The distinctive features of Presbyterian and Reformed churches have historically been:

1. Acceptance of the Bible as the fully reliable written word of God, the judge of all teaching and behaviour as well as church government (2 Timothy 3:16). In other words, the Bible is the Supreme Standard.

2. The public setting forth of the church's understanding of the teaching of Scripture in a Confession of Faith which is adhered to by all office-bearers (Titus 1:5,9 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 John 4:1-3). The Westminster Confession of 1647, sometimes with variations, is the principal subordinate standard of churches of Scottish origin. Confessions are intended to be a witness to the world, a rallying point for those agreed, a defence against error and a safeguard for the people of God. Church members are not usually required to subscribe the confession as a prerequisite for membership, but subscription is required of office-bearers. If subscription vows are not made intelligently and honestly or if the church does not insist upon its confession being maintained, the church is in peril.

3. The allowance of only two orders of office-bearers - elders or overseers, of whom the minister is one (1 Timothy 5:17), who are equal in ruling power and who oversee the spiritual needs; and deacons, who care for the poor and look after the finances (Acts 14:23; Acts 6:1-6; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13). The word presbyterian comes from the Greek word for an elder (presbuteros). The officer in the New Testament called a bishop or overseer (the Greek word is episcopos) is just the elder described in terms of his work rather than his maturity (Titus 1:5-7; Timothy 3; Acts 20:13,28). The idea of a higher order of 'bishop' above the presbyter as found in the Eastern Orthodox, Roman and Anglican communions is not perceived by Presbyterians as the original New Testament pattern but a subsequent development.

4. The unity of the church being expressed through a system of representative assemblies of elders, thus allowing for united action and for difficulties to be resolved in an orderly way (Acts 15). The basis of all action is the Bible, and the elders administer according to the rules Christ has given in his word. The elders in the local congregation form the Session; representative elders from congregations in a region form the Presbytery; a Synod (provincial in scope) or Assembly (usually national in scope) includes commissioners from the presbyteries.