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]

57-6. Persons received from other churches by letters of dismissal as well as those being received by reaffirmation of faith should give a testimony of their Christian experience to the Session. Their names are to be announced to the congregation with a recommendation of them to its Christian confidence and affection.

DIGEST : Historical Summary : The PCUS 1894 text remained unchanged up until the revision of 1929. Thus PCUS 1929 & PCUS 1933 have the addition of "...or by reaffirmation of faith," which addition then survived into PCA usage. The current PCA text remains unchanged from that of PCA 1975, where the first sentence of this paragraph was rewritten (M3GA, 3-89, p. 97).

BACKGROUND AND COMPARISONS :
1. PCA 1973, DfW, 11-6, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, p. 159
2. Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, DfW, 11-6, Proposed text, p. [72]
Persons received from other churches by letters of dismission should give a testimony of their experience to the Session, as well as those being received by reaffirmation of faith. Their names are
to be announced to the congregation, with a recommendation of them to its Christian confidence and affection.

1. PCUS 1933, DfW, XI, § 355
2. PCUS 1929, DfW, XI, § 355
When persons are received from other churches by letters of dismission or by reaffirmation of faith, their names are to be announced to the congregation, with a recommendation of them to its Christian confidence and affection.

1. PCUS 1927, DfW, X-6, § 346
2. PCUS 1894, DfW, X-6
When persons are received from other churches by letters of dismission, their names are
to be announced to the congregation, with a recommendation of them to its Christian confidence and affection.

COMMENTARY:
Morton H. Smith, Commentary on the Book of Church Order, 6th edition, 2007, p. 438
In order to guard against the reception by transfer of letter of persons who may not know the Lord, an examination before the Session, including their Christian experience is prescribed.
Since the Session has the responsibility to guard the congregation from unbelief, were a person not able to make a credible profession of faith, despite his have a letter of transfer, the Session could refuse membership until a credible profession is made. It is not suggested that they make a fresh public profession before the congregation. The constitutional questions should be asked of them before the Session.