Some words come up again and again when we read the Bible. Here is what they mean, in a sentence or two, with a verse to show where the Bible uses them.
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Adoption
God takes those who trust in Christ into His own family, as His children, and gives them His Spirit, so that they can call Him Father.
“You received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Romans 8:15, BSB)
Atonement, atoning sacrifice
What Christ did on the cross to deal with our sin: He took the punishment we deserved, so that God’s anger against our sin is turned away and we can be brought back to God.
“He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10, BSB)
Baptism
A believer is put under water and brought up again, as a public sign that he has turned to Christ, that his sins are washed away by Christ, and that he has died to his old life and been raised to a new one. It is for those who believe, and it is a step of obedience; it does not save.
“Those who embraced his message were baptized.” (Acts 2:41, BSB)
Born again
The new life God gives by His Spirit, which no one can give himself. Without it, no one can enter God’s kingdom.
“No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3, BSB)
Chosen (election)
Before the world was made, God chose a people for Himself, not because of anything in them, but out of His love.
“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence.” (Ephesians 1:4, BSB)
Christ
Not a surname, but a title. It means “the Anointed One”, the King God promised to send. In the Old Testament the same word is “Messiah”.
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16, BSB)
Church
Not a building, but the people God has saved, gathered together around Christ. Each local church is a family of believers who meet to worship, to learn, and to care for one another.
“The church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28, BSB)
Confess
To admit our sin honestly to God, without excuses.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, BSB)
Covenant
A solemn promise that binds two sides together. God makes covenants with His people and always keeps them. The new covenant is made through the blood of Christ.
“This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:20, BSB)
Cross
The wooden cross on which Jesus was put to death. Christians boast in it, because there Christ died for sinners.
“May I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 6:14, BSB)
Disciple
A follower and learner of Jesus, who puts Him first in everything.
“Whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:27, BSB)
Eternal life
Not only life that never ends, but life with God, knowing Him, which begins now for everyone who trusts in Christ.
“Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (John 17:3, BSB)
Faith
Trusting God and taking Him at His word: above all, relying on Christ alone to save us.
“Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1, BSB)
The fall
What happened when the first man and woman disobeyed God in the garden (Genesis 3). Sin and death came into the world, and every one of us is born a sinner.
“Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin.” (Romans 5:12, BSB)
Forgiveness
God no longer holds our sins against us. He forgives because Christ has paid for them.
“In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:14, BSB)
Glory
The greatness and beauty of who God is, shown to us. We were made to see it and to give God the honour He deserves.
“We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, BSB)
Gospel
“Good news”: the message that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again, and that everyone who turns to Him and trusts in Him is saved.
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16, BSB)
Grace
God’s kindness to people who do not deserve it. We cannot earn salvation; it is His free gift.
“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9, BSB)
Heaven
Where God is, and where His people will be with Him for ever, in the new creation, with no more sin or sorrow.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 21:4, BSB)
Holy
Set apart for God, and pure. God is perfectly holy, and He calls His people to be holy too.
“Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16, BSB)
Holy Spirit
God the Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. He gives new life, lives in every believer, teaches us, and helps us to live for God.
“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things.” (John 14:26, BSB)
Image of God
Every person is made to reflect God, to know Him, and to care for His world for Him. That is why every human life is precious.
“So God created man in His own image.” (Genesis 1:27, BSB)
Judgement
One day everyone will stand before God, and He will judge justly. Those who trust in Christ will not be condemned.
“Man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27, BSB)
Justified
Declared right with God, as a judge gives a verdict, because Christ’s righteousness is counted as ours when we trust in Him. It is God’s gift, not our achievement.
“Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1, BSB)
Kingdom of God
God’s rule as King. Jesus came to bring it, and everyone who turns to Him enters it.
“The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!” (Mark 1:15, BSB)
Lamb of God
A name for Jesus. In the Old Testament a lamb was sacrificed for sin; Jesus is the true Lamb, who died in the place of sinners.
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, BSB)
Lord's Day
Sunday, the first day of the week, the day Jesus rose from the dead, set apart for worship and rest.
“On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit.” (Revelation 1:10, BSB)
Lord's Supper
The meal Jesus gave His church: bread and wine, eaten together to remember His death for us, until He comes again.
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26, BSB)
Mercy
God’s pity for us in our need: holding back the punishment we deserve, and helping us when we cannot help ourselves.
“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ.” (Ephesians 2:4–5, BSB)
No condemnation
Those who belong to Christ will never be punished by God for their sins, because Christ has already borne the punishment.
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1, BSB)
Prayer
Speaking to God: praising Him, confessing our sins, thanking Him, and asking for what we and others need.
“In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6, BSB)
Reconciled
Brought back into peace with God after being His enemies. God makes the peace, through Christ.
“We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20, BSB)
Redeemed
Bought back, set free by the payment of a price. Christ paid that price with His own blood.
“It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed.” (1 Peter 1:18, BSB)
Repent
To turn away from sin and turn to God: not only to feel sorry, but to change direction.
“Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away.” (Acts 3:19, BSB)
Resurrection
Jesus rising bodily from the dead on the third day; and, because of Him, the raising of His people’s bodies at the end.
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20, BSB)
Righteousness
Being right with God, and doing what is right in His sight. We have none of our own to offer; God gives His righteousness to all who trust in Christ.
“Not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.” (Philippians 3:9, BSB)
Saint
Not a specially good Christian, but every believer, set apart by God for Himself.
“To those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy.” (1 Corinthians 1:2, BSB)
Salvation, saved
Being rescued by God from sin and its punishment, and brought to Him. It is found in Christ alone.
“Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, BSB)
Sanctification
The lifelong work of the Holy Spirit in a believer, making him more like Christ and less like his old self.
“For it is God’s will that you should be holy.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3, BSB)
Saviour
One who rescues. Jesus Christ is the Saviour of sinners.
“Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!” (Luke 2:11, BSB)
Scripture
The Bible, God’s word, written by men as the Holy Spirit moved them, and so true in all it says.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16, BSB)
Sin
Breaking God’s law, and failing to live as He made us to live: in what we do, what we say and what we think.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, BSB)
Sovereign
God rules over everything, and nothing can stop Him doing what He has decided.
“Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.” (Psalm 115:3, BSB)
Trinity
There is one God, who is three Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Each is fully God, and yet there is only one God.
“Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19, BSB)
Worship
Giving God the honour, love and obedience He deserves, with our whole life, and together with His people.
“God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24, BSB)
Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which is in the public domain. They keep its American spelling.