Difference Between Methodist and Presbyterian
Main difference
The main difference between Methodist and Presbyterian beliefs is that Methodists reject the Calvinist doctrine of predestination (only certain people are destined for salvation, while the rest are destined or dedicated by God to damnation) while Presbyterians accept it .
Methodist vs. Presbyterian
Methodists and Presbyterians are two of the many denominations that exist in Christianity. Methodists believe that fallen men can ask God for his grace to save themselves. Presbyterians believe that men need God’s grace for their salvation, but cannot seek God for themselves. The Methodists reject the Calvinist doctrine of predestination while the Presbyterians accept it. The rejection or acceptance of the Calvinist doctrine of predestination is a fundamental difference. In simple words, John Calvin’s doctrine says that only certain people are destined for salvation, while the rest of them are destined (or dedicated by God) to damnation. John Wesley founded the Methodist Church in England in 1739. He broke its ties to the ideology of Wesleyism, the Church and beliefs based on Lutheranism. John Knox, a formal Catholic priest, founded the Presbyterian Church in 1560. It has its roots in Calvinism (founded by Knox in Scotland). Methodists say that all those people who believe in God will obtain salvation. Presbyterians say that God has already chosen those he wants to save. The Methodist Church allows the death penalty only for serious crimes. The Presbyterian is openly opposed to the death penalty for any crime. The Methodist recognizes the good deeds of people as a symbol of the strength of their faith, He focuses on facts, not creeds. The Presbyterian believes in justification by grace. They believe that the ‘predestined elect’ are the only thing that will get them to heaven. Methodist is a belief based on tradition. Presbyterians have their unique system of leadership by their elders (or “Presbyterians”). It has its roots in Calvinism (founded by Knox in Scotland). Methodists say that all those people who believe in God will obtain salvation. Presbyterians say that God has already chosen those he wants to save. The Methodist Church allows the death penalty only for serious crimes. The Presbyterian is openly opposed to the death penalty for any crime. The Methodist recognizes the good deeds of people as a symbol of the strength of their faith. He focuses on facts, not creeds. The Presbyterian believes in justification by grace. They believe that the ‘predestined elect’ are the only thing that will get them to heaven. Methodist is a belief based on tradition. Presbyterians have their unique system of leadership by their elders (or “Presbyterians”). It has its roots in Calvinism (founded by Knox in Scotland). Methodists say that all those people who believe in God will obtain salvation. Presbyterians say that God has already chosen those he wants to save. The Methodist Church allows the death penalty only for serious crimes. The Presbyterian is openly opposed to the death penalty for any crime. The Methodist recognizes the good deeds of people as a symbol of the strength of their faith. He focuses on facts, not creeds. The Presbyterian believes in justification by grace. They believe that the ‘predestined elect’ are the only thing that will get them to heaven. Methodist is a belief based on tradition. Presbyterians have their unique system of leadership by their elders (or “Presbyterians”). Presbyterians say that God has already chosen those he wants to save. The Methodist Church allows the death penalty only for serious crimes. The Presbyterian is openly opposed to the death penalty for any crime. The Methodist recognizes the good works of the people as a symbol of the strength of his faith. He focuses on facts, not creeds. The Presbyterian believes in justification by grace. They believe that the ‘predestined elect’ are the only thing that will get them to heaven. Methodist is a belief based on tradition. Presbyterians have their unique system of leadership by their elders (or “Presbyterians”). Presbyterians say that God has already chosen those he wants to save. The Methodist Church allows the death penalty only for serious crimes. The Presbyterian is openly opposed to the death penalty for any crime. The Methodist recognizes the good deeds of people as a symbol of the strength of their faith, He focuses on facts, not creeds. The Presbyterian believes in justification by grace. He believes that the ‘predestined elect’ are the only thing that will get them to heaven. Methodist is a belief based on tradition. Presbyterians have their unique system of leadership by their elders (or “Presbyterians”). The Methodist recognizes the good deeds of people as a symbol of the strength of their faith. He focuses on facts, not creeds. The Presbyterian believes in justification by grace. They believe that the ‘predestined elect’ are the only thing that will get them to heaven. Methodist is a tradition-based belief. Presbyterians have their unique system of leadership by their elders (or “Presbyterians”). The Methodist recognizes the good deeds of people as a symbol of the strength of their faith. He focuses on facts, not creeds. The Presbyterian believes in justification by grace. They believe that the ‘predestined elect’ are the only thing that will get them to heaven. Methodist is a belief based on tradition. Presbyterians have their unique system of leadership by their elders (or “Presbyterians”). They believe that the ‘predestined elect’ are the only thing that will get them to heaven. Methodist is a belief based on tradition. Presbyterians have their unique system of leadership by their elders (or “Presbyterians”). They believe that the ‘predestined elect’ are the only thing that will get them to heaven. Methodist is a belief based on tradition. Presbyterians have their unique system of leadership by their elders (or “Presbyterians”).
Comparison chart
Methodist | Presbyterian |
The Christian belief that all who believe in God will obtain salvation. | The Christian belief that God has already chosen those he wants to save. |
Salvation | |
can be lost again | Once saved, always saved |
Founder | |
John Wesley | John Knox |
Founded in | |
1739 | 1560 |
Death penalty | |
Only for serious crimes | opposes |
What is Methodist?
Methodist is one of the many denominations that exist in Christianity. It is a branch of the Protestant movement. It originated in the British Isles and became popular with Christian followers in the United States. The Methodist movement is founded by John Wesley, who was a British theologian and thinker with his younger brother Charles in the 18th century.Century England. Methodists reject John Calvin’s doctrine of predestination (only certain people are destined for salvation, while all other people are destined or dedicated by God to damnation). Methodists believe that fallen men can ask God for his grace to save themselves. It is important to know how the Methodist Church deals with social problems. Allows the death penalty only for serious crimes. It recognizes the good deeds of the people as a symbol of the strength of their faith. It focuses on facts, not creeds. The Methodist Church employs a worship guide known as ‘The Worship Directory’. Methodists teach that if the believer departs from the teachings of God at any time in his life, despite his salvation bestowed upon him, you can potentially lose it and return to the “unsaved” state. Methodist also says that salvation is for those members who believe in God. The Methodists give the responsibility to their existing pastors to preside over the respective regions of the Methodist churches. They send them to various places in the church.
Important features
- missionary work
- Service through hospitals, schools and orphanages.
- The spread of the gospel.
What is Presbyterian?
The Presbyterian Church is a division of the Protestant Church that is highly influenced by the teachings and beliefs of John Calvin. John Calvin is the great French theologian of the 18th century. John Knox founded the Presbyterian Church in 1560. He was a formal Catholic priest. Presbyterian has its roots in Calvinism. Presbyterians accept the central theological doctrine of Calvinism, which is also called the Doctrine of Grace. The Doctrine of Grace essentially stipulates the qualities of Divine Grace bestowed by God on the elect. Presbyterians have their unique system of leadership by their elders (or “presbyters”). They believe that men need God’s grace for their salvation, but they cannot seek God on their own. Presbyterians say that God has already chosen those he wants to save by believing that the ‘predestined elect’ are the only thing that will get them to heaven. One important thing is how the Presbyterian Church deals with social problems. He openly opposes the death penalty for any crime. Believe in justification by grace. The Presbyterian Church uses the “Book of Discipline” as a worship guide. The Presbyterian faith hires or ‘calls’ pastors to serve the community.
Important features
- God grants salvation to the elect
- salvation is permanent
- Divine grace is unmistakable
Key differences
- Methodist are the denominations in Christianity with the belief that fallen men can ask God for his grace to save themselves, while Presbyterian is the denomination with the belief that men need God’s grace for their salvation, but they cannot seek God by themselves.
- Methodists reject the Calvinist doctrine of predestination (only certain people are destined for salvation, while all other people are destined by God for damnation). On the other hand, Presbyterians accept it.
- Methodists say that all people who believe in God will obtain salvation, conversely, Presbyterians say that God has already chosen whom he wants to save.
- The Methodist Church allows the death penalty only for serious crimes; on the other hand, the Presbyterian is openly opposed to the death penalty for any crime.
- Methodist is a tradition-based belief, while Presbyterians have their unique system of leadership by their elders (or “presbyters”).
Final Thought
Methodists and Presbyterians are the two denominations of Christianity. There are considerable differences in religious teachings and practices between the two.