Definitions for "Presbyterians"
members of a Protestant sect that eventually became the established church of Scotland but in the 17th century was sometimes persecuted by Scotland's rulers
believed that the power of the church was a group responsibility. Assemblies of elected Elders or Presbyters controlled their congregations. Presbyterianism was very strong in Scotland and it was based on the teaching of John Calvin (1509-64) which emphasised predestination