IOverview
Reformed is the umbrella name for the churches that grew from Huldrych Zwingli in Zurich and John Calvin in Geneva. On the European continent they are usually called Reformed. In Scotland and the English speaking world they are called Presbyterian, after their government by elders.
Compared with the Lutherans, this stream went further in removing older ritual and imagery. Its theological centre is the sovereignty of God over every part of life. It left a deep mark on Switzerland, the Netherlands, Scotland, Hungary and New England, and today it is strongest in South Korea, Indonesia and Africa.
IIHistory
Zwingli began preaching in Zurich in 1519, and the city council reformed worship along his lines. He was killed in 1531 in the fighting at Kappel. Calvin, a Frenchman, published his Institutes of the Christian Religion in 1536 and spent most of his life in Geneva, which became a training ground for pastors bound for France, the Netherlands, Scotland and Hungary.
John Knox brought the Reformed faith to Scotland, whose parliament adopted a Reformed confession in 1560. In England the Westminster Assembly produced the Westminster Confession of Faith in 1646, the foundational text of English speaking Presbyterianism. In the Netherlands the Synod of Dort in 1618 and 1619 set out the points later known as the five points of Calvinism.
- 1519Zwingli preaches in ZurichThe Swiss Reformation begins.
- 1536Calvin's InstitutesThe foundational theological work of the Reformed tradition.
- 1560Scotland turns ReformedThe Scottish parliament adopts a confession drafted by Knox and colleagues.
- 1646Westminster ConfessionThe standard text of English speaking Presbyterian churches.
- 2010World Communion of Reformed ChurchesTwo international bodies merge into one common forum.
IIIBeliefs and Distinctives
- Sovereignty of God: God rules over nature, history and salvation.
- Predestination: salvation rests on God's choice, not human merit. How strongly this is stressed varies widely between churches.
- Covenant: God binds himself to his people by covenant, so the children of believers are baptised as infants.
- Scripture governs worship: only what Scripture commands is kept, so statues and much ritual were removed.
On communion Calvin differed from both Luther and Zwingli. Luther taught the real presence of Christ in the bread and wine, Zwingli saw a memorial, and Calvin taught a real but spiritual presence, through the Holy Spirit. In 1973 many European Lutheran and Reformed churches signed the Leuenberg Agreement, recognising each other at the table.
Not necessarily. Elder is an office, from the Greek presbyteros. Elders are members elected by the congregation to share oversight with the minister, and they can be young.
IVWorship, Rites and Daily Life
A traditional Reformed church is plain: no statues, little decoration, and a central pulpit to show that the Word is at the heart of worship. Services revolve around the expository sermon. In the early period many churches sang only metrical psalms, as in the Genevan Psalter.
There are two sacraments, baptism, including infants, and communion. The tradition places high value on education, since everyone should be able to read Scripture, and many universities in Scotland, the Netherlands and the United States grew up in Reformed settings.
VOrganisation and Distribution
Presbyterian government places authority in councils rather than individuals. Each congregation has a session of minister and elders. Above it sits a regional presbytery, then a national general assembly. Major decisions are made by vote.
According to the World Communion of Reformed Churches, in 2025 it gathered 230 churches with about 108.3 million full members, or 147.4 million including associated members. Many conservative Reformed churches stay outside it, so the figure does not cover the whole family.
VIIn Vietnam
According to Nhan Dan newspaper in 2014, Presbyterian Protestantism was introduced to Vietnam in 1968. After 1975 the church suspended its activities and from 1998 gradually resumed. After its first general assembly in 2008 it was recognised by the state as the Presbyterian Church of Vietnam. The Government Committee for Religious Affairs gives 2008 as the year of recognition.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Presbyterian mission introduced to Vietnam |
| After 1975 | Activities suspended |
| From 1998 | Activities gradually resume |
| 2008 | First general assembly and state recognition |
| May 2014 | Second general assembly, 2014 to 2018 term, in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, with over 200 delegates from 22 provinces |
The same 2014 report puts membership at about 17,000 in 22 provinces and cities. The library has not found a more recent sourced figure.
VIISymbol of the Branch
Burning bush
Nec tamen consumebatur / Flagror non consumor
VIIISub-branches
- Presbyterian
- Continental Reformed
- Congregationalist
- United and uniting churches
IXOther Branches of Protestantism
Pentecostal ChurchesPentecostalismThe youngest and fastest growing family, stressing that gifts of the Holy Spirit such as speaking in tongues, healing and prophecy are active today.Reformed and Presbyterian ChurchesReformed, PresbyterianStems from Zwingli in Zurich and Calvin in Geneva.
Anglican CommunionAnglicanismSeparated from Rome in England in 1534, keeping bishops and the Book of Common Prayer.
Methodist ChurchesMethodismGrew from John Wesley's movement within 18th-century Anglicanism and became separate after 1791.
Lutheran ChurchesLutherische KircheThe first family, beginning with Martin Luther in 1517, with the Augsburg Confession of 1530 as its basic creed.
BaptistsBaptistsBegins with John Smyth in Amsterdam in 1609.Uses the common symbol of the path
Seventh-day AdventistsSeventh-day Adventist ChurchFormed in 19th-century America from the movement awaiting Christ's return.
Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA)Christian and Missionary AllianceFounded by A.
Anabaptist and Mennonite ChurchesAnabaptism, MennonitesBegan in Zurich on 21 January 1525.XSources
The library cross-checks the sources below. Where they disagree, the page gives both.
?Quick Questions
What is the difference between Reformed and Presbyterian?
They are the same tradition. On the Continent it is usually called Reformed, in Scotland and the English speaking world Presbyterian, after its government by councils of elders.
How did Calvin differ from Luther?
Both taught justification by faith. The clearest difference is communion: Luther taught Christ's real presence in the bread and wine, Calvin a real but spiritual presence. Calvin's heirs also removed more ritual and imagery.
When was the Presbyterian Church recognised in Vietnam?
The Presbyterian Church of Vietnam was recognised in 2008, according to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs. Nhan Dan reported about 17,000 members in 22 provinces in 2014.
Do Presbyterians baptise children?
Yes. Because they stress God's covenant with believing families, Reformed and Presbyterian churches baptise the children of believers, usually by sprinkling or pouring.