Simplifying Christian Terms
Whether you're new to the faith or just curious, you'll soon notice that Christians often use special terms and phrases. This glossary is here to help you understand common Christian terms, breaking down the mystery with easy-to-read, one-sentence definitions. Understanding these words can deepen your relationship with God and make your spiritual walk more meaningful.
Seeking Clarity
If you come across a term that’s unclear, don't hesitate to ask a more experienced Christian, your Bible study leader, or your pastor for clarification. Remember, there’s no such thing as a bad question when it comes to growing in your faith. The more you ask, the more you learn, and the stronger your walk with God will become.
Abide
To remain in close relationship with Jesus, living according to His teachings.
Accepting Christ
Receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour, acknowledging His sacrifice for sin.
Accountability
Being responsible to others for one’s actions and spiritual growth.
Angels
Heavenly beings created by God to serve Him and assist believers.
Antichrist
A figure who opposes Christ and deceives many in the end times.
Atonement
Jesus’ sacrificial death that reconciles humanity with God.
Backslide
Falling away from one’s faith or spiritual commitment.
Baptism
A public declaration of faith in Christ, symbolising spiritual cleansing.
Born Again
Experiencing spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ.
Calling
God’s unique purpose and mission for an individual’s life.
Carnal
Living according to fleshly desires rather than spiritual principles.
Christ
The eternal Son of God, fully divine and fully human, who came to earth to accomplish salvation for humanity through His life, death, and resurrection.
Commitment
A dedicated and unwavering devotion to God and His teachings.
Communion
A sacred practice remembering Jesus’ sacrifice through the sharing of bread and wine.
Confess
To admit one’s sins to God and seek His forgiveness.
Consecration
The act of dedicating oneself fully to God’s service.
Conviction
A strong belief or persuasion by the Holy Spirit about sin, righteousness, and judgment.
Cross
The instrument of Jesus’ crucifixion, symbolising His sacrifice for humanity’s sins.
Demons
Evil spiritual beings opposed to God, often causing harm and deception.
Denying Self
Choosing to put aside personal desires to follow Jesus’ teachings.
Devil
The chief adversary of God and humanity, also known as Satan.
Devotions
Regular practices of prayer, Bible reading, and worship to grow closer to God.
Disciple
A follower of Jesus who learns from His teachings and lives according to His example.
Discipleship
The process of growing in faith and helping others to follow Jesus.
Divinity
The nature of being God or having divine attributes.
Doctrine
The set of beliefs held and taught by a church or other Christian organisation, based on the Bible.
Election
God’s sovereign choice of individuals or groups for a specific purpose or salvation.
End Times
The period leading up to the return of Jesus Christ and the final judgment.
Evangelism
The act of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others.
Faith
Trust and belief in God and His promises, often without physical evidence.
Family of God
The collective group of believers who are spiritually adopted as God’s children.
Fasting
Voluntarily abstaining from food or other pleasures to focus on prayer and spiritual growth.
Fellowship
The sharing of faith, support, and community among believers.
Filled with the Holy Spirit
Being empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit who dwells within for Christian living and service.
Freedom in Christ
The liberation from sin and legalism through faith in Jesus.
Fruit of the Spirit
The qualities produced in a believer’s life by the Holy Spirit, such as love, joy, and peace.
Gifts
Special abilities given by God to believers for the purpose of serving others.
Gifts of the Spirit
Supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the edification of the Church.
Glorification
The final transformation of believers into a perfect state in God’s presence.
Godhead
The triune nature of God, consisting of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Gospel
The good news of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for the salvation of humanity.
Grace
God’s unmerited favour and love bestowed upon humanity, received through faith in Jesus Christ.
Great Commission
Jesus’ command to His disciples to spread the Gospel to all nations.
Holiness
The state of being set apart for God’s purposes and living a life that reflects His character.
Holy Ghost
Another term for the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity.
Holy Spirit
The Spirit of God who dwells in believers, guiding and empowering them.
Intercession or Interceding
Praying on behalf of others, seeking God’s intervention and blessings.
Invitation
The call to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Jesus
The Son of God, Saviour of the world, who became human to save humanity through His death and resurrection.
Judgment
God’s righteous evaluation of individuals, leading to reward or punishment.
Justification
Being declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Laborers
Believers who work to spread the Gospel and serve in God’s kingdom.
Last Days
The period leading up to the return of Jesus Christ and the end of the world.
Lord's Supper
A Christian practice commemorating Jesus’ last meal with His disciples, involving bread and wine.
Lordship
The authority and rule of Jesus Christ over all aspects of a believer’s life.
Lucifer
The original name of Satan before his fall from heaven due to pride and rebellion.
Meditate
To contemplate and deeply reflect on God’s Word.
Messiah
The 'anointed one' sent by God to save humanity, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Millennium
The prophesied thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, mentioned in Revelation.
New Creation
The transformed state of a person who has accepted Christ, living a renewed life.
New Nature
The spiritual nature given to believers, enabling them to live according to God’s will.
Old Nature
The sinful nature inherent in humans before accepting Christ.
Original Sin
The first act of disobedience by Adam and Eve, resulting in humanity’s fallen state.
Prayer
Communicating with God through praise, confession, thanksgiving, and requests.
Predestination
The doctrine that God has foreordained all events and outcomes, including salvation.
Purity
Living a life free from sin and moral corruption, reflecting God’s holiness.
Quiet Time
A personal time set aside for prayer, Bible study, and reflection on God.
Rapture
The event when believers are taken away to meet Christ before the end times.
Rebirth
The spiritual renewal and transformation that occurs when one accepts Christ.
Receiving Christ
Accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour, inviting Him into one’s life.
Recommitment
Renewing one’s dedication and commitment to follow Jesus.
Redemption
The act of Jesus saving humanity from sin through His death and resurrection.
Regeneration
The process of being spiritually reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit.
Repent
To turn away from sin and seek forgiveness, committing to a new way of life.
Renewal
The ongoing process of spiritual growth and transformation in a believer’s life.
Resurrection
Jesus Christ’s rising from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion, signifying victory over sin and death.
Revival
A period of renewed spiritual interest and growth within a community or church.
Righteousness
The state of being morally right or justifiable, often attributed to believers through faith in Christ.
Salvation
The deliverance from sin and its consequences, granted by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Sanctification
The ongoing process of being made holy, set apart for God’s purposes.
Satan
The adversary of God and humanity, also known as the devil, who seeks to lead people away from God.
Second Coming
The future return of Jesus Christ to earth to judge the living and the dead.
Servanthood
The attitude and practice of serving others selflessly, following Jesus’ example.
Sinful nature
The inherent tendency of humans to sin, inherited from Adam and Eve.
Sin
Any action, thought, or attitude that goes against God’s will and laws.
Sinner
A person who commits sin, which includes all humanity apart from Christ.
Son of God
A title affirming Jesus Christ’s divine nature and His unique relationship with God the Father.
Soul
The immaterial essence of a person, which is eternal and distinct from the body.
Soul Winner
A person who actively seeks to lead others to faith in Jesus Christ.
Sovereignty
God’s supreme power and authority over all creation.
Surrender
Yielding one’s will and life to God’s control and guidance.
Testimony
A personal account of one’s faith journey and experiences with God.
The Blood
The sacrificial blood of Jesus, which cleanses believers from sin.
The Body of Christ
The collective community of believers in Jesus.
The Book of Life
A heavenly record of those granted eternal life through faith in Christ.
The Bride of Christ
The Church, which is spiritually united with Christ.
The Church
The community of believers who gather to worship God and follow Jesus Christ.
The Fall
The event when Adam and Eve sinned, resulting in humanity’s separation from God.
The Flesh
The sinful nature of humans that opposes God’s Spirit.
The Harvest
The gathering of souls into God’s kingdom, often associated with evangelism.
The Lamb
A title for Jesus, symbolising His sacrificial death for sin.
The Son
A title for Jesus Christ, emphasizing His relationship with God the Father.
The Spirit
Another term for the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity.
The World
The secular and often sinful system of values and practices opposed to God’s kingdom.
Tithe
The practice of giving a tenth of one’s income to support the church and its ministries.
Trials
Difficult situations or challenges that test a believer’s faith and character.
Tribulation
A period of great suffering and distress, often associated with the end times.
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Walk
The manner in which a believer lives out their faith daily.
Witness
Sharing one’s faith and the message of Jesus Christ with others.
Works
Actions and deeds that reflect one’s faith and obedience to God.
Worldly
Being focused on or influenced by secular and materialistic values rather than spiritual ones.
Worship
The act of showing reverence and adoration for God through various forms of praise.
Yield
To submit or give way to God’s will and direction in one’s life.