Basic Glossary
Baptism
Baptism is one of the basic, foundational teachings of the Bible. It is a simple but profound Biblical ceremony where a person is baptized by being put completely under water for the remission of his or her sins.
Bible References: Hebrews 6:1-2, Matthew 3:13 – 17, 28:19-20; Acts 2:38, 5:30 – 32; Luke 3:3, 24:46 – 47; Romans 5 – 6; Colossians 2:12
Church
The true church of God is composed of those called and converted who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior, repented of their sins, been baptized and received the Holy Spirit.
Bible References: Ephesians 1:22 – 23; John 21:15 – 17; Ephesians 4:4 – 6, 11 – 16; Matthew 24:14, 28:18 – 20; 1Corinthians 12:6 – 13; Acts 2:47; Romans 8:9, 28 – 29; John 15:1 – 8; Hebrews 2:9 – 18; Revelation 1:12 – 20
Eternal Judgment
The judgment of each person begins when his mind is open to comprehend God’s way. God holds each believer responsible to grow in His Word. All who are faithful and remain in righteousness until death will be resurrected and receive life eternal.
Those who never had a full opportunity to understand the Gospel will be physically brought to life in a second resurrection. They will be given a chance to understand God’s way and to receive eternal life. All who knowingly reject their opportunity for salvation will be sentenced to die a second time that will last forever.
Bible References: 1Peter 4:17; Micah 4:1 – 4; Hebrews 10:26 – 27; Romans 2:16, 14:10 – 12; Acts 10:42; Revelation 20:5 – 6, 11 – 14; 2Peter 2:9; 1Samuel 16:7; 2Timothy 4:8; Ezekiel 37:12 – 14
Faith
Faith is the belief that God and Jesus exist and reward those who actively seek them. Faith gives Christians the assurance that what the Eternal promises He will do.
Bible References: Romans 10:17; Philippians 3:3 – 19; 1Corinthians 15:14 – 17; Hebrews 11; Galatians 3:1 – 14, 22 – 26; 2Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 2:4 – 10; James 2:14 – 22; Revelation 14:
God, the Father
The person of the Godhead known as the Father rules the entire universe. The Father is all powerful and possesses all authority. He is the very definition of love and has perfect righteous character. He sent Jesus, His Son, in the form of a human to reveal His love, grace and plan for man.
Bible References: Matthew 11:27; John 1:1 – 2, 17 – 18, 6:44, 8:16 – 18, 14:28, 16:27; 1John 4:8, 16; 1Corinthians 15:24 – 28; Ephesians 3:14 – 19, 4:4 – 6; Hebrews 1:1 – 2; 2:3 – 9; Revelation 21:22
Gospel
The Gospel, or “good news,” is the joyous message of salvation. It is also a message heralding the soon coming kingdom of God to the earth.
Bible References: Isaiah 9:6 – 7; John 3:3 – 7, 16, 14:24; Acts 11:19 – 21; 1Corinthians 15; Matthew 24:14, 28:19 – 20; Mark 1:1, 14 – 15, 16:15 – 16; 1John 2:1 – 2
Grace
Grace is a gift from God and is his greatest expression of love. To be under God’s grace or favor means to be continually receiving His divine love, forgiveness, help and gifts.
Bible References: Psalms 103:1 – 5; Galatians 5:1 – 4; Romans 3:22 – 25, 4:1 – 13, 5:1 – 11, 15 – 18, 11:5 – 6; Ephesians 2:4 – 10, 3; 1Corinthians 15:10; 2Timothy 1:9; 1Peter 5:10
Healing
People who call upon God when sick or injured can be healed if it is his will. This gift of healing is paid for and made possible by the suffering Jesus undertook before being crucified.
When the Eternal heals he also forgives our sins. God’s word teaches those desiring healing should request spiritually mature Christians to anoint them with oil, in Jesus’ name, and pray to be healed.
Bible References: Exodus 15:26; Psalm 103:2 – 3; Matthew 8:1 – 17, 9:27 – 30; 1Peter 2:24; 1Corinthians 11:23 – 30; James 5:14 – 16; Isaiah 53:4 – 5; Mark 16:15 – 18; 2Corinthians 12:7 – 10; John 9:1 – 11
Holy Bible
God’s word is the foundation of all true knowledge. It shows man how to live an abundant life and imparts the understanding of salvation, through Jesus Christ, that man cannot discover for himself.
Biblical References: Deuteronomy 8:3; Psalm 111:7 – 10; Psalm 119; Psalm 12:6; 19:7 – 9; Matthew 1:1 – 17, 4:4; Luke 4:4; John 6:63; 2Timothy 3:16 – 17; 2Peter 1:20 – 21; Galatians 1:8 – 12; Ephesians 2:19 – 20; 1Corinthians 14:37; Revelation 1:1 – 3; 22:18 – 19
Holy (Feast) Days Scripture teaches seven annual feast (Holy Day) periods. They portray God’s great plan for man. They were observed by His chosen people in the Old Testament. The ministry of Jesus was focused on their spiritual meaning. The early New Testament church kept these annual feast days.
God’s word also reveals that these annual holy days will be kept by all humans after Jesus’ second coming. The annual Feast days are the Christian Passover, The Days of Unleavened Bread, The Day of Pentecost, The Day of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, The Feast of Tabernacles and The Last Great Day.
Bible References: Leviticus 23; Exodus 12:1 – 20, 23:14 – 17, 31:13; John 7:37; Matthew 26:17 – 18; 1Corinthians 5:7 – 8, 16:8; Acts 2:1, 18:21, 20:16; Zechariah 14:16 – 19; Isaiah 66:23
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the power by which God and Jesus Christ perform their will and is not a person or part of a triune Godhead. The Spirit is freely given to each believer upon repentance, baptism, and laying on of hands. God’s spirit enables a person to partake of the divine nature and gives them the ability to develop holy righteous character in preparation for God’s gift of eternal life. This gift is given only to believers who stay faithful to the Eternal to the end of their lives.
Bible References: Genesis 1:2; 2Corinthians 1:21 – 22; John 7:37 – 39, 14:16, 26; Ephesians 1:13 – 14; Acts 2; 2Timothy 1:6 – 7; Romans 8:9 – 14, 15:13 – 14; 2Peter 1:1 – 11; 1Corinthians 2:9 – 10; 1John 4:4 – 8
Jesus Christ
Jesus, just like the Father, has always existed as God. He created everything that exists and is the God of the Old Testament. To become Savior, Jesus chose to divest Himself of all he had and become a human. Though tempted as we are he never committed a sin. His was willing to be a perfect sacrifice for man, through his death by crucifixion, to pay for all man’s sins.
Jesus, after being dead (unconscious) for three complete days and nights, was miraculously resurrected and was given back his divine nature and existence. He ascended to heaven to be at God’s right hand as mankind’s High Priest and Intercessor. Jesus will soon return to earth to establish God’s Kingdom on the planet.
Bible References: John 1:1 – 3, 3:16, 17:1 – 26; Philippians 2:6 – 11; Ephesians 1:6 – 23; Colossians 1:14 – 20; Hebrews 2:9 – 14, 4:14 – 16, 5:7 – 9; Romans 5:8, 8:3, 29; Revelation 1:5
Kingdom of God
God’s kingdom currently governs the entire universe. Although it is not actively governing the earth (which will happen when Jesus returns), those who possess his Spirit are now under its rule.
Bible References: Revelation 2:26, 3:12, 21; Daniel 2:44; Micah 4:1 – 4; Hebrews 11:13 – 16; 1Corinthians 15:50 – 54; Revelation 5:10, 21; Isaiah 11:1 – 10; Colossians 1:13; Isaiah 66:22 – 23; John 3:3 – 7
Laying on of Hands
The simple ceremony known as the laying on of hands is one where one or more believers places their hands upon another person and prays that God grants them something. For New Testament Christians, this ritual is used to request healing, to ask God to grant someone his Holy Spirit after baptism or to set apart mature believers to serve the church.
Bible References: Acts 6:6, 8:15 – 17, 13:3, 19:5 – 6; James 5:14 – 15; Matthew 19:13
Repentance
Repentance means to be completely sorry for one’s sins and expresses a person’s desire to live God’s way of life.
Bible References: Deuteronomy 30:1 – 19 Acts 2:37 – 38, 3:19, 11:18; Psalms 51; Romans 2:4; Isaiah 55:6 – 7; 2Corinthians 7:9 – 11; Ezekiel 18:30 – 32; 2Timothy 2:24 – 26; Mark 1:15; 1John 1:6 – 2:2; Luke 13:1 – 5, 24:47; 2Peter 3:9; John 6:44 – 45; Revelation 14:6 – 7
Resurrections from the dead
Scripture reveals two, and possibly three, distinct types of resurrections. They are a resurrection as a Spirit-composed immortal Being, a resurrection to another physical life to be given a full chance at salvation and a resurrection to receive final judgment in the lake of fire.
Bible References: 1Kings 17:17 – 24; John 5:28 – 29, 11:20 – 44; Mark 5:35 – 42; 1Corinthians 15:3 – 4, 35 – 55; Romans 1:4; Hebrews 2:9 – 10; Revelation 20:4 – 6, 11 – 15; Matthew 25:41 – 46, 27:52 – 53; Ezekiel 37:1 – 14
Righteousness
The righteousness of faith is God’s gift to the believer. Only through faith in Jesus is this gift possible. It CANNOT be earned by any means.
Bible References: Genesis 3:11 – 13; 4:7 – 11, 6:5 – 13; 15:16; Leviticus 18:5; Jeremiah 18:7 – 10; Ezekiel 20:11, 13, 21; Proverbs 4:4; Deuteronomy 4:1 – 13, 6:1 – 4, 28:1 – 13; Galatians 3:11 Romans 2:11 – 13, 3:9 – 22; 4:13 – 16, 10:5
The Sabbath
Biblical days begin and end at sunset. The Biblical Sabbath falls on the seventh day of each week (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday). Part of its purpose is to remind humans that everything that exists is made for them. The Being who became Jesus made the Sabbath day by resting on it during what is called “creation week.” He declared, in the Gospels, that he was the Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus’ disciples and the early church kept the Sabbath and it was never moved, by God, to another day.
Bible References: Genesis 2:1 – 3; Mark 2:27 – 28; Exodus 20:8 – 10, 31:13 – 17; Isaiah 56:1 – 7, 58:13 – 14, 66:23; Ezekiel 20:12, 20; Leviticus 23:1 – 3; Luke 4:4; Acts 13:42 – 44
Salvation
By the grace of God, a believer is saved from the penalty of sin, which is eternal death, and is granted the gift of eternal life through being begotten of the Holy Spirit.
Bible References: Isaiah 65:17 – 25; Romans 5:6 – 10, 6:23; Mark 16:16; Ephesians 2:4 – 10; Acts 4:8 – 12; 1Timothy 2:4; Revelation 21:7
Sin
Sin is the breaking of one of the Eternal’s commandments or laws – whether by spirit or letter. When a person knows to do what is right yet does not do so to him it is sin. The ultimate penalty for refusing to repent of sin is eternal death through the lake of fire.
Bible References: Isaiah 53, 59:1 – 2; Hebrews 10:26 – 27; Matthew 12:31 – 32; James 1:14 – 15, 2:10 – 11, 4:17; Romans 6:23, 7, 14:19 – 23; 1Peter 2:21 – 25; Galatians 1:3 – 4, 5:19 – 21; 1John 3:4, 8 – 10, 5:17; Ephesians 2:1 – 3; Revelation 21:8
Word
Looking to have meaningful conversations about faith? Discover the 10 most effective questions a Christian can ask a non-believer. These carefully crafted questions promote empathy, challenge thinking, and pave the way for respectful and insightful dialogue. Read the article to learn the significance of these questions and how they can be applied in real-life interactions.
Engaging in meaningful conversations with non-believers can be an essential part of evangelism. Here are some effective questions that you might ask, along with the reasons why they might be helpful:
1. “What do you believe about God or a higher power?”
Why: This question helps identify the person’s current belief system or lack thereof, giving you an understanding of their background and a starting point for the discussion.
2. “Have you ever considered the claims of the Bible or the teachings of Jesus Christ?”
Why: This helps you gauge their familiarity with the Scriptures and the Christian faith, allowing you to provide information tailored to their level of knowledge.
3. “What do you think is the purpose of life?”
Why: This profound question can lead to discussions about meaning, fulfillment, and ultimately the Christian belief in a purpose-driven life.
4. “Have you ever experienced something that made you question or consider spiritual matters?”
Why: Personal experiences often shape beliefs, and understanding these can help you connect on an emotional level, building trust and empathy.
5. “How do you determine what is right and wrong?”
Why: This question can lead to a conversation about moral standards, which in turn can be related to the Biblical principles of morality.
6. “What are your thoughts on the afterlife?”
Why: This question can introduce the topics of heaven, hell, and eternal life, which are central to the Christian message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
7. “If Christianity were true, would you want to know?”
Why: This question challenges the person to consider their openness to truth, regardless of personal biases or preconceived notions.
8. “Can I share my personal experience and what Jesus means to me?”
Why: Sharing personal testimony can make the conversation more relatable and authentic, breaking down barriers and misconceptions.
9. “How do you find peace and contentment in life?”
Why: This question touches on universal human desires and needs, leading into a discussion about how faith in Jesus Christ can bring true peace and fulfillment. It allows you to share the Christian understanding of inner peace that transcends worldly circumstances.
10. “What obstacles or doubts keep you from considering or accepting the Christian faith?”
Why: By directly addressing doubts or obstacles, you show a willingness to engage with their concerns honestly. This can lead to a deeper conversation where you can provide Biblical answers, evidence, or personal testimonies to address those specific doubts. Understanding these barriers also helps in praying for the person and tailoring your approach to their unique situation.