Note : In 1981, chapters 56, 57 and 58 were given constitutional status
[cf. M8GA (1980), III, Item 9, p. 118 and M9GA (1981), 9-65, Item 6, p. 137]

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 :
1. PCA 1973, DfW 11-3, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, p. 159
2. 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.

1. PCUS 1933, DfW, XI, § 352
2. PCUS 1929, 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
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.

COMMENTARY:
Morton H. Smith, Commentary on the Book of Church Order, 6th edition, 2007, p. 395
Though the Session is [the] body which takes the action of admitting a person to the church, when an unbaptized person comes to make profession of his faith, he shall ordinarily be requested to make the same before the congregation, and then be baptized. The Session does not abdicate its authority in receiving such a person into membership. Rather, this is giving the convert the opportunity to make a public confession of his faith as called for by Rom. 10:9-10.