The Southern Presbyterian Church is a small denomination with a community of about 130 persons located exclusively in
Tasmania
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, nickname =
, image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdi ...
, Australia. It formed in 1986 when two ministers (one of whom died a few months later) and a number of members left the
Evangelical Presbyterian Church because of a difference of belief over doctrinal issues.
As of 2021, the Southern Presbyterian Church had two congregations: one in
Glenorchy and one in
Launceston. Public worship is conducted with Scripture reading, preaching, prayer, and the
unaccompanied singing of Psalms. The Southern Presbyterian Church uses the
King James Version
The King James Version (KJV), also the King James Bible (KJB) and the Authorized Version, is an Bible translations into English, English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England, which was commissioned in 1604 and publis ...
of the Bible in public worship. Its supreme standard is the Bible according to the
Received Text
''Textus Receptus'' (Latin: "received text") refers to all printed editions of the Greek New Testament from Erasmus's ''Novum Instrumentum omne'' (1516) to the 1633 Elzevir edition. It was the most commonly used text type for Protestant denomi ...
, but they, according to Ward and Humphreys, "in other respects are close to the
PCEA in orientation" with whom it is exploring closer relations.
Reconciliation with Evangelical Presbyterian Church
In March 2019, a joint meeting with officer bearers of the EPC and the SPC sought to repair damaged relations between the two denominations due to the historic split from decades before. The statement said in part:
We of the EPCA and SPCA, as we consider our two histories as churches, acknowledge before the Lord Jesus, the Head of the Church, that while there were honourable principles and legitimate concerns involved, and while there was a desire on both sides for the good of Christ Jesus’ cause, there was also sin committed by all those involved in the events which led to a separation and alienation of brethren a generation ago.Together we acknowledge that those sad events of yesteryear have harmed the name and cause of Christ Jesus and have hurt and caused to stumble various of His children.
...
We therefore, in the spirit of Christian and brotherly love, jointly publish this statement, and extend the right hand of fellowship to one another, seeking to offer mutual respect and care, and to work together as able, to honour and uphold Christ in our two churches and our future relationship The Presbyterian Banner, June 2019, page 12
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See also
*
List of Presbyterian and Reformed denominations in Australia
A number of Presbyterian and Reformed denominations exist in Australia.
List
Active
Notes:
* "Bible translation" column refers to versions of the Bible accepted. See also: King James Only movement
* "Singing" column refers to the manner in ...
References
External links
Southern Presbyterian Church Website
{{Authority control
Christian organizations established in 1986
Presbyterian denominations in Australia
Presbyterian denominations established in the 20th century
1986 establishments in Australia