The Historical Development of the Book of Church Order

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

Deleted text(s)

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.

DIGEST :

BACKGROUND AND COMPARISONS :
PCA 1975, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, p. 83 [note the addition of a comma after "administered"]
Baptism is not be be unnecessarily delayed; nor 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.

Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text, Directory for Worship, 10-2
PCUS, DfW, X-2 (§344), p. 170.
Baptism is not to be unnecessarily delayed, nor 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.

PCUS 1925,

PCUS 1894, IX-1, p. 111-112
Baptism is not to be unnecessarily delayed; nor 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.

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, VII-1, p. 193.
Baptism is not to be unnecessarily delayed; nor 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.

PCUSA, 1786 draft, ¶-1, p. 76.
Baptism is not to be unnecessarily delayed, nor 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.