In old Baptist church minutes, "joined by experience" typically meant that the person joining the church had already been saved and baptized in another Baptist church or a church with similar doctrines and practices. They were essentially transferring their membership based on their prior experience of conversion and baptism.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
* Experience Refers to a Proven Christian Life: The "experience" wasn't just any random life event. It specifically referred to the individual's personal experience of conversion (believing in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior) and a subsequent life demonstrating Christian faith.
* Baptism Was Key: A key component of this "experience" was baptism by immersion, as practiced by Baptists. It signified their identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection and was seen as an essential step of obedience following conversion.
* Transfer from Another Church (Usually Baptist): Most commonly, people who joined "by experience" were members of another Baptist church (or a denomination with similar beliefs on salvation, baptism, and church governance). They would often have a letter of dismissal from their former church. Instead of being baptized again, they presented their experience as sufficient grounds for membership.
* Why Not Just "Transfer"? The term "transfer" wasn't always used explicitly. "Joined by experience" highlighted the importance of the individual's demonstrated Christian life, rather than just a bureaucratic move.
In essence, "joined by experience" was a way for Baptist churches to acknowledge a person's prior conversion, baptism, and Christian living as sufficient qualification for membership, without requiring them to be re-baptized or go through the entire initial process of joining the church.
Important Considerations:
* Context Matters: The exact meaning could vary slightly depending on the specific church and the time period.
* Examine Other Records: Look for related information in the church minutes, such as letters of dismissal or notes about the individual's previous church affiliation.
* Consult Church Historians: If available, consult with local church historians or Baptist scholars who may have more specific insights into the practices of that particular church.