Question and Answer
Bible Presbyterian Church
Question:
How is the OPC different from the Bible Presbyterian Church? What does it mean when your website says that the BP Church is more fundamentalist and evangelical, whereas the OPC is more Reformed?
Answer:
The Bible Presbyterian Church separated from the OPC in 1937 over the issues of premillennialism and the beverage use of alcohol. Relations are now very cordial. The OPC frequently receives official greetings from the Bible Presbyterian Church, and there have been some moves in recent years toward bringing the two denominations together. For further information contact Dr. George W. Knight, who chairs the Committee on Ecumenicity and Interchurch Relations.
In general, fundamentalists hold to the fundamentals of the faith and may not emphasize so much the distinctives of the Reformed faith: the five points of Calvinism, covenant theology, that "God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in any thing contrary to His Word; or beside it, if matters of faith or worship" (Westminster Confession of Faith 20:2). The OPC takes no position on the various millennial views, and leaves the issue of the moderate use of beverage alcohol up to the individual conscience.
About Q&A
"Questions and Answers" is a weekly feature of the OPC website. The answers come from individual ministers in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church expressing their own convictions and do not necessarily represent an "official" position of the Church, especially in areas where the Standards of the Church (the Scriptures and the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms) are silent.
The questions come from individuals like yourself. If you have questions about biblical and theological matters, you are invited to send them by e-mail by using the "Pose a Question" link on the OPC home page or by clicking here.
At least one new question is posted each week, so there should always be something new here for you to read. (For those people who would like to look at previous questions and answers, they will continue to be available as well.)
The purpose of the OPC website's "Questions and Answers" is to respond to biblical and theological questions. Matters of church discipline, disputes, or debates go beyond the scope of our work. We recommend that you present your concerns in these areas to the appropriate judicatory. In most cases this will be to a local pastor, elder, or session. We do not want the website to replace personal involvement in, or commitment to, the local, visible church.
While we will respond to every serious questioner, we are not bound to give a substantive answer to every question, should we deem the question to be beyond the scope of our purpose or our own ability to answer.
You will receive an answer by e-mail. Please be patient as many of our respondents are busy pastors. The response to your question may take up to two (2) weeks. Some of the questions submitted will be chosen to be posted here, along with the corresponding answers.
Note that the "Questions and Answers" posted on the site have been edited—all personal references are removed, Scripture references or from some source may be added, and sometimes portions are expanded—to make the questions and answers more useful to a larger audience.
