Question:

How is the OPC different from the Bible Presbyterian Church? What does it mean when your website says that the BP Church is more fundamentalist and evangelical, whereas the OPC is more Reformed?

Answer:

The Bible Presbyterian Church separated from the OPC in 1937 over the issues of premillennialism and the beverage use of alcohol. Relations are now very cordial. The OPC frequently receives official greetings from the Bible Presbyterian Church, and there have been some moves in recent years toward bringing the two denominations together. For further information contact Dr. George W. Knight, who chairs the Committee on Ecumenicity and Interchurch Relations.

In general, fundamentalists hold to the fundamentals of the faith and may not emphasize so much the distinctives of the Reformed faith: the five points of Calvinism, covenant theology, that "God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in any thing contrary to His Word; or beside it, if matters of faith or worship" (Westminster Confession of Faith 20:2). The OPC takes no position on the various millennial views, and leaves the issue of the moderate use of beverage alcohol up to the individual conscience.