Church words

Christians use some words that nobody else does. Here they are in plain English.

Amen: “So be it” or “It’s true.” Said at the end of a prayer to agree with it. 2 Corinthians 1:20
Apostle: “Someone sent.” The first leaders Jesus chose and sent out, like Peter and John, and later Paul. Mark 3:14
Atonement: How Jesus’ death puts us right with God: “at-one-ment”, bringing God and people back together. Romans 5:10–11
Baptism: Being washed in water as a sign of new life with Jesus: dying to the old life and rising to the new. Romans 6:4
Bible: The Christian Scriptures: 66 books in two parts, the Old and New Testaments. 2 Timothy 3:16
Blessing: God’s goodness given to someone; or asking God to give it. Numbers 6:24–26
Born again: Jesus’ picture of the new start God gives when we trust him: a new life from the Holy Spirit. John 3:3
Christ: A title, not a surname. Greek for “Messiah”, the king God promised to send. Matthew 16:16
Church: God’s people, everyone who trusts Jesus. Also a local gathering of them. Not mainly a building. 1 Corinthians 12:27
Communion: Also called the Lord’s Supper or breaking bread. Sharing bread and wine to remember Jesus’ death, as he asked. 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Confession: Telling God honestly what we have done wrong. Also, saying out loud what we believe. 1 John 1:9
Covenant: A binding promise that creates a relationship. God made covenants with Noah, Abraham, Israel and David, and a new covenant through Jesus. Jeremiah 31:33
Cross: The Roman execution on which Jesus died. For Christians it’s the place where God’s love and justice meet. 1 Corinthians 1:18
Disciple: A follower and learner. Someone who is learning to live like Jesus. Matthew 28:19
Eternal life: Not only life that lasts for ever, but a new quality of life: knowing God, starting now. John 17:3
Evangelism: Sharing the good news (the “evangel”) about Jesus. Romans 10:14–15
Faith: Trust. Not believing without reasons, but relying on someone who is trustworthy. Hebrews 11:1
Fellowship: Sharing life together as Christians: friendship with a purpose. Acts 2:42
Forgiveness: Letting go of a debt or a wrong. God forgives us through Jesus, and asks us to forgive others. Ephesians 4:32
Gospel: “Good news.” The message that God has come to rescue us in Jesus. Also the name for the four books about Jesus’ life. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
Grace: Kindness we don’t deserve and can’t earn. God’s free gift. Ephesians 2:8
Heaven: Where God is. The Bible’s final hope is a new heaven and new earth joined together. Revelation 21:1–3
Hell: Being cut off from God and all that is good: what Jesus came to rescue us from. Matthew 10:28
Holiness: Being set apart for God; utterly pure and good. God is holy and calls his people to be holy. 1 Peter 1:15–16
Holy Spirit: God himself, living in everyone who trusts Jesus, to help, guide and change them. John 14:26
Hope: In the Bible, not wishful thinking but confident expectation, based on God’s promises. Romans 15:13
Incarnation: God becoming a human being in Jesus. “The Word became flesh.” John 1:14
Justification: Being declared “not guilty”, right with God, because of Jesus, not because of our own goodness. Romans 5:1
Kingdom of God: God’s rule. Wherever God is King and things are as he wants them to be. Jesus brought it near. Mark 1:15
Lord: Master or ruler. Calling Jesus “Lord” means he’s in charge of your life. Romans 10:9
Mercy: Not getting the punishment we deserve. God is “rich in mercy”. Ephesians 2:4–5
Messiah: Hebrew for “anointed one”: the king God promised to send. Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah. John 4:25–26
Miracle: Something God does that goes beyond what nature can do: a sign of his power and kindness. John 20:30–31
Parable: A short story Jesus told to teach about God, often with a twist. Mark 4:33–34
Pentecost: A Jewish festival, fifty days after Passover, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the first Christians. Acts 2:1–4
Praise: Telling God how great and good he is. Psalm 150:6
Prayer: Talking (and listening) to God. Philippians 4:6
Prophet: Someone who speaks God’s message. The Old Testament prophets called people back to God and promised his rescue. Hebrews 1:1–2
Redemption: Being bought back or set free, like a slave freed by someone paying the price. Ephesians 1:7
Repentance: Turning around: changing your mind and direction, away from sin and towards God. Acts 3:19
Resurrection: Being raised from death to new, bodily life. Jesus rose first; those who trust him will too. 1 Corinthians 15:20
Righteousness: Being right with God, and doing what is right. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Sabbath: A day of rest God gave his people: a gift, not a burden. Mark 2:27
Saint: In the New Testament, any Christian, “one set apart for God”, not only especially holy people. Philippians 1:1
Salvation: Being rescued, by God, from sin and its consequences, for a new life with him. Acts 4:12
Sanctification: The lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus, by the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Sin: Going our own way instead of God’s: the wrong we do, the good we fail to do, and a heart turned away from God. Romans 3:23
Trinity: One God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Not three gods, and not one God wearing three masks. Matthew 28:19
Worship: Giving God the honour he deserves, in songs and prayers, and with our whole lives. Romans 12:1