ReformedEducation

Denomination

Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America

Theological posture

Confessional Reformed

Holds a Reformed confession (the Westminster Standards, the Three Forms of Unity or the 1689 Baptist Confession) as its standard.

Doctrinal basis. Commits to the Bible as the inerrant, infallible Word of God; accepts the Westminster Standards as subordinate standards and the RPCNA Testimony as its continuing application of Scripture.

Points to weigh

  • Its worship (psalms only, no instruments) differs from most Presbyterian churches, including the PCA and OPC.
  • Its membership figure (about 100 congregations and 7,000 members as of 2021) comes from Wikipedia; the denomination’s own page gives no figure.

Classification and points to weigh are reformededucation.org's judgments from the sources listed below. They describe and do not endorse; confirm current details with the institution.

About

Presbyterian denomination of Covenanter heritage, known for exclusive psalmody without instruments and for confessing Christ as King over church and state. It has sister churches in Ireland, Scotland, Australia and Canada, and its institutions include Geneva College, Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Crown & Covenant Publications.

Details

Abbreviation
RPCNA
Tradition
Presbyterian
Founded
First congregation organized in North America in 1743; the RPCNA itself organized in Philadelphia in 1798; roots in the Scottish Covenanters and the Seceders
Confessional standards
The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, together with the RPCNA Testimony, which it calls its continuing application of Scripture to the world and church today
Polity
Presbyterian: elders in each congregation, presbyteries and Synod
Size (as reported)
About 100 congregations and 7,000 members as of 2021 (reported by Wikipedia)
What it believes and practices
  • Exclusive psalmody: congregational praise uses only the Book of Psalms, sung without musical instruments.
  • Confesses the kingship of Christ over the state as well as the church, from its Covenanter heritage (‘Christ’s Crown and Covenant’).
  • Adds its own Testimony to the Westminster Standards.
  • Sees reading and exposition of the Word as the center of worship.
Sources consulted
Website
reformedpresbyterian.org/convictions