The Historical Development of the Book of Church Order

Chapter 56 : The Administration of Baptism
(The Baptism of Infants and Children)

Paragraph 2 :

56-2. It is not to be privately administered, but in the presence of the congregation under the supervision of the Session.

DIGEST :

BACKGROUND AND COMPARISONS :
PCA 1975, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, p. 83
It is not to be privately administered, but in the presence of the congregation under the supervision of the session.

PCA 1973, text for 10-3, as printed in the Appendix of the Minutes of General Assembly, p. 158
Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text, Directory for Worship, 10-3
PCUS, DfW, X-3 (§345), p. 170.
Baptism is ordinarily to be administered in the church in the presence of the congregation; yet there may be occasions when it is expedient to administer this ordinance elsewhere, of which the minister is to be the judge.

PCUS 1925,


PCUS 1894, IX-2, p. 112
It is usually to be administered in the church, in the presence of the congregation.

PCUS 1885, Third Revision of the Directory of Worship, III-2
Baptism is not to be unnecessarily delayed, nor to be administered in any case by a private person, but by a minister of the word, and, ordinarily, by the minister of that particular church with which the household is connected. It is usually to be administered in the presence of the congregation, on the Lord’s day, yet there may be cases when it will be expedient to administer this ordinance in private houses, of which the minister is the judge.

PCUSA, 1789-1839, VII-2, p. 193.
It is usually to be administered in the Church in the presence of the Congregation; and it is convenient that it be performed immediately after sermon.
and the final paragraph of Sect. V. (VII-5), p. 194:
Although it is proper, that baptism be administered in the presence of the Congregation : yet there may be cases, when it will be expedient to administer this ordinance in private houses; of which the Minister is to be the Judge.

PCUSA, 1786 draft, ¶-2, p. 76.
It is usually to be administered in the Church, in the presence of the Congregation; and it is convenient that it be performed immediately after sermon.
and ¶-16, p. 79.
It is proper, that baptism be administered in the presence of the Congregation : yet there may be cases, when it will be expedient to administer this ordinance in private houses ; of which the Minister is to be the Judge.

OTHER COMPARISIONS :
OPC 2011