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

Paragraph 1 :

56-1. Baptism is not to be unnecessarily delayed; not to be administered, in any case, by any private person; but by a minister of Christ, called to be the steward of the mysteries of God.

[Historical Summary : .]

Background and Comparison :
PCA 1973, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly,
The

Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text,
The

PCUS 1933,


PCUS 1925,


PCUS 1894,

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.