The Historical Development of the Book of Church Order

Chapter 57 : The Admission of Persons to Sealing Ordinances

Paragraph 3 : Of Unbaptized Persons

57-3. When unbaptized persons apply for admission into the Church, they shall, ordinarily, after giving satisfaction with respect to their knowledge and piety, make a public profession of their faith, in the presence of the congregation, and thereupon be baptized.

DIGEST :The second sentence found in PCA 1973, 11-3 was deleted in 1981, in effect returning this paragraph to its original form.

BACKGROUND AND COMPARISONS :
PCA 1973, DfW 11-3, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, p. 159
and
Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, DfW 11-3, Proposed text, p. 71
When unbaptized persons apply for admission into the Church, they shall, ordinarily, after giving satisfaction with respect to their knowledge and piety, make a public profession of their faith, in the presence of the congregation, and thereupon be baptized. In addition, answering the Constitutional questions for admission, all persons making their profession of faith should testify to the Session in their own words as to their Christian experience.

PCUS 1933, DfW, XI, § 352
When unbaptized persons apply for admission into the Church, they shall, ordinarily, after giving satisfaction with respect to their knowledge and piety, make a public profession of their faith, in the presence of the congregation, and thereupon be baptized.

1. PCUS 1925, DfW, X-3, § 343
2. PCUS 1894, DfW, X-3
3. PCUSA 1823, DfW IX-4
and
4. PCUSA 1797, DfW IX-4
When unbaptized persons apply for admission into the church, they shall, in ordinary cases, after giving satisfaction with respect to their knowledge and piety, make a public profession of their faith, in the presence of the congregation, and thereupon be baptized.