No. Scripture rules.
If you must draw a parallel it is a republic.
In a nutshell, with some variation:
The congregation elects elders, who then oversee the local body. In the Presbyterian church this group of men is called a Session. They rule over the local body.
Members of the session represent the local body at higher courts, called synods or presbyteries.
Higher and higher up until they the highest court is met. In the PCA this is called the General Assembly. Each level keeps an eye on the doctrinal purity of the level below it.
If this is sounds somewhat familiar, the US constitution is loosely based on Presbyterian church government.
In the Congregational church system majority rules. They vote on everything. Most jumped the rail a long time ago.
Thanks.
Has there been a Presbyterian Church with this structure that has “jumped the rails”?
Also on:
>>>No. Scripture rules.
I’m still unclear on the catechism here. Is it accepted that catechism = right interpretation of scripture? Is is possible for someone to find an error in the catechism based on scripture?
Or is this essentially saying they no longer hold the same beliefs as those of churches who accept the catechism? I.e., they need to change where they belong.