The Church of Scotland

Origins and History

In spite of the fact, that the identity of the Church of Scotland was shaped during the period of the Scottish Reformation of 1560, its roots date from the times of the earliest Christians in Scotland. Through the period of the Reformation, the Church of Scotland broke with the Roman Catholic Church. This process was Protestant reform. It was led by John Knox.

While Knox lived in Geneva, Switzerland, he was exposed the principals of John Calvin. With these principals, he reformed the doctrines and government of the Church of Scotland. Knox wrote his First Book of Discipline. But in 1560, when the papal jurisdiction was abolished and the Calvin’s Confession of Faith approved, many of the principals, written in the book of Knox were not accepted. These principals argued that all of the assets of the old church should pass to the new.

In the same year- 1560, the crown didn’t ratify the Reformation Settlement, as also the Church Government question was left unsolved.

James VI approved them in 1572. In this year, the acts of 1560 finally gave result. The crown was allowed to appoint bishops with the approval of the Church of Scotland, by the Concordat of Leith. During this time Knox, preferred to see the office of bishop renamed as 'superintendents', not having any clear views of it . At the same time, headed by Andrew Melville, emerged a Presbyterian party as a response to the new Concordat. Andrew Melville became the author of the Second Book of Discipline.

The Church of Scotland Today

The Word of God is the basis of faith for the Church of Scotland. It is viewed to be ‘contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament’. The Westminster Confession of Faith (1647) is the principal subordinate standard of the Church of Scotland.

Following the teachings and examples of the Lord Jesus Christ, through love and worship is central to the Church of Scotland. In the central faith section can be found more about the foundations of the faith, as also an introduction to the Lord Jesus Christ, a guide to how they worship, what can be expected when you attend a Church of Scotland service, and how to become a member.