When someone is received in the church by experience, it is saying that the person has been saved by experience of receiving their salvation through humble repentance at the altar in the church, or anywhere else where they repented and were saved, which is then referred to as "their altar". All of this is a spiritual event, and they can then join the church tell their "experience" before the church which is required before they are 'voted in' by the body of the church. Generally, most people who were saved in a revival held at that church, came forward and told their 'experience' before the church at that church's next business meeting. This is the way it was always done, and still is in what is considered as "old time churches", whereas what is considered as "modern churches" believe that salvation comes from "accepting Christ as your personal Savior", a doctrine that is not supported by the "old time churches. I want to state at this point that I am not condemning any church or their doctrine, only stating a fact, and answering this question the best way that I can. In addition, below is a good explanation, probably one of the best explanations that I've ever seen that can be explained in text, of what is consider as "Experimental Salvation", written by an 'old time' preacher that I am acquainted with: Cheers, Darrell G. Waddell Salvation By Bro. Del Compton We, as Old Time Baptists, believe "True" salvation is a personal experience with God. God makes it known to you personally, in your heart, when He saves you. In order to obtain "true" salvation, there first must be a sense of trouble, conviction, and condemnation set up by God in the heart of the unsaved person. They must pray and seek God and repent of their sins until they know for themselves that God has forgiven and saved them. Man does not convict them and man cannot tell them when God forgives and saves them. God is all-powerful and can save the soul of one seeking Him any place, any time. However, the church gives opportunity for those desiring to seek and find God to come to the front for prayer. Many of our churches have a pew sitting in the front, facing the congregation, referred to as the "mourner's bench". We do not believe that the "mourner's bench" has any saving power, but it is a good place to bow before the Throne of our Mighty God. The unsaved person does not obtain salvation simply by "accepting", "receiving Christ", "making a decision for Christ", or by "being baptized" as many teach today. We condemn such practices. It is true that a person must "accept" and "believe" that Christ is who the Bible teaches He is. One must also believe that He is the rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. This is a historical belief and is definitely required by the one seeking God. When one is saved, they truly do receive Christ in their heart. It is also true that a person must "decide" to seek Christ; and must be determined to seek until they find Him. We DO NOT believe in using "repeat after me" prayers nor in reading scripture passages to them to convince them they have prayed, trusted, or believed. We DO NOT condone the practice known as "The Roman Road" and all other "easy believeism" practices. These practices substitute a historical belief for a belief from the heart. When God deals in the heart of the one who does not know Him through an experience of salvation, His Holy Spirit sets up conviction and trouble in the person's heart. When those in this trouble come for prayer, we believe in praying for and with the person, but God does the saving and makes it known to the individual. We do believe in encouraging them according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. You know when God forgives and saves you without anyone telling you (including the preacher, loved ones, or any friend). ----- Original Message ----- From: "Margaret Treece" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 9:31 AM Subject: [TNCLAIBO-L] Big Spring Church article > The latest issue of Reflections has several pages of minutes from Big > Springs Primitive Baptist Church in Claiborne County (1826-1836). Can > anyone tell me what it means that they accepted members "by > experience"? > People were either admitted by letter or by experience. > > Thanks, > Margaret > > > > ==== TNCLAIBO Mailing List ==== > If you are having any difficulties with the list please contact the > list owner Pamela Burnette at: [email protected] > Visit the CLAIBORNE COUNTY PIONEER PROJECT at: > http//freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~ccpp/pioneer/index.htm > we have over 95,000 folks from the county identified and waiting for > you to find them. >

Good sermon! We're lacking in them these days. A lot of sermons are watered down. But I know I was saved at the age of 15, and changed from that day forward. I've never been the same! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Darrell G. Waddell" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 10:31 AM Subject: Re: [TNCLAIBO-L] Big Spring Church article > When someone is received in the church by experience, it is saying that > the person has been saved by experience of receiving their salvation > through humble repentance at the altar in the church, or anywhere else > where they repented and were saved, which is then referred to as "their > altar". All of this is a spiritual event, and they can then join the > church tell their "experience" before the church which is required > before they are 'voted in' by the body of the church. Generally, most > people who were saved in a revival held at that church, came forward and > told their 'experience' before the church at that church's next business > meeting. This is the way it was always done, and still is in what is > considered as "old time churches", whereas what is considered as "modern > churches" believe that salvation comes from "accepting Christ as your > personal Savior", a doctrine that is not supported by the "old time > churches. I want to state at this point that I am not condemning any > church or their doctrine, only stating a fact, and answering this > question the best way that I can. In addition, below is a good > explanation, probably one of the best explanations that I've ever seen > that can be explained in text, of what is consider as "Experimental > Salvation", written by an 'old time' preacher that I am acquainted with: > > Cheers, > Darrell G. Waddell > > Salvation > By Bro. Del Compton > > We, as Old Time Baptists, believe "True" salvation is a personal > experience with God. God makes it known to you personally, in your > heart, when He saves you. In order to obtain "true" salvation, there > first must be a sense of trouble, conviction, and condemnation set up by > God in the heart of the unsaved person. They must pray and seek God and > repent of their sins until they know for themselves that God has > forgiven and saved them. Man does not convict them and man cannot tell > them when God forgives and saves them. > > God is all-powerful and can save the soul of one seeking Him any place, > any time. However, the church gives opportunity for those desiring to > seek and find God to come to the front for prayer. Many of our churches > have a pew sitting in the front, facing the congregation, referred to as > the "mourner's bench". We do not believe that the "mourner's bench" has > any saving power, but it is a good place to bow before the Throne of our > Mighty God. > > The unsaved person does not obtain salvation simply by "accepting", > "receiving Christ", "making a decision for Christ", or by "being > baptized" as many teach today. We condemn such practices. It is true > that a person must "accept" and "believe" that Christ is who the Bible > teaches He is. One must also believe that He is the rewarder of those > that diligently seek Him. This is a historical belief and is > definitely required by the one seeking God. When one is saved, they > truly do receive Christ in their heart. It is also true that a person > must "decide" to seek Christ; and must be determined to seek until they > find Him. > We DO NOT believe in using "repeat after me" prayers nor in reading > scripture passages to them to convince them they have prayed, trusted, > or believed. We DO NOT condone the practice known as "The Roman Road" > and all other "easy believeism" practices. These practices substitute a > historical belief for a belief from the heart. > > When God deals in the heart of the one who does not know Him through an > experience of salvation, His Holy Spirit sets up conviction and trouble > in the person's heart. When those in this trouble come for prayer, we > believe in praying for and with the person, but God does the saving and > makes it known to the individual. We do believe in encouraging them > according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. You know when God > forgives and saves you without anyone telling you (including the > preacher, loved ones, or any friend). > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Margaret Treece" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 9:31 AM > Subject: [TNCLAIBO-L] Big Spring Church article > > > > The latest issue of Reflections has several pages of minutes from Big > > Springs Primitive Baptist Church in Claiborne County (1826-1836). Can > > anyone tell me what it means that they accepted members "by > > experience"? > > People were either admitted by letter or by experience. > > > > Thanks, > > Margaret > > > > > > > > ==== TNCLAIBO Mailing List ==== > > If you are having any difficulties with the list please contact the > > list owner Pamela Burnette at: [email protected] > > Visit the CLAIBORNE COUNTY PIONEER PROJECT at: > > http//freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~ccpp/pioneer/index.htm > > we have over 95,000 folks from the county identified and waiting for > > you to find them. > > > > > ==== TNCLAIBO Mailing List ==== > VIRUS WARNINGS, SOLICITING, CHAIN LETTERS, JOKES, MISSING CHILDREN NOTICES, POLITICAL MESSAGES, FLAMES, PRAYERS, etc., are grounds for your immediate removal from this list. > > > >