---
title: 'The Official Powers of the Primitive Presbyters'
type: pdf
hasMedia: true
requiresPurchase: false
authors:
- 'Joseph Addison Alexander, D.D.'
date: 1849-01-01
collection: 'Archives'
subcollection: '19th century'
topics:
- 'Presbyterian Polity'
- 'Ecclesiology'
scriptures:
- 'Acts 20'
- 'Acts 14'
- 'John 21'
url: https://confessional.org/archives/19th-century/alexander-1849-the-official-powers-of-the-primitive-presbyters
---

# The Official Powers of the Primitive Presbyters

Argues that primitive presbyters (elders) held the highest local church authority—oversight, discipline, ordination—based chiefly on Acts 20. Defends presbyterian polity against episcopal claims.

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