Words you will hear
Short, plain definitions of words you will meet in the Bible and at church. Each one points you to a passage to read for yourself.
- Abiding
- Remaining in trusting, dependent fellowship with Jesus, receiving his words and living in his love.
- John 15:1-11
- Assurance
- Confidence that you belong to God through Christ, grounded in his work and promises.
- 1 John 5:11-13
- Baptism
- The water rite Jesus commanded, identifying a person with him and his people. Every believer should be baptized after trusting Christ, even if baptized at an earlier time.
- Matthew 28:18-20
- Born again
- Given new spiritual life by the Holy Spirit. This describes God's work, not a required emotional experience.
- John 3:1-8
- Church
- The people who belong to Jesus, gathering in local communities to worship, learn, serve, and care for one another.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
- Communion or the Lord's Supper
- The shared bread and cup through which the church remembers and proclaims Jesus' death. Churches differ in their explanation and practice.
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
- Confession
- Honest acknowledgment of sin to God; it may also involve telling a trusted person and taking responsibility with someone harmed.
- 1 John 1:9 · James 5:16
- Disciple
- Someone who trusts Jesus, learns from him, and follows him. Discipleship is the life of every Christian, not an advanced rank.
- Matthew 28:18-20
- Faith
- Trust in Jesus Christ and reliance on him, rather than confidence in your own merit.
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- Fellowship
- Sharing life in Christ with other believers through worship, care, prayer, and practical support.
- Acts 2:42-47
- Gospel
- The good news of God's saving work through Jesus Christ, especially his death for our sins and bodily resurrection.
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-5
- Holy Spirit
- God, the third Person of the Trinity, who gives new life, dwells in believers, and empowers their life with Christ.
- Romans 8:9-17
- Justification
- God's declaration that those who trust Christ are righteous because of Christ, not their own achievement.
- Romans 3:21-26
- Lord
- A title of authority. Calling Jesus Lord acknowledges that he rules and deserves our trust and obedience.
- Philippians 2:9-11
- Mercy
- God's compassion toward people in misery and sin, including his forgiveness of those who turn to him.
- Ephesians 2:4-5
- Obedience
- Responding to God's authority by doing what he teaches. For a disciple, it grows from faith and love through the Spirit's power.
- John 14:15-17
- Prayer
- Speaking with God in response to who he is and what he has said, coming to the Father through Jesus with the Spirit's help.
- Matthew 6:5-13 · Ephesians 2:18
- Repentance
- Turning from sin toward God with a changed heart and mind that leads toward changed conduct.
- Acts 20:21 · Luke 3:8
- Resurrection
- Jesus' rising bodily from death, and God's promised raising of his people to life with him.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 42-49
- Salvation
- God's rescue from sin and its judgment into life with him, accomplished by Jesus and received through faith. It includes our future completion in glory.
- Ephesians 2:1-10 · Romans 8:23-25
- Sanctification
- God's work of making his people holy, setting them apart for himself and progressively shaping them to be like Jesus. Disciples participate through Spirit-enabled obedience.
- 1 Corinthians 6:11 · 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
- Scripture
- The Bible, God's written Word given through human authors, teaching us God's truth and equipping us for faithful living.
- 2 Timothy 3:14-17
- Sin
- Our rebellion against God in desires, thoughts, actions, and failures to do good. It damages our relationship with him and others.
- Romans 3:23 · James 4:17
- Spiritual disciplines
- Regular practices such as Bible reading, prayer, and gathering with the church that help us attend to God and respond to his grace. They do not earn salvation.
- Acts 2:42 · 1 Timothy 4:7-8
- Stewardship
- Responsible care for what God entrusts to us, including abilities, possessions, time, and opportunities.
- 1 Peter 4:10-11
- Trinity
- The one God eternally exists as three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are not three gods or three temporary roles.
- Matthew 28:19 · John 1:1-3 · Acts 5:3-4
- Worship
- Honoring and responding to God with reverence, gratitude, love, and obedience, in gathered praise and the whole of life.
- John 4:23-24 · Romans 12:1-2
No matching word. Write it down and ask a pastor or mature disciple.