Presbyterianism

noun

Pres·​by·​te·​ri·​an·​ism

-tēr-

plural -s

1

a

: the presbyterian form of church government

Presbyterianism declared to be the only lawful government

—A. C. McGiffert

b

: belief in or adherence to such church government

2

: the faith and polity of the Presbyterian Church

especially : the principles of Presbyterians including the right of all members of the church to share in its government exercised through elders chosen or approved by them, the recognition of only one order in the Christian ministry with all members equal and exercising all ministerial functions, and the unity of the whole church expressed in a graded system of church courts composed of ministers and elders

3

: the whole body of Presbyterian churches

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