral issues from a Biblical prospective.
Wow, I expected a objective comparison of the various Presbyterian denominations but what you gave was a biased and unbalanced presentstion. Perhaps your video title and description should have reflected this slant.
@@louismacchia25 hi. I'm not real familiar with the OPC. I CAN however say the ARP is conservative but loving. On the female pastor thing, no, it's not allowed now may they be elders. They can be deacons though although here in the south I've not seen one that had female Deacon's. Here is a link that may help. arpstandards.com/article/the-confession-of-faith/
I meant to say no they can't be elders either. If you are near a congregation feel free to contact the pastor for more info. Message me if you want more info.
What is well done by Pastor Everhard is his description of the apostate PC (U.S.A.). But the adequacy of his describing the differences of other denominations, especially his own, are far less than accurate (And, yes, I understand this short vid was not intended to be exhaustive.). He says that his denomination, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), “tends to be very conservative.” He then describes what that means by giving *practical* examples on a national level. But then he provides us with a fatal flaw. He says that a “carry-over” from the apostate PCUSA is the ordination of women. That makes the EPC, according to this “carry-over,” egalitarian which hardly constitutes the EPC as being “very conservative.” What other conservative U.S. Presbyterian denomination has women elders/pastors-teachers? None, because that practice is modernistic and antibiblical! More importantly, while the EPC’s exceptional website (the very best denominational website, IMO) seems to show to the public that they are, at least, somewhat conservative *theologically*, all one has to do is become acquainted with a local EPC church and, perhaps, attend several of its presbytery meetings to realize that the somewhat theologically conservative EPC is only theologically conservative “on paper.” The term “conservative” as applied to the EPC, let alone “very conservative,” has to be heavily nuanced and caveated, i.e. “mostly on paper” has to be added. When EPC elders and deacons can be ordained to those offices who have never read the Standards and, in some cases, didn’t even know what they were, it speaks strongly against “conservative.” While Pastor Everhard would “not necessarily describe” the EPC as charismatic, the EPC does! Q. Is the EPC charismatic? A. If you mean are we Pentecostal, the answer is no. If you mean are we open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the answer is yes. (epcoga.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/Files/1-Who-We-Are/B-About-The-EPC/Position-Papers/PositionPaper-HolySpirit.pdf) Sadly, Pastor Everhard says if he wasn’t in the EPC he would likely be in the PCA and he would fit “very well” in the PCA. Perhaps he is completely unaware of the ever-increasing declension in theological/confessional fidelity the PCA is experiencing. He seems not to know that several years ago, “progressive” elders in the PCA formed a semi-secret organization called “The National Partnership” with its primary intention being to move the PCA more-and-more to the left (and they have been very successful); that confessional standard adherence by PCA officers has been redefined as “good faith” subscription which has never been defined which seems to have been the intent; that women elders in the PCA are on the horizon; the Revoice conferences; the continued membership of the PCA in the politically leftist NAE which is “E” in name only (and the stated clerk of the PCA, Roy Taylor, has been on the NAE board for years and has pushed back against any attempts for the PCA to dissociate itself from the social-political leftist NAE); the finding of the strong Federal Vision adherent, Peter Leithart, not guilty of heterodoxy; allowing paedocommunionists to be ordained as TEs; and the list goes on. The PCA is nearing a time when true confessionalists and true biblically faithful evangelical Presbyterians will leave the PCA; many already have. It is startling that Pastor Everhard would say that the PCA is “very confessional” and “strictly more to the Westminster Confession of Faith.” That is patently untrue (speaking as a PCA elder who has attended several PCA General Assemblies.) Perhaps because Pastor Everhard would be “proud” to be part of the PCA, is symptomatic.
@@MatthewEverhard I understand that the PCA has some very liberal presbyteries, particularly in California. How is this issue resolved in the General Assembly? I've been a member of the PCUS, the PCUSA, the ARP and the PCA.
Thanks for your video! The ARP does still have women serving in their diaconate but they do not ordain women any longer. They are the only Presbyterian denomination that I'm aware of that is going from more liberal to more scripturally faithful. OPC actually does not tend toward Psalter only and uses both the trinity hymnal and a psalter. The differences between the OPC and the PCA historically were very minor however are growing. The PCA sadly is becoming more biblically unfaithful as they are grappling with societal pressures regarding LGBT and other radical cultural movements. There are still a LOT of GREAT PCA churches! A church/denomination will become less biblically faithful as they try to remain relevant with popular culture. As popular culture moves more and more toward self worship, the church will feel that expectation from the surrounding culture. The pressure on the church faithful is immense...but we're only here for a short time so we should glorify God according to scripture as best we are able while were on this pilgrimage:)
I grew up OPC and as an adult was PCUSA for a short time. OPC is to strident and PCUSA is too liberal. Recently I have been attending a Methodist church, only because its close by. It doesn't give me what I need. I would love to find a PCA or EPC nearby.
I've been attending an OPC church for the past four years. This is my first encounter with a Reformed church. I find my particular congregation too wimpy. I think I'm ready to move on, but I don't have many options in the liberal town where I live. I recently discovered the existence of a CREC congregation here. I'm considering giving them a try.
Judging from you comments on Israel ... you are a Christian Zionist, but consider yourself a traditional Reformed Christian? How can this be? I'm not trying to be rude or anything, just curious. It's just that I have always considered Christian Zionism a modern creation. I did not know that it was a view held within any form of Presbyterianism, modernist or conservative. I realize that there have occasionally been non-catholic (small 'c') believers who have held to pre-millennial views, but Christian Zionism is a totally different animal: Christ's victory on the cross was not complete; apostate Jews are somehow still God's people; God has not yet fulfilled His promises to Abraham, etc. Even liberals can get it right sometimes, albeit usually for the wrong reasons. Specifically, modern Israel's treatment of the Palestinians is atrocious. You are aware that their is a significant Orthodox Christian presence among the Palestinian people? .............Personally, I am Roman Catholic, but in graduate school, I wrote my thesis on aspects of the Puritan movement in the UK and America. To this day, I have great respect of many of the great Puritan minds, especially with regard to their application of rigorous logic to various portions of the Bible. I'm am especially fond of William Gurnall the author of the Christian in Complete Armour. Of all of the Puritan books that I've read, this is the one that I must declare a masterwork of the Puritan era. I would be greatly saddened to learn that the modern descendants of the Puritans were now falling under the pall of Christian Zionism. Interesting that I ran across your video because there is a local Presbyterian Church (EPC) named after St. Patrick. I drive past this church every day, and finally, I decided to look it up and find out how this could be. I knew that the Church of England and the Episcopalians will occasionally name a church after a saint that did not appear in the Bible, but I had not realized that this was also a practice among Presbyterians.
I largely agree with your comments, but to characterize Christian Zionism as believing Christ's victory on the cross to be incomplete is way off the mark.
Why did you choose to add the comments about political parties? You do know that Jesus said to feed the poor, clothe the naked, I see the politics and morals there as particularly Democratic! Jesus hung out with prostitutes, not to engage in sin, but to bring them to salvation. (Tax collectors and fishermen, too) I was with you UNTIL YOU WENT THERE! So many christians draw lines where Jesus never did! In fact, politics is why Jesus was so hated by the Pharisees. Christians need to stop trying to make connections to political parties! Shame on you!
The infusion of politics into religion is hilarious. You do know you all don't have to talk to invisible people and go through rituals to have a political opinion right? Like, you can just tell people what you think without claiming that you talk for some god.
Yikes! I definitely was surprised that your denomination supports women pastors. We are looking at a PCA church right now. But women pastors is sort of a very very big deal, isn’t it? I would put it right under homosexual pastors. Our marriages and churches are a total mess. Marriage in church is throughout the Bible a place where women are not to lead men. You sound like a very solid person and I enjoy your videos thank you. And as a sidenote, the Titus 2 verse three ministry is catching like wild fire on social media accounts. Many women teaching this content because all the female famous Bible teachers won’t. Sincerely, a female, helpmeet, and keeper of my home.
It's too bad the Presbyterian Church is so progressive instead of biblical. I am Reformed Baptist, Primitive Baptist to be exact but our numbers are declining. Primitive Baptist's don't have the trappings to attract marginal Christians, I would not know where to go if my church dissolved.
Enjoyed your video. I am a ruling elder at Grace Covenant EPC in Exton, PA. I formerly was affiliated with a PCUSA church and left for all the reason you stated about that denomination. I question whether it is still a Christian church.
Too many letters… confusing… just be a Calvinist then people will better know where you stand. I knew nothing about ECA , PCA or PC USA and can see how someone would think your something that you are not. I did subscribe and love you content but you may need to distance yourself from all those “letters”. Just an observation.
why should we care about Israel? what business is a church in the US doing sending money to a random country around the world and why is this so important?
It seems, historically, that it can take only a generation or two to turn a particular Presbyterian denomination from believing to unbelieving, and the reverse.
Bro, you lost me when you went on about the “liberal media”. There is no liberal media. It’s all owned by a handful of corporations who have a vested interest in promoting conservative economic policy. Liberal or progressive in social issues, sure, but nowhere else.
The state of the PCUSA is so sad. They've surpassed even the ELCA in their liberalism (who don't even require their pastors to have Lutheran theology) The PCUSA has replaced theology with culture, and then they seem surprised that cultural activism has replaced their church and their congregations are dying
Michael Lazarus with due respect I am just describing my sexuality, just as like you describe straight or heterosexual. I am a Christian and who are you to judge me? You don’t know my heart, only God does. Unlike fornication, lying, and stealing, sexuality is not something you choose. I’m assuming you didn’t choose to be attracted to the opposite sex. My life style is human, just as yours. I’m not struggling with anything accept bigotry and hypocrisy that I see against God’s children.
Michael Lazarus exactly. I confront what you are saying here as error and it is fine to speak out. I don’t agree with your interpretation of scripture and homosexuality as if it a choice. Having sex outside of marriage is a choice. Being gay is not. Just like you being heterosexual wasn’t a choice. I’m not saying anything goes, but I am also not confronting your salvation status, that is between you and God. That is the difference between you and me. You just told me that I am not a Christian and I am going to hell for being gay. What would Jesus think about your actions? I’m not interested in how many scripture references you can quote. I read my bible daily and was raised in the church. I’m not interested in a theology that reminds me of the Saducees and Pharisees in Jesus time. So called Christians, that think they are so scripturally sound they can go around and tell others they are going to hell, as if they know all things in the moment of someone’s death. I’m interested in a theology of empathy and compassion. Jesus said you will know them by the fruits that they bare. What type of fruit are you producing by condemning people to hell. The Bible says, “Many will tell me in that day, Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
I'm a Christian and I have nothing against the LGBT+ community I have no hate for them in my hart and no anger Nathan Cook I wish you the very best in life and many blessings on you and your house
Thank you so much, Pastor Matthew. I was one who early on requested a video to help me understand the different distinctions regarding Presbyterian churches. My husband went by ambulance to the hospital for 6 days, also my 91-yr-young Mom lives with us, so it's been a little chaotic and busy. I'm sorry for my delay in thanking you. The video was really helpful. It gave me answers I was looking for, and also further information which spawns more pondering and research. I also bought a big ton of bricks this week; it's called a (2015) Reformation Study Bible, and some other books as well to help me in my studies and understanding.
Thanks very much for your kindness and generosity. God bless and strengthen you.
Opc presbyterisn
Thank you very much for explaining some of the denomination differences within the Presbyterian denominations. Really awesome Pastor Matt!
As usual, an articulate, and intelligent explanation. Thank you!
Great learning through your channel and the videos. In the last 3 months, I have studied church history, the reformed tradition and just about faith in Jesus and the foundations - than I have done in the last 25 years as a "charismatic". I have realized that I knew so little while being so comfortable on the "emotions" and "feelings" based trip I was on with the charismatic/Pentecostal church. These videos have really opened my eyes about the fundamentals of the Christian faith, true worship, the Holy Spirit and even what "Trinity" or the "Triune God" really means. Thank you again. Please keep them coming! A million more "charismatics" need to see these videos.
Been wondering about this. Thanks for the video!
Matt. Nice work. Proud to be part of the 3,000.
An additional comment: Our AG pastor also is in love with Edwards. He talks about him all the time and I have enjoyed many talks with him about Edwards and the gifts that God has left us through that man. Unusual for an AG man.
Excellent video explaining the difference between Presbyterian denominations. I finally understand the difference! Thank you, Matthew. Keep up the good work and God bless!
Thanks for this! Why do you go EPC vs PCA?
Thanks for this. I have found recently both a PCA and an OPC church that are about equidistant from me but I was not clear on what the differences were. This video was very helpful.
Thank you Pastor Matt for such a quick reply about the differences in the Presbyterian church. Great video.
Great! Glad you saw it. All opinions my own of course.
Sadly, the PCA has begun a slide into LGBT+ beliefs and practices. So much so that the more conservative member churches are questioning whether they want to stay.
I have a Presbyterian Pastor friend that is reformed but very liberal in theology and politics. He now pastors a Congregational Church. This was helpful in understanding how he thinks. Thank you.
This is very helpful! Thank you for this explanation!
Excellent and informative. We need more info like this in our denom, the AG. We have so many churches that try to think non-denom and so do not even include the AG name on the church sign. I am thankful that my church actually has the AG name on the sign. Our pastor also helps guide the congregation in what we believe and a bit of theology. What I love most is his excellent expository preaching. He has been in Ephesians more than a year and is about half way through chapter 4. This type of dedication to the scriptures is rare in pentecostal ranks but I pray that it is increasing. We need it so much to get our churches out of the ditches of self centered preaching. The AG inherited some church government practices from the Presbyterians so I am quite interested in your discussions on those great organizations. Keep up this wonderful work. You have a gift and you are making an impact on many.
Amen
Thank you Pastor Matt , your videos are always helpful . I’m currently in the process of becoming a member of my local OPC and thankful.
Great! Praise God!
What about RPCNA?
Greetings from Fairview Presbyterian Church, ECO. Thanks for your informative videos.
Very helpful, thank you!
Can you do a video on the liberal confessions of the PCUSa ie C64? And the amendments to the Westminster Confession of Faith. Also the PCUSa denying inerrancy
good informative video. I am curious as to why you are personally a pastor of an EPC congregation rather than a PCA congregation as you aline more with the PCA in terms of doctrinal beliefs. perhaps a following video could answer this question in greater detail
Thank you so much for this video! I definitely learned a lot!
Very informative video. Thanks so much.
Thank you for your post/video. What about the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO)?!
What are your thoughts on ECO-pres? My church left PCUSA a few years ago and went into ECO. I always wondered why we didn't look more into EPC.
I'd put it halfway between PCUSA and EPC. I think they retained the 12 confessions of the PCUSA which will be a problem in the future IMO. They seem solid on marriage and sexuality for now, I think. They would not permit complementarian churches like ours though, thus a step to the left of us.
@@MatthewEverhard looking into it more I think you are spot on. I don't think that ECO speaks much about any of their confessions (a few years ago I really struggled to even find it on their website without testing some Google-fun) . I've begun speaking to more people about the Westminster confession here. I love my current church, and know that at least we are a solid body. I think my wife and I both would align more with EPC or PCA if we ended up moving, or if our church strayed. Thanks for your insight. I grew up in the Presbyterian church, my wife grew up very fundamentalist Baptist, she now considers herself quite reformed.
Is that a ukulele on the wall behind you?
Thank you Pastor Matt. I hope that in future videos you can give a bit more information on the smaller denominations. I spent most of my life essentially Baptist but about ten years ago became reformed by conviction. I am a member of an EPC church and went to GA several years ago. I was impressed by the way they comported themselves with regard to contentious issues.
That said I would probably be in a more conservative denomination if one were available here. I do plan to move south when I retire in the next 6-10 years so have been investigating possibilities for solidly reformed churches with respect for historic participatory liturgy and music. EPC and PCA both seem to be a mix of more traditional liturgy and "seeker sensitive" congregations with an unfortunate drift toward the latter. I am also concerned with the strong and growing liberal minority in PCA that seems determined to take them the way of PCUSA. Currently it seems that PCA has more traditional congregations out there than does EPC.
One of the ones I am strongly considering is ARP (URCNA is very lightly represented in the south) as they have a fairly strong representation in the south with several PCA options nearby in case of emergency ;) As far as I can tell they are strongly conservative in theology and practice with respect for the historical church. It also appears that they are not afraid to sing some Psalms which I find appealing. The best I can tell from individual church websites is that they tend to have a pretty strong liturgy. Any insights you could provide would be appreciated.
I'll take this Q. Good one.
So helpful thank you
What about the Cumberland Presbyterian Church? Thinking about joining!
Thank you for a very interesting video. My mother was the soul support person ..secretary. st out local Presbyterian Church... So, that is where my husband snd I worshipped for about 13 years. Both of our babies were baptized there.. We knew everyone, and it was a very loving congregation.
We really had no idea whst if meant to be Presbyterian.. it was simply where we attended church. I had been raised Methodist, and my husband was a cradle Catholic. I have been a Catholic since the mid 89’s... I have an MAR, and was very active in various lsy ministries. I understand very well whst it means to be a Catholic... and am not sure I will continue to be so, whfn I begin attending church again..probably in mid March . I have felt abandoned by my Church.
I do enjoy your videos... Everything is so well thought out. You do an excellent job. It was fun to see you and Beau together.
I pray that all goes well for you in your relatively new church. I’m sure it was difficult to leave your old one, in Florida.
Very informative.
Does the Presbyterian Church have a position on vaccinations?
That was very helpful. Thanks
What about the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination as far as liberal or conservative??
Very helpful. Thanks! But man, I can’t call any denom that ordains woman against the clear teaching of Scripture reformed. Thanks again :)
I am PCUSA and the liberalism you speak of varies from church to church.
Interesting...so the PC-USA is the Presbyterian version of the ELCA, liberal and anything goes, we call them LINOs (Lutheran in name only). And yes they're also bigger. Good to see that there are still conservatives who hold the name up, just like confessional Lutherans do.
You can’t say ‘clear teaching’ on an issue of which there is much theological debate. There is _no_ significant theological debate on issues that are clearly settled by scripture.
@@davidsandrock7826 The amount of debate determines the clarity of Scripture? That makes no sense, and your position doesn't understand the sinfulness of men.
As far as clarity, it doesn't get much clearer than this:
But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.
- 1 Timothy 2:12-13
PCUSA has given over to liberalism. At least a good majority of them depending on the church.
Scotch is a drink, Scottish are a people!🤣🏴
I live in Los Angeles, and when I was looking for a Presbyterian Church I couldn't find any PC churches but I actually found one that does not marry same sex or ordain them and it is a PCUSA Its probably the only one that is more traditional out here, it is one of the older Presbyterian churches in la too I believe.
There still are some older congregations that are more conservative in the PCUSA. My friend is the pastor of a former PCUSA that changed to EPC about 4 years ago. I myself am Associate Reformed Presbyterian.
At one time I lived in LA, and we had a fairly large number of PCA churches in the L. A. area.
Brother, I really appreciate your channel. But how does an Edwards scholar wind up in a denomination that ordains women? This matter could not be clearer in scripture.
Watch his newer videos. Paster Mat is in the PCA at this moment.
Is PCA hyper calvinist? Are any of the Presbyterian churches hyper calvinist (of course, the PCUSA pretty obvious would not be)?
Pca isn't hyper Calvin nooo
Excellent video, thanks. I am a Catholic and enjoy your channel. God bless
I am just discovering reformed theology. I am visiting a United Christian Reformed Church of North America. They seem very conservative. Am I correct on that?
Did you mean to say United Reformed Church of North America?
@@PabloMartinez-oq1cy yes
The URC is excellent, it is a very faithful denomination. If it happens to be the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), then be very careful they are following the steps of the PCUSA.
@@PabloMartinez-oq1cy it is. We have many people in our town descendents of Dutch immigrants. We also have crc , and American reformed . Also have PCA. A town of only 2k people .very reformed area.
@@philhoward490 It sounds like the midwest to me, Praise the Lord! 😃.
I was in the PCA when we lived in Chicago but recently we found a little pearl called the CPC covenant-presbyterian.org denomination. This could be a good hub for those who may want to leave the PCA or EPC if they turn left in the future.
opc is a good option too.
@@slamdancer1720 agreed
@@JC-sj2pd yes, I don't subscribe to exclusive Psalmody as of yet but I do admire their commitment to the regularative principle
Thank you. I've noticed a leftward drift in the EPC, especially considering the race and justice conference from a few years ago.
Whether it is PCUSA, EPC, PCA, or OPC, they all state their confession is the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). One thing I dislike about Presbyterian denominations (I belong to PCA) is that they are not forthright about multiple versions of Westminster Confession of Faith. OPC uses 1788 American revision of WCF, so technically isn't the original version and it made significant changes to the relationship between the church and state. PCUSA used to use 1903 revision, but who knows now.. their beliefs are as fluid as the transgender movement and they really don't clarify changes when made. PCA used to use 1788 revisions like OPC, but stop identifying versions... a bit too non-transparent to be honest when it is supposed to be a public faith statement. I believe EPC uses the 1910 revision, but not quite sure.
At least, Reformed Baptist calls it's confession version London Confession of Faith or Philadelphia Confession of Faith with affirming that it has used the original WCF as the template. Congregationalists uses Savoy Declaration with crediting WCF is the fundamental template. Since the WCF was meant to be adopted by the Church of England to replace the existing 39 Articles, it should have been renamed to American Presbyterian Confession of Faith once significant changes are made with version years. Used to really confuse me on why all these Presbyterian denominations declare WCF as their public confession, but differ quite a bit.
In México there are different kind of presbyterian but the different is just the name. National presbyterian (the biggest), reformed presbyterian, conservated presbyterian and asotiated presbyterian chuches.
How about cumberland Presbyterian church
Godbless ptr.mat
Good video. I am a member of a United Reformed Church. We do have a close relationship with the OPC. Also we have a PCA pastor come and preach when our pastor is gone.
CREC?
What about the Christian Reformed Church of North America?
What are some more more right leaning conservative branches of Christianity? I'm trying to begin my journey to christ, but most churches around me are very left and i'm trying to stay away from that. Help me please? Thank you!
Good day Brother.
Thanks for your question.
Tell me from witch country you are and I will do some research to help you to find a solid church where you are.
I'm from South-Africa and part of the reformed tradition, who except the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg catechism and the Canons of Dort. How ever, I have grate respect for the Westminster standards as well.
Take care Brother and may God be with you.
In the USA I would say Independent Baptist. They seem to mostly be located in the south.
@@brynnsahved3681 You can't go wrong with the Protestant Reformed Church, the PCA, RPCNA and the OPC.
I've been attending an Orthodox Presbyterian Church for the past four and half years. It seemed okay to me at first, but I'm finally coming to the conclusion that it's not conservative enough for me. I don't know where I can go. I live in a liberal college town, and even the "conservative" churches here are liberal, in my opinion. I just discovered the existence of a CREC congregation in my town, so maybe I'll give them a try.
09:22-09:33 ..about go pro mission in the muslim world? Steer the missionary to..? I´m sorry if i´m not understand because I´m from Sweden and some words are to unarticulated to me. But I wonder if you are talking about Pro-Islamic or efforts to influence Islam with Christian beliefs? If anyone can answer my q-.
He's talking about converting Muslims to Christianity.
You forgot ECO
Coral Ridge PC in Ft. Lauderdale was excellent under James Kennedy & their Evangelism Program which I took shortly after I was saved years ago.
Thanks so much for the explanation. I'm a member of s PCA church, the only reformed church i. My area. I didn't know about the EPC or some of the other smaller ones. This was helpful.
The EPC branch is the fastest growing denomination.
French reformed - or french huguenot, is where most of my family on both sides comes from. I think they as a people-group spent a lot of time in Geneva with the Swiss reformed, but they were really tight-knit in families... I'm descended from one french huguenot man in more than six ways! 😂😖
Huguenot ancestry is claimed by a lot of Americans who don't actually have it. (The same is true for many Americans who claim to be descended from Hessian deserters in the Revolutionary War.) My family claimed to have Huguenot descent, and with the rise of the internet and genealogical web sites, I was able to confirm my family's claim to such descent. However, it's just a tiny drop in the ocean of my genetic make-up. My Huguenot ancestor was from Poitou. His entire family was massacred in 1697, with him being the sole survivor. He escaped to England, and a couple years later, emigrated to America. He married an English woman, and as long as the family lived along the coast, they married women of English descent. When they finally moved inland, they started marrying women of German descent. My great-grandmother may have been born with a French surname, but she was genetically primarily German, the English heritage having been drowned out of her gene pool just as much as the French previously had been.
When PCUSA pushed to keep Planned Parenthood from losing government funds was when they basically lost me.
I take that back. When a Korean female pastor was glad the PCUSA was getting rid of Calvinism and was becoming less patriarchal and Euro-centric was when they lost me.
@@AarmOZ84 lmao when you thought it couldn't get much worse
Similar issues exist in every major historic protestant movement. We need to continue to re-establish our relationships across denominational lines based on sound biblical theology to present a united front against heresies wherever they arise. It isn't about merely being conservative or liberal but about commitment to our shared historic faith in Christ consistent with the scriptures. This need not mean we must abandon our distinctive traditions and ways of doing things, only that they take a backseat to the gospel of Christ. The rise of heresies doesn't happen because a church is liberal or conservative but because they really stopped believing the gospel of Christ. So they must instead invent an inferior one.
When did you switch from EPC to PCA? And what about claims that PCA is getting more " tolerant" on gay issues? I really do not sense that, at least from the PCA pastors I have heard on Family Radio, such as DeYoung and Thomas. I can understand tolerance of celibate gay men who live chaste and single lives, and uphold scriptural teaching on this and overall Biblical basics serving as teaching or ruling elders.
Just wanted to mention that I am from the Cincinnati area... Mason/Lebanon.
Grew up Presbyteria BEFORE there was a PCUSA. Never been part of PCUSA; too liberal for me. I was born conservative and I was born old.
Appreciate your presentation. With respect to you and your followers, I feel your view of the OPC (Orthodox Presbyterian Church) may need some updating. Several decades ago the OPC might fit your description. In the 1960's (I think) they had a debate about the use of Psalms and the Regulative Principal of Worship (RPW). At the end of that debate they continued the use of both Hymns and Psalms. Since then, over the years, a few congregations continued with a traditional worship style, many began to include other instruments beyond a simple piano. Their church culture, if you will also morphed to the point where today (IMHO) the PCA and OPC look nearly identical. Of four OPC churches near me only one continues with a traditional worship service the other three have a contemporary worship style and two appear to be embracing an "evangelical" version of a social-justice (SJW) mentality. As for the RPCNA, yes, they continue to hold the line on the classic view of the RPW with the acapella singing only the canonical Psalms (150 Psalms in the Old Testament). But on the whole the OPC and the PCA are in diversity of worship styles and even church culture, twins. Again, I appreciate your presentation. These just a few thoughts, FWIW.
I am a member of the PCUSA Church and we are not liberal at all. When the Presbyterian Church split up, we accepted the split, but kept our policies as conservative!
Where is the video on woman pastors you said you will go more in depth
Thanks, I'm brazilian and was looking for PCUSA videos thinking that they were the conservative denomination... I was in shock Haha
Well, conceptually, the PC USA is supposed to be broadly reformed community that brings conservative, moderate, and progressive congregations together to discern significant issues within the life of the church - which is generally the case. However, as the gentlemen above demonstrates, conservative (and progressive) members of our denomination tend to align their theological views with U.S. political expressions - i.e. he mentioned something about "if your comfortable with Democratic policies toward Israel...." But this is becoming increasingly true for all denominations in the U.S.
My personal assessment is that the General Assembly of the PCUSA does tend to favor progressives, although I think this has more to do with the fact that decision making at the GA seems to be more procedure based than counciliar, but thats just an impression that I get from the PCUSA news outlets.
Estamos em boas mãos aqui no Brasil com a IPB, igreja seríssima e santa. Deus te abençoe irmão.
Thank you for the clarification. It is so sad to see how so many denominations have digressed from their founding faith.
Much has happened in the PCA since this video, most notably endorsement of homosexuality, beginning with the Revoice Conference hosted by a Missouri PCA church in 2018 and each subsequent year. Greg Johnson, a self identified homosexual and Teaching Elder in that church was given the floor at the 2019 General Assembly to give a graphic “testimony” of his faith journey as a homosexual.
Pastors who objected to the Revoice position on sexuality and unchangeable nature of this sin have been threatened and censured for proclaiming Biblical teachings on sexuality and the “new man” given at redemption (1 Cor 6:9-11).
As more and more pastors and churches become aware of this sea change in the PCA, they are transferring to other Presbyterian denominations or joining the nascent Vanguard Presbytery, which will soon have enough member churches to constitute a new denomination.
Has PCA divested from fossil fuel investments? What is PCA their policy/stand/belief on Climate Change, and earth stewardship? Thanks for your response
Thank you pastor. For speaking truth and letting the world know what is happening within the Presbyterian Church.
I'm in a EPC church myself! I don't really have a problem with women deacons since there are references in early church history of women in that position-however I think Biblically that women aren't called for pastoral positions. The EPC tolerance of female pastors is a weakness I think, but from what I've seen our EPC church tends to take strong stands on moral issues from a Biblical prospective.
Wow, I expected a objective comparison of the various Presbyterian denominations but what you gave was a biased and unbalanced presentstion. Perhaps your video title and description should have reflected this slant.
I'm a member of the oldest conservative body of Presbyterians called the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church commonly called ARP.
@@louismacchia25 hi. I'm not real familiar with the OPC. I CAN however say the ARP is conservative but loving. On the female pastor thing, no, it's not allowed now may they be elders. They can be deacons though although here in the south I've not seen one that had female Deacon's. Here is a link that may help. arpstandards.com/article/the-confession-of-faith/
I meant to say no they can't be elders either. If you are near a congregation feel free to contact the pastor for more info. Message me if you want more info.
The pcusa of which I grew up in it all depends upon the church and your locations. The western ky presbytery does not have LGBTQ preachers.
What is well done by Pastor Everhard is his description of the apostate PC (U.S.A.). But the adequacy of his describing the differences of other denominations, especially his own, are far less than accurate (And, yes, I understand this short vid was not intended to be exhaustive.).
He says that his denomination, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), “tends to be very conservative.” He then describes what that means by giving *practical* examples on a national level. But then he provides us with a fatal flaw. He says that a “carry-over” from the apostate PCUSA is the ordination of women. That makes the EPC, according to this “carry-over,” egalitarian which hardly constitutes the EPC as being “very conservative.” What other conservative U.S. Presbyterian denomination has women elders/pastors-teachers? None, because that practice is modernistic and antibiblical! More importantly, while the EPC’s exceptional website (the very best denominational website, IMO) seems to show to the public that they are, at least, somewhat conservative *theologically*, all one has to do is become acquainted with a local EPC church and, perhaps, attend several of its presbytery meetings to realize that the somewhat theologically conservative EPC is only theologically conservative “on paper.” The term “conservative” as applied to the EPC, let alone “very conservative,” has to be heavily nuanced and caveated, i.e. “mostly on paper” has to be added. When EPC elders and deacons can be ordained to those offices who have never read the Standards and, in some cases, didn’t even know what they were, it speaks strongly against “conservative.”
While Pastor Everhard would “not necessarily describe” the EPC as charismatic, the EPC does!
Q. Is the EPC charismatic?
A. If you mean are we Pentecostal, the answer is no. If you mean are we open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the answer is yes. (epcoga.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/Files/1-Who-We-Are/B-About-The-EPC/Position-Papers/PositionPaper-HolySpirit.pdf)
Sadly, Pastor Everhard says if he wasn’t in the EPC he would likely be in the PCA and he would fit “very well” in the PCA. Perhaps he is completely unaware of the ever-increasing declension in theological/confessional fidelity the PCA is experiencing. He seems not to know that several years ago, “progressive” elders in the PCA formed a semi-secret organization called “The National Partnership” with its primary intention being to move the PCA more-and-more to the left (and they have been very successful); that confessional standard adherence by PCA officers has been redefined as “good faith” subscription which has never been defined which seems to have been the intent; that women elders in the PCA are on the horizon; the Revoice conferences; the continued membership of the PCA in the politically leftist NAE which is “E” in name only (and the stated clerk of the PCA, Roy Taylor, has been on the NAE board for years and has pushed back against any attempts for the PCA to dissociate itself from the social-political leftist NAE); the finding of the strong Federal Vision adherent, Peter Leithart, not guilty of heterodoxy; allowing paedocommunionists to be ordained as TEs; and the list goes on. The PCA is nearing a time when true confessionalists and true biblically faithful evangelical Presbyterians will leave the PCA; many already have. It is startling that Pastor Everhard would say that the PCA is “very confessional” and “strictly more to the Westminster Confession of Faith.” That is patently untrue (speaking as a PCA elder who has attended several PCA General Assemblies.) Perhaps because Pastor Everhard would be “proud” to be part of the PCA, is symptomatic.
Free Presbyterian Church of North America
Bro sounds like he wants a job with the PCA, someone give this man a job
I have been in the PCA for more than a year now :-) That video is old.
@@MatthewEverhard Awesome!
@@MatthewEverhard I understand that the PCA has some very liberal presbyteries, particularly in California. How is this issue resolved in the General Assembly? I've been a member of the PCUS, the PCUSA, the ARP and the PCA.
Aye a fellow complementarian!!
Thanks for your video! The ARP does still have women serving in their diaconate but they do not ordain women any longer. They are the only Presbyterian denomination that I'm aware of that is going from more liberal to more scripturally faithful. OPC actually does not tend toward Psalter only and uses both the trinity hymnal and a psalter. The differences between the OPC and the PCA historically were very minor however are growing. The PCA sadly is becoming more biblically unfaithful as they are grappling with societal pressures regarding LGBT and other radical cultural movements. There are still a LOT of GREAT PCA churches! A church/denomination will become less biblically faithful as they try to remain relevant with popular culture. As popular culture moves more and more toward self worship, the church will feel that expectation from the surrounding culture. The pressure on the church faithful is immense...but we're only here for a short time so we should glorify God according to scripture as best we are able while were on this pilgrimage:)
I grew up OPC and as an adult was PCUSA for a short time. OPC is to strident and PCUSA is too liberal. Recently I have been attending a Methodist church, only because its close by. It doesn't give me what I need. I would love to find a PCA or EPC nearby.
I've been attending an OPC church for the past four years. This is my first encounter with a Reformed church. I find my particular congregation too wimpy. I think I'm ready to move on, but I don't have many options in the liberal town where I live. I recently discovered the existence of a CREC congregation here. I'm considering giving them a try.
Judging from you comments on Israel ... you are a Christian Zionist, but consider yourself a traditional Reformed Christian? How can this be? I'm not trying to be rude or anything, just curious. It's just that I have always considered Christian Zionism a modern creation. I did not know that it was a view held within any form of Presbyterianism, modernist or conservative. I realize that there have occasionally been non-catholic (small 'c') believers who have held to pre-millennial views, but Christian Zionism is a totally different animal: Christ's victory on the cross was not complete; apostate Jews are somehow still God's people; God has not yet fulfilled His promises to Abraham, etc. Even liberals can get it right sometimes, albeit usually for the wrong reasons. Specifically, modern Israel's treatment of the Palestinians is atrocious. You are aware that their is a significant Orthodox Christian presence among the Palestinian people?
.............Personally, I am Roman Catholic, but in graduate school, I wrote my thesis on aspects of the Puritan movement in the UK and America. To this day, I have great respect of many of the great Puritan minds, especially with regard to their application of rigorous logic to various portions of the Bible. I'm am especially fond of William Gurnall the author of the Christian in Complete Armour. Of all of the Puritan books that I've read, this is the one that I must declare a masterwork of the Puritan era. I would be greatly saddened to learn that the modern descendants of the Puritans were now falling under the pall of Christian Zionism. Interesting that I ran across your video because there is a local Presbyterian Church (EPC) named after St. Patrick. I drive past this church every day, and finally, I decided to look it up and find out how this could be. I knew that the Church of England and the Episcopalians will occasionally name a church after a saint that did not appear in the Bible, but I had not realized that this was also a practice among Presbyterians.
I largely agree with your comments, but to characterize Christian Zionism as believing Christ's victory on the cross to be incomplete is way off the mark.
Very interesting. PCA is pretty far to the left of what I’m used to! I’d have a very hard time calling it “conservative.”
Why did you choose to add the comments about political parties? You do know that Jesus said to feed the poor, clothe the naked, I see the politics and morals there as particularly Democratic! Jesus hung out with prostitutes, not to engage in sin, but to bring them to salvation. (Tax collectors and fishermen, too) I was with you UNTIL YOU WENT THERE! So many christians draw lines where Jesus never did! In fact, politics is why Jesus was so hated by the Pharisees. Christians need to stop trying to make connections to political parties! Shame on you!
The infusion of politics into religion is hilarious. You do know you all don't have to talk to invisible people and go through rituals to have a political opinion right? Like, you can just tell people what you think without claiming that you talk for some god.
Yikes! I definitely was surprised that your denomination supports women pastors. We are looking at a PCA church right now. But women pastors is sort of a very very big deal, isn’t it? I would put it right under homosexual pastors. Our marriages and churches are a total mess. Marriage in church is throughout the Bible a place where women are not to lead men. You sound like a very solid person and I enjoy your videos thank you. And as a sidenote, the Titus 2 verse three ministry is catching like wild fire on social media accounts. Many women teaching this content because all the female famous Bible teachers won’t. Sincerely, a female, helpmeet, and keeper of my home.
What “sickens my stomach” (as you referred to) is people who think they sorted it all out and all the rest sucks.
A congregational church is not one where the congregation votes on everything
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I love mine too!
It's too bad the Presbyterian Church is so progressive instead of biblical. I am Reformed Baptist, Primitive Baptist to be exact but our numbers are declining. Primitive Baptist's don't have the trappings to attract marginal Christians, I would not know where to go if my church dissolved.
Enjoyed your video. I am a ruling elder at Grace Covenant EPC in Exton, PA. I formerly was affiliated with a PCUSA church and left for all the reason you stated about that denomination. I question whether it is still a Christian church.
Too many letters… confusing… just be a Calvinist then people will better know where you stand. I knew nothing about ECA , PCA or PC USA and can see how someone would think your something that you are not. I did subscribe and love you content but you may need to distance yourself from all those “letters”. Just an observation.
I think you should build relationships with a few PC (USA) congregations, you might be surprised.
Presbyterian USA sounds like a cult like Lutheran ELCA. My brother went to a ELCA church where they thought about goddesses.
why should we care about Israel? what business is a church in the US doing sending money to a random country around the world and why is this so important?
Those issues are the reason why i attend a Reformed Independent Baptist, no outside people meddling
Israhell should be condemned though.
It seems, historically, that it can take only a generation or two to turn a particular Presbyterian denomination from believing to unbelieving, and the reverse.
Bro, you lost me when you went on about the “liberal media”.
There is no liberal media. It’s all owned by a handful of corporations who have a vested interest in promoting conservative economic policy.
Liberal or progressive in social issues, sure, but nowhere else.
Funniest thing I read all day!
You’re an idiot
We call it the liberal media, because they consistently promote liberal ideas.
The state of the PCUSA is so sad. They've surpassed even the ELCA in their liberalism (who don't even require their pastors to have Lutheran theology)
The PCUSA has replaced theology with culture, and then they seem surprised that cultural activism has replaced their church and their congregations are dying
I’m happy to be accepted by Jesus & the PCUSA
Is that shoe polish on your hair? Looks terrible.
Show some class you moron!
Biased much. Sickens my stomach?
Hello Pastor,
As a gay man and a Christian, I pray that your heart and understanding of scripture be expanded.
Michael Lazarus with due respect I am just describing my sexuality, just as like you describe straight or heterosexual. I am a Christian and who are you to judge me? You don’t know my heart, only God does. Unlike fornication, lying, and stealing, sexuality is not something you choose. I’m assuming you didn’t choose to be attracted to the opposite sex. My life style is human, just as yours. I’m not struggling with anything accept bigotry and hypocrisy that I see against God’s children.
Michael Lazarus exactly. I confront what you are saying here as error and it is fine to speak out. I don’t agree with your interpretation of scripture and homosexuality as if it a choice. Having sex outside of marriage is a choice. Being gay is not. Just like you being heterosexual wasn’t a choice. I’m not saying anything goes, but I am also not confronting your salvation status, that is between you and God. That is the difference between you and me. You just told me that I am not a Christian and I am going to hell for being gay. What would Jesus think about your actions? I’m not interested in how many scripture references you can quote. I read my bible daily and was raised in the church. I’m not interested in a theology that reminds me of the Saducees and Pharisees in Jesus time. So called Christians, that think they are so scripturally sound they can go around and tell others they are going to hell, as if they know all things in the moment of someone’s death. I’m interested in a theology of empathy and compassion. Jesus said you will know them by the fruits that they bare. What type of fruit are you producing by condemning people to hell. The Bible says, “Many will tell me in that day, Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
I'm a Christian and I have nothing against the LGBT+ community I have no hate for them in my hart and no anger Nathan Cook I wish you the very best in life and many blessings on you and your house
Shepherd Book Thank you for your kind words. May the Lord bless you.
Nathan Cooke thank you