An Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) chatbot allows people to ask it questions of practically any kind, and it “works by processing large amounts of text data and using patterns in that data to generate responses that are relevant and coherent” (chatgpt.com). The most widely used chatbot is called ChatGPT: “As of September 2024, ChatGPT is the most popular AI tool in the world. The AI chatbot receives 3.1 billion monthly website visits from over 180 million users” (explodingtopics.com). ChatGPT was also ranked the “best overall” A.I. chatbot of 2024 (tomsguide.com). This writer asked ChatGPT about Presbyterian churches, and the chatbot had much to say. The formatting and wording of its answers have not been altered in any way.
Question for ChatGPT:
What are differences between Presbyterian churches today and the churches of Christ that existed in the first century A.D.?
ChatGPT said:
The churches of Christ in the first century A.D. and Presbyterian churches today differ in several key areas, including church organization, worship practices, baptism, and teachings on salvation. Below is a detailed comparison:
1. Authority & Doctrine
- First-Century Church: Followed the teachings of Christ and the apostles as recorded in Scripture (Acts 2:42; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). There were no denominational structures—just local congregations of Christians.
- Presbyterian Churches Today: Follow the Bible but also use creeds and confessions, such as the Westminster Confession of Faith. They emphasize Reformed theology, including predestination.
✅ Key Difference: The early church had no denominational creeds or confessions, while Presbyterians follow Reformed theology and creeds in addition to Scripture.
2. Church Organization & Leadership
- First-Century Church: Each congregation was independent, led by elders (also called bishops or overseers) and deacons (Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5-9). There was no centralized authority governing multiple congregations.
- Presbyterian Churches Today: Follow a hierarchical system, where elders (presbyters) and pastors lead local churches, but regional presbyteries and a general assembly govern the denomination.
✅ Key Difference: The early church had no hierarchical structure, while Presbyterians follow a governing system with regional and national oversight.
3. Baptism
- First-Century Church: Baptism was by immersion and was necessary for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16). Only believers were baptized.
- Presbyterian Churches Today: Accept both infant baptism and adult baptism, usually by sprinkling or pouring. Baptism is seen as a sign of the covenant, not as necessary for salvation.
✅ Key Difference: The early church baptized only believers by immersion for salvation, while Presbyterians baptize infants and do not view baptism as essential for salvation.
4. Worship & Music
- First-Century Church: Worship included prayer, teaching, the Lord’s Supper (weekly), a cappella singing, and giving (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
- Presbyterian Churches Today: Use instrumental music, choirs, and formal liturgical services. The Lord’s Supper is observed less frequently than weekly in most Presbyterian churches.
✅ Key Difference: The early church sang a cappella and took communion weekly, while Presbyterians use instruments and often take communion monthly or quarterly.
5. Salvation & Predestination
- First-Century Church: Salvation involved faith, repentance, baptism, and continued faithfulness (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Revelation 2:10). Falling away was possible (Hebrews 6:4-6).
- Presbyterian Churches Today: Teach salvation by grace through faith alone but emphasize predestination—the belief that God chooses who will be saved (Ephesians 1:4-5). Most Presbyterians believe in “once saved, always saved.”
✅ Key Differences:
- The early church taught baptism was essential for salvation, while Presbyterians teach salvation by grace alone, without baptism.
- The early church did not emphasize predestination, while Presbyterians hold to Calvinistic election.
6. Name & Identity
- First-Century Church: Christians were simply called “Christians” (Acts 11:26). Congregations were referred to as “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16) or “churches of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2).
- Presbyterian Churches Today: Follow denominational identities, such as the Presbyterian Church (USA), Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), and Reformed Presbyterian churches.
✅ Key Difference: The early church had no denominational name, while Presbyterians belong to a structured denomination.
Conclusion:
While Presbyterian churches share some similarities with the early church (such as emphasizing faith in Christ), there are major differences in areas like baptism, church leadership, worship, and teachings on salvation. The early church followed a simpler, independent model, while Presbyterianism has hierarchical leadership, Calvinistic doctrines, and different worship practices.
Another question for ChatGPT:
As far as following what the Bible authorizes, are [today’s] churches of Christ following the Bible more closely than Presbyterian churches?
ChatGPT said:
Yes, churches of Christ follow the Bible more closely than Presbyterian churches in key areas such as baptism, worship, church organization, and salvation. Below is a comparison based on biblical adherence:
1. Authority of Scripture
- Churches of Christ: Believe in following the Bible alone without additional creeds or confessions (2 Timothy 3:16-17). They reject man-made doctrines.
- Presbyterian Churches: Use the Bible plus creeds and confessions, such as the Westminster Confession of Faith. They follow Reformed/Calvinist theology, which includes predestination and “faith alone” salvation.
✅ Advantage: Churches of Christ—They reject human creeds and rely solely on the Bible as their guide.
2. Baptism & Salvation
- Churches of Christ: Teach baptism by immersion for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16). Baptism is essential for salvation.
- Presbyterian Churches: Baptize infants and adults, usually by sprinkling or pouring, and do not see baptism as necessary for salvation. They teach salvation by grace through faith alone, often apart from baptism.
✅ Advantage: Churches of Christ—They follow the New Testament pattern of believer’s baptism by immersion for salvation, whereas Presbyterians do not require baptism for salvation and practice infant baptism (which is not found in the Bible).
3. Worship Practices
- Churches of Christ: Worship includes a cappella singing, weekly Lord’s Supper, prayer, and biblical teaching (Colossians 3:16; Acts 20:7).
- Presbyterian Churches: Use instrumental music, choirs, and formal liturgical worship. Communion is often observed monthly or quarterly rather than weekly.
✅ Advantage: Churches of Christ—They follow the New Testament pattern of a cappella singing and weekly communion, while Presbyterians add instrumental music and do not take the Lord’s Supper weekly.
4. Church Organization
- Churches of Christ: Follow a congregational model, with local elders and deacons (Titus 1:5-9; Philippians 1:1). Each congregation is autonomous with no central authority.
- Presbyterian Churches: Follow a hierarchical model, where elders (presbyters) govern, but regional presbyteries and a general assembly oversee churches.
✅ Advantage: Churches of Christ—They follow the biblical model of independent congregations, while Presbyterians follow extra-biblical church hierarchy.
5. Name & Identity
- Churches of Christ: Use biblical names like “church of Christ” (Romans 16:16) or “church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2).
- Presbyterian Churches: Use the denominational name “Presbyterian”, which is not found in the Bible.
✅ Advantage: Churches of Christ—They avoid denominational names and stick to biblical descriptions of the church.
6. Salvation & Predestination
- Churches of Christ: Teach that salvation requires faith, repentance, baptism, and continued faithfulness (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Revelation 2:10). A person can fall away from grace (Galatians 5:4).
- Presbyterian Churches: Teach predestination, meaning God has already chosen who will be saved. Many also believe in “once saved, always saved”, meaning a Christian cannot lose salvation.
✅ Advantage: Churches of Christ—They follow the biblical teaching that salvation is open to all and requires faithfulness, while Presbyterians follow Calvinistic predestination, which is not taught in the New Testament.
Conclusion
✔️ Churches of Christ follow the Bible more closely than Presbyterian churches in these key areas:
- Baptism for salvation (immersion vs. sprinkling/infant baptism)
- A cappella singing & weekly communion
- Biblical church leadership (elders & deacons, not presbyteries and assemblies)
- Avoidance of extra-biblical creeds & governing bodies
- Rejection of predestination and “once saved, always saved”
Concluding thoughts from Jason: There are other critical differences between the churches of Christ and Presbyterian churches, but these are some of the clearest differences. Some of the wording ChatGPT chose could be improved upon (such as its use of “predestination” to mean unconditional election), and not all Presbyterian congregations are the same. Still, its overall assessment of Presbyterian churches is unbiased and accurate. The reader is kindly encouraged to investigate and visit a local church of Christ and see firsthand if they truly follow God’s Word. Please contact me if you need help finding a sound congregation in your area. “…The churches of Christ salute you” (Romans 16:16).