Noun
That form of church government which invests presbyters with all spiritual power, and admits no prelates over them; also, the faith and polity of the Presbyterian churches, taken collectively.
Source: Webster's dictionaryCalvin's follower John Knox brought Presbyterianism to Scotland when the Scottish church was reformed in 1560. Source: Internet
Despite the numerous denominations, by the late 1830s the synod connected to the Church of Scotland was the main expression of Presbyterianism in Upper Canada. Source: Internet
Beyond that, practices vary: sometimes elders are elected by the congregation, Catholic Encyclopedia 1914, Presbyterianism by J. A. MCHUGH. Source: Internet
His influence, combined with the Calvinistic Presbyterianism of her childhood, caused her great unease. Source: Internet
By this time, mutual suspicion had developed between Parliament, which favoured army disbandment and Presbyterianism, and the New Model Army, which was primarily officered by Independent non-conformists who sought a greater political role. Source: Internet
Cromwell rejected the Scottish model of Presbyterianism, which threatened to replace one authoritarian hierarchy with another. Source: Internet