Presbyterianism (presbiterianizm)

[= F. presbytérianisme = Sp. presbiterianismo = Pg. presbyterianismo; as Presbyterian + -ism. ] The system of church government by elders or by presbyteries. The e ential features of church government in Presbyterianism are the equality of the clergy, the identification of the apostolic presbyter with the bishop, the division of elders into teaching elders (or ministers) and ruling or lay elders, the government of each local church by its se ion, composed of pastor and ruling elders, and the subordination of se ions to a presbytery, of presbyteries to a synod, and of synods to a general a embly. In the Dutch Reformed Church, which adopts Presbyterianism, the bodies corresponding to se ion, presbytery, synod, and general a embly are consistory, cla is, synod, and general synod. This system of church government is opposed to episcopacy on one side and to congregational independency on the other. It was developed in the sixteenth century by Calvin and other reformers, and 4700 Presbyterian. Wood, Athenæ Oxon., II. tively. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 1 Tim. iv. 14. Strictly speaking, any body of elders is a Presbytery . N. A. Rev. , CXLII. 551. 2. In churches holding the Presbyterian form of government, a judicatory which ranks next above the se ion and below the synod. In the Presbyterian Church of the United States its composition and powers are thus defined in its Form of Government: "A presbytery consists of all ministers, and one ruling elder from each congregation, within a certain district.... The Presbytery has power to receive and i ue appeals from church-se ions, and references brought before them in an orderly manner; to examine and license candidates for the holy ministry; to ordain, install, remove, and judge ministers; to examine and approve or censure the records of church-se ions; to resolve questions of doctrine or discipline seriously and reasonably proposed; to condemn erroneous opinions which injure the purity or peace of the church; to visit particular churches, for the purpose of inquiring into their state and redre ing the evils that may have arisen in them; to unite or divide congregations, at the request of the people, or to form and receive new congregations; and, in general, to order whatever pertains to the spiritual welfare of the churches under their care." 3. The ecclesiastical district or division under the jurisdiction of a presbyter.-4. [ cap.] The Presbyterian polity. The question between Episcopacy and Presbytery . Craik, Hist. Eng. Lit., II. 60. 5. In arch., the part of the church appropriated to the clergy; in the early church, and in the Greek Church, the space between the altar and apse, or the whole sanctuary; afterward, the space near the altar, or the sedilia; in later Choir and Presbytery of Gloucester Cathedral, England, looking east. medieval and modern use, the space in a cathedral or large church (often raised) between the choir and the altar; le strictly, the choir or chancel. Also presbyterium. See diagram under cathedral. prescind The enclosure of the choir was kept low, so as not to hide the view of the raised presbytery , or to prevent the congregation from witne ing the more sacred mysteries of the faith which were there performed by the higher order of clergy. J. Fergu on, Hist. Arch., I. 407. 6. A clergyman's house; a parsonage. [Roman Catholic use.]