COMMENTARY :
F.P. Ramsay, Exposition of the Book of Church Order (1898, p. 124), on VI-2-2 :
100.--II. Ordination is the authoritative admission of one duly called to an office in the Church of God, accompanied with prayer and the imposition of hands, to which it is proper to add the giving of the right hand of fellowship.
A defect in the ceremony, as such, would not render the ordination invalid, provided there is an authoritative admission of one duly called.
The Historical Development of the PCA Book of Church Order
Chapter 17 : Doctrine of Ordination
Paragraph 2 : Ordination Defined
17-2. Ordination is the authoritative admission of one duly called to an office in the Church of God, accompanied with prayer and the laying on of hands, to which it is proper to add the giving of the right hand of fellowship.
[Historical Summary : The current PCA text dates to PCUS 1925, which revised the earlier language of PCUS 1879.]
Background and Comparison :
1. PCA 1973, 18-2, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, p. 137
2. Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, 18-2, Proposed text, p. 21
3. PCUS 1933, XX, § 100
4. PCUS 1925, XX, § 100
Ordination is the authoritative admission of one duly called to an office in the Church of God, accompanied with prayer and the laying on of hands, to which it is proper to add the giving of the right hand of fellowship.
PCUS 1879, VI-2-2
Ordination is the authoritative admission of one duly called to an office in the Church of God, accompanied with prayer and the imposition of hands, to which it is proper to add the giving of the right hand of fellowship.
PCUS 1869 draft, VI-2-3
Ordination is the solemn authoritative admission of one duly called to an office in the Church of God, with, prayer and the imposition of hands; to which it is proper to add the giving of the right hand of fellowship.
The
PCUS 1867 draft, VI-2-4
Ordination is the solemn setting apart of a candidate to an office in the church of God, by a prayer of consecration and the imposition of hands; to which it is proper to add the giving of the right hand of fellowship.
Chapter Index [links to Par. 1 of each chapter]: |
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FoG
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I. King & Head of Church
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.§1. |
RoD
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II. Preliminary Principles
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DfW |
47 |
48 |
49 |
50 |
51 |
52 |
53 |
54 |
55 |
56 |
59 |
60 |
61 |
62 |
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[FoG = Form of Government ; RoD = Rules of Discipline ; DfW = Directory for Worship] |
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