Glossary

Like computer programming wizards, the Christian world can sometimes run away with words and phrases that mean a lot to Christians, but really don’t mean very much to anyone else.

If you’re lost, find out what on earth we’re saying, for heaven’s sake.  

A

Abide

Means "dwell" or "stay" in the same place or state. Jesus often speaks of abiding in him, which in this context means "continuing to give ourselves wholly to him".

Abound

To increase or multiply  

A cappella

Vocal music or singing without instrumental accompaniment. We don't sing with musical instruments - we sing AS musical instruments, for each one of us is a unique wind instrument created by God.

Admonish

To caution or reprove (gently)

Apostle

A commissioner of Christ (with miraculous powers). Usually refers to one of the 12 + 1 apostles who followed Jesus. After Judas betrayed Jesus and then took his own life, Matthias replaced him.

Atonement

Reconciliation (with God). This word usually refers to the reconciliation Mankind has with God, through Jesus' death.

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B

Baptism

Means "to make whelmed" (which means fully wet). It is a full immersion of the body to signify the cleansing of sin, the death of the Old Self, and the beginning of a new life in God.

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C

Church

You might be thinking “big white building, stained glass, usually with a steeple, some bells, and definitely a white cross in front…”

Actually, the word “church” refers to the people, not the building. So when we talk about the church listening intently to what God has to say… we’re not saying the walls have ears.

Commandment

An authoritative and formal order or instruction. The biggest command that Christ gives us is to love one another just as He loved us. That's a pretty tall order.

Communion

Partnership, participation, communication between individuals.

We meet weekly to break bread to remember Christ's broken body, and we sip a little grape juice to remember His blood that was spilt to save us. In doing so, we share in an intimacy with one another and with Christ.  

Consecrate

To be made, pronounced or observed as clean and holy.

Cornerstone

A stone forming a part of a corner or angle in a wall. In ancient architecture, the cornerstone had to be a perfect right angle, otherwise the walls would go crooked. It was the first stone you had to get right, otherwise everything else wouldn't quite fall into place.

Jesus is creatively described as the chief cornerstone, and everyone as buildings fitted firmly together so eventually a holy sanctuary is built, so God's can dwell within the compound.

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D

Death

Disciple

Fruit

Edify

Extol

Faith

Flesh

Fornication

Frankincense

Fruit of the vine

Gethsemane

Pronounced “geth-sam-muh-nee”.

Gift

Glossary Jargon demystifyer

Godhead

Grace

Hades

Hallelujah

Hebrew word, meaning “praise YHWH”, which is pronounced “praise YAHWEH”. YAHWEH, quite simply, refers to God.

Hallowed

Holy

Holy Spirit

Idolatry

Inspiration

Intercede

Lord Supper

Lovingkindness

Mercy

Miracle

Myrrh

Passover

Prayer

Priesthood

Prophesy

Propitiation

Restitution

Restore

Resurrection

Sacrificial lamb

Salvation

Sanctify

Sin

Translated to mean, literally, “missing the mark”.

Here’s an analogy: if you are an archer and God has directed you to aim for something great (a bull’s eye with lots of bonus points), but you’ve decided to go shoot something else instead (a bull grazing in the paddock)… you’ve missed the mark. You’ve not done what God wants you to do. In fact, that usually means you’ve gone and done something stupid instead, with dire consequences to follow. Even though it seemed like a bright idea when you did it.

While the analogy seems flippant, sin isn’t. It’s the most consuming and controlling plague we have on the planet. And it’s disguised very, very well. So read the manual – the bible – and learn to suss it out.

Sodom and Gomorrah

Tabernacle

Talent

Trinity

Unleavened bread

Worship

YAHWEH

This is the Hebrew name for God, which was revealed to a prophet called Moses. The name actually consists of four consonants, transliterated into English as YHVH or YHWH. This is a personal name of the God, although at the time it was given, the Jews felt the name was too sacred to be pronounced. Instead, they preferred to call God “Lord” or “Master”.

Zion