53-5. By way of application of the sermon the minister may urge his hearers by commandment or invitation to repent of their sins, to put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, and to confess him publicly before men.

DIGEST : Dates to 1975.

BACKGROUND AND COMPARISONS :
No comparable text in the following editions:
1. PCA 1973, Adopted text, DfW 6-5 [M1GA, Appendix, p. 157]
2. Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, DfW Proposed text,
3. PCUS 1933, DfW
4. PCUS 1925, DfW
5. PCUS 1894, DfW

COMMENTARY:
Morton H. Smith, Commentary on the Book of Church Order, 6th edition, 2007, p. 424.
This paragraph was added by the PCA. It encourages ministers to call upon sinners to repent and to put their trust in Christ as Savior. People who thus come to Christ are to make a public confession of him before men.