Calling it an act of “full obedience to Biblical authority,” a 492-member congregation in Puerto Rico left the Presbyterian Church (USA) this past Sunday and is seeking membership in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
Formerly known as Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana en Bayamón (First Presbyterian Church in Bayamon), the church, now with a new name — Iglesia Presbiteriana Westminster (Westminster Presbyterian Church) — will hold all of its worship services and ministries at the American School, in Bayamón.
According to a press release from the church, the mass resignation from the PCUSA was taken “mostly due to the arbitrary and repressive positions assumed by the Commission for Evaluation, Education and Resolution of the Presbytery of San Juan, after the Bayamon congregation communicated their opposition to the position assumed by the PCUSA regarding: 1) the authority of the Holy Scriptures, 2) the centrality of the work of Christ, 3) abortion, 4) same-sex marriage, and 5) the ordination of homosexuals, among other topics; and requested to transfer their membership to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) denomination in the United States.”
At its Jan. 31 meeting San Juan Presbytery presented a resolution to remove Pastor Emeritus Juan Pérez Alda, who pastored the church for more than 30 years, from all ties to the congregation and its voluntary services, and several recommendations were left pending action by the presbytery, including: to deny their transfer to the EPC, to relieve the congregation-elected governing officials (the Session of Elders) of their duties, and to relieve Senior Pastor Rev. Juan Ramón Rivera Medina of his duties.
“In light of this oppressive situation, the session, myself, and the congregation have decided to obey the Word of the Lord. We did not want to submit to the theologically liberal policies of our former denomination, and as faithful believers in the Word, we decided to leave behind all material possessions and carry firmly onward,” said Pastor Juan Ramón Rivera Medina.
The press release invites “the entire Christian community that defends Biblical authority … to join us in prayer.” Prayer meetings will be held at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, and the worship services at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays, in the facilities of American School, on Urb. Hermanas Dávila, C-1, Calle 9. For more information, access: Facebook/Iglesia Presbiteriana Westminster. Office: Tel. 787-228-1749.
21 Comments. Leave new
One wonders what other form hell the presbytery is going put them through to keep their own building.
The Presbytery of San Juan claims freedom of conscience, but if we have a fallen, sinful nature, what good is our conscience apart from the perfect, authoritative Word of God?! Also, they claim “love among brethren”, but in disobedience to God’s Word, how good that “love” can be? ¡Firmes y Adelante!
Bravo, Zulu for leaving the Apostasy, and the apostates have their reward in the Lake of Fire, Rev. 20 and 21.
The bible say: “They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean”
God Bless this Church congregation and his Pastor.
They apparently are not worried about keeping the building. They’re working on a bigger building — the one of God.
Their list of five grievances against PCUSA is a welcome reminder that it is far more than the issue of marriage redefinition that is driving the spiritual implosion of the denomination.
In God we trust and His mercy is forever!!!
I LOVE this act of faith!
This church has set a powerful precedent in Puerto Rico for other Biblically-faithful congregations trapped in the PCUSA to follow. The latter body is heading towards apostasy, and it is imperative for churches that submit to the authority of the Scriptures to leave this sinking ship that the Lord has called ICHABOD.
All the San Juan Presbytery can do (and is doing at the moment) is issue letters and use John Calvin quotes to try to intimidate the other churches into staying.
I live in Hawaii for the last 28 years and I now worship at Calvary Chapelea West Oahu, but the first 18 years of my live was dedicated to this church. My pastor and great mentor Perez work hard as well as many of us to have this temple. YES I know God got something better is very hard. Please Pray.
All that I can say at the moment, having no bone in this situation, is that the Presbytery has showed transparency so far on its dealings. I saw the report and some of the evidence. It is clear that this is not purely an issue of biblical faith (the Laymen itself publised that this Presbytery voted against the marriage redefinition ammendment). Please, inform yourselves before commenting. We are probably dealing with church leaders who have deceived the Presbytery and their own congregation. I prefer to wait and to be informed than to sin of bearing false witness to those (wherever they stand)who follow the Gospel.
Charisma News is also reporting on this event: http://www.charismanews.com/world/48335-puerto-rico-presbyterian-church-exits-denomination-over-homosexuality
I like to know, just for my personal knowledge, why they have the right to take the church when they didn’t do anything for it. Please someone answer this question
That’s the same question that I have; why these pastoral leaders have the right to take the church with them when they didn’t do anything for it besides betraying the congregation they were called to serve. Please someone answer this question.
It is a great step! Glory to the Lord! I am proud of our congregation, our resignation to PCUSA was a clear message that we will stand on the Holy Scriptures.
Me too, everything was left behind: temple, houses, bank accounts. We just follow our God and we thank him for all the blessings. He is taking care of us!
Still wondering why the Layman has refused to publish the Presbytery’s position on this matter. Afraid of revealing the true agenda of an “evangelical” newspaper that does not really support those who believe strongly in bíblical faith but attempts solely to capitalize on the detstruction of the denomination?
I have been a member of The Church in Bayamon for moré than 30 years. I must day that this is a very dad situation. We decide to follow The WORD of God. The building, banco accounts, homes and other things are not relevant at this point. Our Lord has provided!!!!!
I strongly believe Ms Carmen Garcia that there is no need to mislead the true issue by insinuating that you are dealing with Pastors that have deceived the Presbytery and congregation as you state in your comment !!!
We are following the Word of God and Hod will reveal the truth
May God bless you all
I am saddened that this part of the body of Christ no longer wants to fellowship with the rest of us, because we interpret Scripture differently than they do. We all believe in the authority of God’s Word, but we do differ on how much of the Biblical social culture carries over to today. We no longer espouse slavery as we once did. We no longer believe that women cannot be in places of leadership within the church, as we once did. Taking the whole Bible literally, will lead you to a very lonely and God-forsaken place. The emphasis in Scripture is to love one another; we are not the judge, Christ is. His most condeming words were for those who used the Scriptures to judge others. Major in love. Act out love. Quit your quarreling and love the world as God did in Christ.
the Layman has for years fanned the flames of discontent within our Denomination.