The Book of Confessions The Book of Confessions, containing historical statements of what we as a church believe, is available in several forms. The Book of Confessions in English Libro de Confesiones en Español (2016 version coming soon) The Book of Confessions in Korean (2016 version coming soon) O Livro de Confissões in Portuguese (2016 version coming soon) You can use this searchable online version, or you can purchase a printed version from Presbyterian Distribution Service. the book of confessions Office of the General Assembly Liturgy and worship aids Video, audio and multimedia Reports and study guidesThe Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) consists of two parts: Part one is The Book of Confessions, and part two, the Book of Order, consisting of the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity, Form of Government, Directory for Worship, and Rules of Discipline. The Book of Confessions in EnglishLibro de Confesiones en Español (2016 version coming soon)The Book of Confessions in Korean (2016 version coming soon)O Livro de Confissões in Portuguese (2016 version coming soon)
You can use this searchable online version, or you can purchase a printed version from Presbyterian Distribution Service. Learn more about the Confessional Banners (PDF)Los Estandartes Confesionales (PDF) 신앙 고백 표지들 (PDF) The Book of Order 2015-2017 is Part II of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Book of Order in EnglishThe Book of Order en Español (PDF)The Book of Order in Korean (PDF) Please help support the free distribution of Book of Order 2013-2015 by donating to the effort. You can purchase the print version of the Book of Order 2015-2017 from Presbyterian Distribution Service (Church Store). You can use this annotated searchable version online. This web application lets you search for a word or phrase in the Annotated Book of Order which includes the history of amendments since 1983. Advisory Handbook for Councils for the Development of Policies and Procedures Required by the Form of Government.
Additional resources for the new Form of Government Reporting form for Presbytery Voting on GA222 Amendments The following publications are the product of assemblies past and stepping stones for future insight and discernment: The Book of Confessions is the book containing the creeds and confessions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).[1] The contents are the Nicene Creed, the Apostles' Creed, the Scots Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Second Helvetic Confession, the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Shorter Catechism, the Larger Catechism, the Theological Declaration of Barmen, the Confession of 1967, the Confession of Belhar, and the Brief Statement of Faith.[2] The book was first published in 1983, and has been revised since then. When it was first published, the intent was to blend the theological traditions of the Presbyterian Church in the United States and the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.[3] The role of the Book of Confessions is to provide historical context for Biblical interpretations.
Amending the Book of Confessions is a six-year-long process. The process begins when a General Assembly appoints a committee to study a proposed amendment. The committee presents its report at the following General Assembly, which then votes on whether to send the amendment to the presbyteries. Two-thirds of the presbyteries, and another General Assembly must approve the amendment in order for it to be included.[5] In 2008, the 218th General Assembly began the process of adopting a new translation of the Heidelberg Catechism, as well as the Belhar Confession.[7] In 2012, the new translation of the Heidelberg Catechism was sent to the presbyteries for approval, and, after being rejected by the presbyteries, the 220th General Assembly voted to restart the process to include the Belhar Confession.Book of Order Korean 2015-2017 PDF Downloadable Version A downloadable PDF version of the Korean Book of Order. This book is Part II of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and contains the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity, the Form of Government, the Directory for Worship, and the Rules of Discipline.
Additional information is provided to the reader through the inclusion of Received Ecumenical Statements of Guidance, Articles of Agreement, and material on the seal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Tell a Friend | Add to Wish List When the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was formed in 1788, it adopted (with minor revisions) the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms (1647), as its secondary standards (the Bible itself being the only infallible rule of faith and practice). Officers in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church take a vow to "sincerely receive and adopt" these confessional documents "as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures." The following PDF documents contain the Confession and Catechisms with full Scripture proofs (several are quite large; please wait for them to load): Note: The quality hardbound book The Confession of Faith and Catechisms with Proof Texts ($12.00, postpaid to USA addresses) may be ordered from our publications page or by sending your order to:
See also: Modern English Study Version (MESV), a helpful paraphrase of the Confession of Faith, but not a part of our doctrinal Standards; First Catechism (for children); Westminster Confession of Faith (frames); Larger Catechism Bulletin Inserts. The following files were kindly supplied by ruling elder Bill Carson. A table showing the American Revisions to the Confession of Faith is also available.Book of Order 2015-2017 PDF Downloadable Version A downloadable PDF version of the Book of Order. Additional information is provided to the reader through the inclusion of Received Ecumenical Statements of Guidance and Articles of Agreement.When the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was formed in 1788, it adopted (with minor revisions) the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms (1647), as its secondary standards (the Bible itself being the only infallible rule of faith and practice). Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America take a vow to “sincerely receive and adopt” these confessional documents “as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures.”