Your Salvation
YOUR BIBLE
Your Bible should be a close friend of yours. And we have a few ways to strengthen that friendship-- by understanding it more through our Bible Dictionary; by spending more time with it with our Bible in a Year schedule; and getting to know it better through our Did You Know? section full of interesting facts.
BIBLE DICTIONARY
Have you just read something and wasn't quite sure what a word meant? Don't be bashful and mistakenly pass over it or pretend you know. Check it's meaning here! Or you can browse the database of biblical terminology.
A
Abandon
The feeling that you're left all alone or a thing can be abandoned too, like a church or your spirituality.
Abase
A type of humbleness that usually presents itself when you don’t have much to offer. Paul talked to the Philippian church on being content--that whether you have a lot or not (abased), you are able to still keep your focus on God
Abhor
Extreme disgust and hatred. As Christians, we tend to flee from such strong language, but the Bible often used this word to describe God’s feelings towards evil/sin and its affects. We are therefore called to also abhor evil.
Abide
Live and/or accept. Often in Scripture, both meanings are used. For example, when you abide in God and He in you, it means both to live within each other and to accept all that goes with that. Abiding in God, you must live in harmony.
Afflictions
The cause of continued pain in the body or mind. In Scripture, it often is specific to the trials that Christians must go through for Christ’s sake. We are to bear this pain and continue on knowing that Christ will relieve our pain.
Atonement
Paying for your sins and therefore reconciling you and God. In the Old Testament, it was through literal and physical sacrifices (blood of lambs). But ever since Christ died, He is that sacrificed lamb that “atoned” or paid for our sins...once and for all.
Abate
Get weaker and steadily die in strength. The Bible tells us we show how wise we are when we are not quick to get angry. In fact, we can make other people’s anger get weak if we learn to control what we say.
Abstain
keep yourself from doing something. We should keep ourselves from doing what we know is wrong or doesn’t look right.
Abundance
A very large amount of something. Jesus warns that we should be careful to control a greedy spirit because life is more meaningful than how much we have.
Accord
Agree together and give someone what has been earned. The Israelites (God’s people) came together and agreed to fight with Joshua (God’s leader) Joshua 9:2; The disciples were gathered in total agreement in one place with one thing in mind on the day of Pentecost Acts 2:1
Adversary
Enemy, someone against a person or thing. The Bible teaches us that Satan (the devil) is our adversary and is always working to destroy us.
Ambassador
A person who helps by taking a message to them and helping them understand it. Scripture teaches us that we should be ambassadors for Christ helping other people come to God.
Amen
I agree! When spoken at the end of a prayer or a hymn, it is used to say 'so be it'.
Antichrist
An evil figure that comes fighting against everything of God especially denying that Jesus is the Christ (Son of God sent to save the world).
Atheist
One who does not believe that God exists.
Avenge
Pay someone back for the wrong things they have done. Paying people back for doing us wrong is God’s job, not ours.
Abomination
Disgrace, so evil that it is hated. There are people we believe to be so evil that we feel hatred toward them. In fact, the Bible teaches that just as we hate because of unfair treatment, God hates our actions that are self-focused, dishonest, and purposed to harm others.
Asleep
Or sleep; sometimes used in the Bible to signify those who died, literally or figuratively.
Astray
Away from the right way or direction. Jesus shares the joy a shepherd feels when he finds his one lost sheep that went off course.
Armourbearer
A warrior (trained fighter) whose job is to protect the leader or king by skillfully killing his enemies so no harm comes to the leader. This person dresses in armor for battle and uses defensive weapons. An example of an armor-bearer in the Old Testament would be David as he protected King Saul, and Saul’s son Jonathan’s armor-bearer who went with him in battle against the Philistines.
Apostle
A person sent out and authorized to act on behalf of another. Jesus delivered God’s message as He operated as God’s apostle. Persons taking the message of salvation to others as agents of Jesus may be called apostles. The original apostles in the Bible were Jesus’ twelve disciples.
Apostasy
Refusing to follow religious or political belief. A person who abandons God displays strong resistance and objection to God’s Word (Holy Bible) and its teaching. Often these persons use their influence to pull others away from God by attempting to change or alter the Bible’s true meaning and instruction in daily living.
Anguish
Feeling pain because of regret. When we become ill and overtaken by disease, we become full of sadness.
Alleluia
Praise God! This is a term of worship and praise that has the same meaning as Hallelujah. It comes from two Hebrew words that mean “Praise ye the Lord.”
Adhere or Adherence
Believe something so much until you do it and be loyal to it. We are encouraged to hate evil and hold onto what is good.
Abound
Exist in large numbers. Our prayer for you, just as Paul’s prayer for the church, is that you be filled with joy, peace, and lots of hope.
Admonish
Warn, advise, urge or scold. Scripture teaches us to recognize and appreciate those who love us enough to correct us.
B
Believe
Accepting something as truth. True belief in Jesus, as the Son of God whose sacrificial death takes away the sins of man, causes one to accept the Gospel and renounce sin. In response to this act of belief, God regenerates the heart and transforms the life of the believer. (Spirit First)
Backslide
Turn away from God. God appeals to His people to return to Him and He will forgive their turning away.
Baptise
Sprinkled, christened, or go underwater. In the Christian faith, baptism is an act that is performed to show that you have totally surrendered to Jesus.
Beggarly
Wretched or miserable. Things that turn us away from God are weak but cause us to be slaves to wrongdoing and sin.
Begot
Bring into existence, an old fashioned term that means to father or give birth to a child. The Old Testament uses this term to show family trees of specific persons and trace their family birth line. It is used in the New Testament as well to show Jesus’ sonship with God and our special family relationship because of Jesus.
Behold
Look at something that is remarkable. This term is used frequently in the Bible to draw attention to what is going to be said next.
Bishop
A senior member of the Christian clergy charged with the duties of overseeing the church or churches. In some churches these individuals are called Elders or Pastors and the title of Bishops is reserved for those overseeing multiple churches.
Blasphemy
Cursing God, His name, and His Word (Bible); Cursing using strong abusive language about Him also falls into this word meaning. We must exercise caution not to insult God’s honor with offensive untruths about Him.
Blemish
A small flaw or mark that ruins what something looks like. In the Old Testament offering animal sacrifices to God required slaughtering a young lamb that was without marks or spots. Christ is our perfect sacrifice as a lamb being offered on our behalf.
Blood
The fluid that runs inside the body, man and animal, that provides life. In the New Testament we learn that Christ’s shed blood gives us our spiritual life and salvation.
Bondage
Slavery, subject to something beyond your control that makes you helpless to resist so you cannot be overpowered by it. Bad habits and negative behavior practiced over time become uncontrollable. Apostle Paul teaches us that receiving Jesus sets us free from bondage.
Bondservant
Slave, work for someone else without getting paid. A servant is a hired salaried worker; a bondservant is a slave.
Bowels
Deepest part of one’s pity, feelings from one’s innermost part, or one’s belly. John used this expression in the Bible to address how we should show our deepest feelings of concern for others as lovers of God.
Brethren
Family members or people who share the same spiritual beliefs. When the Apostle Paul needed help, he asked those who believed in Christ to pray for him.
Bridegroom
A man on his wedding day or newly married man. Jesus referred to himself as the bridegroom of His church.
Brimstone
An English word meaning burning stone, sometimes used referring to a sulphur which is a chemical found in volcanic regions. It is also used describing God’s judgment.
Burnt offerings
Animals sacrificed and roasted on a special altar as a peace offering to God seeking forgiveness for sin.
Burden
A heavy load, weight, strain. The pressure one feels from a guilty conscience after doing wrong is a burden to him; but when we do follow Jesus the burden is lifted.
C
Captive
Held as a prisoner. In the Old Testament this term is commonly used to refer to the time when God’s chosen people, the Israelites, were taken from their homeland and forced to live captive under the rule of ungodly nations.
Carnal
Focused or controlled by selfish attitudes and actions rather than being focused on God and His purpose. We are cautioned that such a way of thinking and acting has deadly consequences.
Charity
God inspired love for others. Sometimes used interchangeably in the Bible with brotherly love and benevolence. We are encouraged to work hard to exercise Godly love.
Chasten
Punish to correct and make better. Just as our parents correct us to make us better, God shows His love for us by correcting us.
Cherubim
An angel that has both human-like and animal-like characteristics, i.e. human faces and bird-like wings. Cherubim models (statues) were often used to decorate and adorn places such as Solomon’s Temple and the mercy seat as they were closely associated with God.
Chief Priest
A title for priests holding high offices in the priesthood and Temple. The Old Testament usually uses this title which is also in the New Testament along with the title of high priest. While others held this title, Jesus is our high priest.
Christ
The Son of God, specially chosen to do what no one else can do; a title that only applies to Jesus who was sent to earth by God His Father to save people from evil. Christ alone gives us the power to do what would otherwise be impossible.
Church
We call a building used for Christian worship a church, however, in the Bible when the term church was used it was talking about a person or a group of people who believe in Christ.
Circumspect
Alert, watchful, careful. As believers and followers of Christ, we are urged to exercise extreme care in how we conduct ourselves.
Cleave
Stick to, hold onto something so tight that you can’t be separated from it. Scripture teaches us to hold onto things that are good in the sight of God.
Commandment
Law, a divine rule. An example would be the Ten Commandments.
Communion
Sharing or exchanging something in fellowship. It is a word used to describe the The Lord’s Supper because persons who take part are sharing their relationship and close connection with Jesus.
Condemn
Express disapproval and punish, most often used when giving a death sentence. Jesus came into this world to save it not to pass a death sentence upon men.
Confess
Openly admit, acknowledge, or own up to having done something wrong. God wants us to admit our wrong doings, ask His forgiveness, declare our commitment to Jesus, and admit to others when we are wrong.
Conform
Be like, match, or follow something else or someone else. We have role models we often try to be like. The Bible warns us to be careful not to copy behavior like the world (those who do not love God) but that we should pattern after what is good and right in the sight of God.
Congregation
A group of people who come together in a common place with a common purpose. A congregation may be called an assembly or a church.
Consecrate
Make or declare something sacred In the Old Testament, Moses instructed the Israelites to consecrate themselves and their families so God would bless them.
Conviction
Firm feeling or belief, a strong belief about the truth. Christians share a firm belief that God desires His creation to stop sinning and turn to Him.
Cornerstone
Foundation, a stone that is placed in the foundation to form the corner of a building that is important allowing all walls to come together perfectly straight. Jesus is referred to as the chief cornerstone because faith and obedience to His teaching is the basis for all Christianity.
Cupbearer
An officer whose job is to serve drinks at a royal table. Joseph interpreted the dream of Pharaoh's cupbearer in the Old Testament. The cupbearer gives a description of his duties as he described them being performed in his dream.
Crucify
Execute or punish someone by nailing them to a cross and letting them hang there in public view for several days until they die. Often the person was flogged (whipped) before being nailed on the cross.
Crucifixion
Execution or punishment of someone by nailing them to a cross and letting them hang there in public view for several days until they die. Often the person was flogged (whipped) before being nailed on the cross. This was a cruel form of government punishment used by the Romans to kill Jesus.
Covenant
Solemn promise or contract. The Bible records many covenants God made with His servants. A covenant God made and sealed it with the blood of His Son Jesus Christ is the removal of the guilt of sin.
Countenance
A person’s facial expression that clearly shows if they agree or disagree with something. Cain, after killing his brother Abel, showed guilt on his face.
Corrupt
Dishonest, acting dishonestly for money or personal gain. Jesus warns that when we are dishonest we our selfish motives stop us from doing good deeds.
D
Doctrine
Principles established by God and taught by the church; non-negotiable truths of the gospel revealing God’s will and plan of salvation for man. (Spirit First)
Devil
Satan, enemy who fights against God and tries to pull people away from God’s purpose and plan for them. When we give our heart to God, the devil backs off and has no power.
Demon
Demon and devil are words used when talking about evil spirits working against people and God. Jesus went about healing people brought to him that were controlled by evil spirits.
Deacon
Servant, helper, a church leader who helps others. Persons helping and serving in the church are charged to be of good character.
Debt
Something that is owed or due, while typically debt relates to money we may owe service. Jesus taught a lesson about compassion by relating it to being forgiven of debt that could not be paid.
Decree
An order, law, official ruling. In the Old Testament King Nebuchadnezzar passed a law that everyone should fall down and worship the golden image when they heard musical instruments sounded.
Depravity
Corrupt or fallen condition, sinfulness, godliness. Persons who reject God and godliness have a sinful nature; the prophet Isaiah identifies their character.
Destitute
Poor, without basic necessities of life, needy. We are cautioned in Scripture not to take advantage of the poor.
Diligent
Showing exactness and care towards one’s duties and responsibilities. Believers are urged to work hard to keep their character upright.
Discipline
Comes from the Latin word meaning to teach, train, control one’s self, training with correction and punishment. Biblical teaching tells us discipline is done in love and not out of anger.
Double-minded
Wishy washy, confused in your actions and behavior, in conflict with yourself because you are undecided.
Doorposts
Pieces that support a structure around a door, lintel, doorframe, doorjamb. The Israelites were instructed to smear blood on their doorpost for their protection as God was preparing to smite (strike) the Egyptians.
Deity
God or a god. Not mentioned in Scripture per say, but often used in religious texts/speech.
E
Epistle
A written letter, but in spiritual context, a living epistle would mean that you are a walking, breathing letter of God’s Word and truths in order to point others to Christ.
Edify
Encourage by building up, instruct to improve. God positions persons in the church to help build His people up.
Elder
Older member of the family, senior person of a religious group who is respected because of their wisdom and experience.
F
Fable
A short story that teaches a lesson that we can learn something good from. An example would be the Three Little Pigs, The Tortoise and The Hare.
Fast
Go without food or drink. Fasting is an act of self-denial or self-sacrifice for spiritual purposes such as seeking God is prayer. Jesus fasted for forty days and nights.
Favor
Approval, good graces, approval beyond what is due. Sometimes beauty is looked on favorably, but a good character is more desirable and favorable. Esther’s beauty caused others to find favor in her.
Fear
(Fear of the Lord)
Fervent
Sincere intense feeling. When we are wrong, we are instructed to admit it and encouraged that our sincere heartfelt prayers will get needful results.
Firstfruit
The first part of a harvest, the best and purest of the crop. In the Old Testament sacrifices required giving of the first yield of crops and animals. After Christ’s sacrifice of himself, as our firstfruit offering, we are charged to let our first and best efforts be holy as our firstfruit offerings.
Flesh
The body or anything that is not Godly according to the Bible. The Apostle Paul described the ungodly (fleshly) nature that is present in all humans (flesh) as knowing what is right to do but not having the power within one’s self to do it.
Forsaken
Abandoned, left alone, let go. When we experience difficult times, it is not uncommon to feel alone. Jesus, when facing death, cried out feeling forsaken.
Frankincense
A gummy substance from the cuts in certain trees that can be used in medicine. It was used in the Old Testament, because of its great value, as gifts. The Wise Men presented frankincense to Christ at His birth.
Fruit
Nourishment in the food group, sometimes used to refer to our children or when describing one's character.
G
Godliness
Careful observation and application to God’s law, will, Word, and character.
Gainsayer
Someone who speaks against, denies, or opposes, disputes or discredits. When Apostle Paul describes the good character of a Bishop, senior member of the church clergy, he states that their upright character and truthful teaching will convince people who try to discredit the gospel that it is right.
Gifts
Given as a present or offering. Just as parents give good gifts to their children, God, our Father, gives good gifts to His children who ask.
Gird
Fasten or secure something around the body like a piece of clothing or a belt. Peter was in jail because Herod wanted to kill him, but an angel appeared and told Peter to wrap his garments around himself, put on his shoes, and follow him out of the prison to safety.
Glorify
Praise, worship. When we see the splendor of God, we glorify Him through our actions.
Glory
A divine quality of honor and magnificence. God, who alone is excellent in all His ways, is worthy to be given our highest degree of honor and praise.
Gnashing
Grinding of teeth in extreme pain or torture. Jesus, when teaching about the end of the world, speaks of angels coming to cast the wicked into a furnace of fire where the pain is so extreme that they cry out as they bear down and grind their teeth in agony.
Godhead
The divinity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; three persons in one referred to as the Trinity or Triune God. Understandably the concept of three persons housed in one being is difficult to grasp, but God is so vast and complex that He is actually three (3) distinct persons who each operate executing three (3) specific jobs. In Christianity it has been said that the Godhead addresses the “what” and “who” of God.
Gospel
Good news, the Christian message of life, hope, salvation, and deliverance through Christ Jesus. The gospel writers of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, all wrote of the works of Jesus calling people to believe and receive the promised salvation of God.
Graveclothes
Wrappings or clothes a dead person is buried in. Joseph, a good man and believer, got permission from Pilate to bury the body of Jesus after His death on the cross. Joseph prepared the body with graveclothes and placed it in a tomb.
Gentile
A nation, a person who is not a Jew. God’s elected family. While non-Jews, or Gentiles, were not apart of God’s family, by accepting Jesus as Savior Christians are adopted into the family.
H
Hallelujah
Literally means “Praises Yah” (short for Yahweh); Praise the Lord! In Scripture, it is often written as "Alleluia".
Hallow
Set apart from the ordinary, to honor as holy. God’s name is to be revered as holy.
Hasten
To do something quickly, in a hurry, with speed. The young boy David, when faced with the Philistine giant, moved quickly toward him without fear that God would help him kill him.
Hearken
Listen, pay attention to what is being said with eagerness, give ear. In the Old Testament Moses instructed the children of God that if they paid strict attention to hear and do what God requires, He would not put diseases on them but be their healer.
Heathen
A person who does not obey the rule of God. In Bible times this term was used to identify non-Jews as well as those who did not know and obey God.
Hebrew
Abraham’s descendants or family tree. Also referred to the written language the Old Testament was written in. Among its distinctions include the fact that it was written from right to left and was dominated by the use of verbs.
Heed
Pay strict attention to, give cautious attention to, watch out for. Jesus warned that we should be cautions against being tricked into believing false teachings.
Heir
A person who inherits another person’s position or possessions. As Christians we are heirs of the blessings and kingdom of God in this life and the life to come.
Hell
A place prepared by God for the eternal punishment and separation from God reserved for those who do not believe and received Jesus Christ as Lord; gehenna, sheol, hades.
Heresy
A belief or an opinion that opposes God’s Word and Christian principles, rejection of divine truth. The Apostle Paul warned young Timothy against being influenced by persons speaking against the doctrinal truth of God.
Holy
Set apart for exclusive use by God. Persons, places, or things can be set apart to be holy. God wants us to be holy.
Hope
Belief, expectation, trust that something will happen. Christians place their hope in God, trusting that He will do what He has promised although we lack concrete evidence of it happening.
Host
Military term for army, sometimes used to identify a person who shows hospitality or a group of heavenly beings who work for God. Jesus tells of a good samaritan who took it upon himself to care for an injured man attacked by thieves and left for dead. He bound his wounds, took him to an inn, and paid the innkeeper (host) for his lodging.
Hymn
Praise to God or a religious song. The sweet lyrics of spiritual songs would fill our heart.
Hypocrite
False pretender, impostor. There is danger in falsely claiming to possess something and then not doing what you’ve said. Jesus warns that hypocrites are like graveyards that can be beautifully adorned and landscaped outwardly but are actually full of dead men inwardly.
I
Idol
An image of a god. Statues are often made to represent gods, but anything that we allow to take the place of the true and living God is an idol. God warns us in His Word not to place anything that we consider more important than Him.
Idle
Lazy, spending time doing nothing. Rest is important, but too much laying around leads to laziness and causes a person to lose interest in doing anything productive and necessary for life.
Immoral
Wrong, evil, bad, dishonest, underhanded, shameless. The Old Testament prophet Zephaniah warned that the ungodly are shameless.
Incorruptible
Cannot decay or die. Victor’s crown and winner’s trophies that are given as rewards for hard work and great accomplishments have a life span and lose significance over time; but efforts made to perfect godliness result in an eternal reward that never loses value.
Infallible
Perfect, true, without error. God’s Word, the Holy Bible, is completely free from error and can be trusted as absolute truth.
Infinite
Without end, cannot be measured because it has no limit. God, who is eternal or everlasting, loves without measure and draws us to Himself.
Intercession
Pleading in someone else’s behalf. Prayer is a form of intercession. Just as the Holy Spirit helps us, as Christians we are to help others.
J
Jewish
Jews are the people who follow Judaism as a way of religion and jewish refers to the Israelites (Hebrews). While Judaism is based upon belief in God, unlike Christianity, it denies the existence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It teaches one God and denies Jesus as the Son of God. The teachings of Christ convinced some Jews that he was indeed the Son of the Living God and He encouraged them to hold to their new found faith.
K
Know
L
Leaven
Yeast-like substance that makes bread rise. This term is also used when referring to anything that influences something to make it bigger than it naturally is.
Leprosy
A skin disease that causes great suffering. In Biblical times a person suffering from leprosy was removed from family and society as they were declared unclean. Jesus had compassion on lepers and healed them.
Loincloth
A piece of fabric men wore in Bible times around their waist next to their skin that was usually made of animal skin or leather. John the Baptist is described wearing loincloth.
Longsuffering
Being patient without complaining. Just as God is longsuffering, we are instructed to show the same patience toward one another.
Lord
Master. This title is used when we refer to God and accept Jesus as our Lord and Master.
M
Mercy
Compassion for the helpless, needy, the offender, and the wrong. Although God’s Word calls for us to show mercy, most often in Scripture “mercy” refers to God’s action of mercy. Instead of seeing that we get quick, harsh punishment (ie death), He had compassion on us (nothing we did right) and sent His Son to die instead.
Merciful
Full of mercy, or compassion. Truly, only God is full of mercy, but we should also strive to be merciful towards others.
Multitude
Great crowd. Jesus’ teachings and performance of great miracles caused great crowds of people to follow Him as He traveled from place to place.
Ministry
The work of a religion or priest, pastor, shepherd, or layman. As lovers of God we are encouraged to work helping others come to a right relationship with God.
Marrow
Soft tissue inside your bones that produces blood and strength. Proverbs teaches us that stopping what we know is evil gives us strength.
Manna
Whitish sweet bread like food that God provided every morning for forty years while the Israelites wandered in the wilderness after leaving Egypt.
Manifest
Make known, openly show or reveal. Jesus’ teaching clearly states that nothing is secret or hidden that will not be shown.
Manger
Animal feeding trough. Christ was born at a time in Bethlehem at a time all the places to lodge (inns with beds) were full, therefore, when he was born his mother laid him in a manger.
Majesty
Greatness, dignity, royal power. The Old Testament speaks to the majestic power of God.
Magnify
Make something appear larger and increase the importance of it. The Bible uses this word frequently when speaking of recognizing the importance and value of God.
N
Nativity
The birth of a person including time, place, etc. The details surrounding the Birth of Christ is described in the Bible.
O
Offering
Gift or sacrifice given as in worship that is given freely. While we can give our time, talent, or money to help the spreading of the Gospel and the work of the church. Christ gave His life as an offering so we might be made perfect before God.
Omnipotence
Unlimited power, almighty, able to do anything. Humans are capable of doing some pretty amazing things, but all power belongs to God.
Ordain
Appoint or establish. Jesus ordained twelve men to follow Him so they could go and preach the gospel.
P
Parable
A story that has spiritual meaning; an everyday truth that helps us understand godliness. Jesus often spoke in parables telling stories that made understanding God and heavenly things much clearer.
Partake
Join in; join in a meal or drink. The Bible uses this term to caution us against joining the company of disobedient persons becoming like them as we will experience the wrath of God.
Passover
Feast established the night before God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. The Bible identifies several feasts calling to remembrance God’s deliverance including the New Testament account of Christ as our passover lamb.
Pastor
Shepherd, leader responsible for feeding God’s flock (congregation) with sound doctrine (preaching and teaching).
Penitence
Feeling sorrow or regret for having done something wrong; shame. Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, declares the contrasting results of being full of initiative versus being lazy.
Pentecost
Jewish celebration of the fiftieth day, Christian festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ resurrection.
Perdition
Destruction, eternal punishment. Be cautious of persons who pull away from God as their path leads to eternal destruction.
Persecute
Mistreat, abuse, pick-on, intimidate because of one’s belief. Jesus teaches us that while we may be picked on because of our faith in Him does not feel good, we should not try to get even. In fact, we are blessed of God because we bear such reproach.
Perseverance
Not giving up, keep on going. Our continuing prayer is encouraged in the New Testament.
Pharisee
A group of Jews who were considered powerful and important and separated from common people. They were sincere, but misled, as they believed rituals and separation from sinners was required to please God and made them special. They did not receive Jesus as the Son of God and His promised Messiah. As Christians, we must be careful not to think of ourselves in some exalted state as being better than other men.
Preeminence
Superiority, greatness, excellence, importance. Christ, as the head of the church, is superior to all others.
Priest
Someone who speaks to God on behalf of others. In the Old Testament the priest offered sacrifices to God seeking forgiveness for the sins of others. In the New Testament, Christ offered Himself as our sacrifice.
Prophecy
Speaking for God, often foretelling at God’s direction what will be known as truth in the future. Prophecy, a gift of God, is inspired by the Holy Ghost.
Q
Quiet Time
Taking time out for God away from distractions in order to become closer to Him. Involves meditation.
Quench
Put out; extinguish. Paul warns that we are not to do things that put out the fire of God that is in us.
R
Righteousness
Holiness and purity
Rabbi
Master, teacher. Calling someone a rabbi in Biblical times paid respect to their teaching abilities.
Raiment
Clothing. John the Baptist’s clothing is described in the New Testament as being made of camel’s hair.
Rapture
Snatched from one place and put in another. The believer’s hope is being raptured from life on this earth and placed in an eternal existence with God.
Rebuke
Chastise, scold, reprimand, express sharp disapproval, correct. It is wise to accept correction from parents and pastors.
Reconcile
Restore a relationship. Christ’s death removed the blockage between God and mankind. His sacrificial death restores man’s ability to have fellowship with God free from the guilt of sin.
Redeem
Pay a price for, buy back, make amends for an evil. Christ, our Redeemer, rescued us from sin by paying the price through His death so we could be released from sin.
Rejoice
Be happy, cheer, be pleased. Genuine love does not receive pleasure from wrongful acts, but celebrates and takes pleasure in truth.
Repent
Turning away from a life without God to accept a life with Him. True repentance is evidenced by a contrite (sorrowful) spirit and Godly grief. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter called men to repentance.
Resurrection
God raising the dead to life. Jesus demonstrates His power over death when His friend Lazarus died by raising Him. He speaks to His power because He is the life and can give life.
Revelation
Exposing or uncovering something that was hidden. Paul acknowledges that his knowledge of God did not result from personal studies, but from insight given to him as he believed and received Jesus.
Reverence
Respect, admiration. God requires that we obey His laws and respect His sanctuary.
S
Shackles
Chains on feet that prisoners would have to wear; spiritual bondage
Sin
Disobeying God’s law by neglect, ignorance, or defiance.
Sabbath
A day to keep, to observe, to remember, a day set aside by God to be observed as holy and to rest. God commanded His people in the Old Testament to observe the sabbath. In the Christian faith, Sunday is set aside as holy to gather remembering Christ’s resurrection.
Sacrifice
Something offered in worship. Old Testament customs offered animals and fruit of the land as sacrifices to God. According to the Bible, our obedience to God is more important than anything else we can give.
Sadducees
A group of Jewish people who did not believe in the resurrection, in fact, they only believed in the books of the Law.
Saint
Holy one set apart. This term is used to identify people who have a Christ-like spirit who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Salvation
Deliverance from sin and evil, preservation from the consequences of sin and disobedience to God. Salvation, offered to everyone, is only the reward of those who accept Christ.
Samaritan
A person who lived in Symaria, later used as a term to identify the children of Jews who married non-Jews and their bi-racial children. Jews hated Samaritans and condemned having any dealings with them. Jesus, being Jewish, did not allow racial prejudice to interfere with His offer of living water (eternal life) to a Samaritan woman.
Sanctification
God’s cleansing that sets a person apart removing the desire to commit sin from their character, birthing a Christ-like spirit within an individual who has turned to God. Jesus prayed for our sanctification.
Sanctuary
Holy place, church or temple. We are to respect the house of God as a holy place set apart for worship.
Saviour
Rescuer from danger, deliverer, redeemer. Use of this word in the Old Testament mostly referred to God while New Testament use refers to Jesus and God.
Scribe
A person skilled in copying documents with extreme accuracy and care. Scribes were used to make certain documents did not lose correctness when being rewritten or transcribed into another language before the invention of the printing press. Were employed by judges, kings, nobles, temples, cities, etc. because of their excellent attention to detail and knowledge. The accuracy of Jesus’ teaching amazed well-educated persons because He taught with authority without nitpicking (looking for small unimportant issues) as the scribes were known for.
Seraphim
Winged angels, messengers for God. The exact physical appearance of seraphim is not known, but the Bible describes them as having six wings.
Sexual Immorality
Any sexual act performed that defiles God’s perfect will for a man or woman is impure whether persons are married (adultery) or unmarried (fornication).
Spirit
One’s temper and disposition, the essence of who an individual is. The Lord searches, sees, and knows the spirit of a man.
Spiritual
Non-physical, coming from God and given to man, any being made in the image of God, of God or like God. It is the Spirit of God that enables us to become like God and able to enjoy the peace of Christ.
Stiffnecked
Stubborn, bull-headed, self-willed, haughty spirit. God withholds blessings from stiffnecked people and they are destined to fall.
Stumbling Block
Obstacle or barrier. The Apostle Paul’s preaching confirming the divinity of Jesus Christ was a roadblock devout Jews could not get past.
Supplication
An earnest plea or prayer, begging for something. The prophet Jeremiah prayed asking if God’s people pray to the Lord, their pleas for God’s help would be heard.
Synagogue
Temple, Jewish place of study, meeting, and worship. When Jesus entered a city He taught in the Jewish synagogues.
T
Testimony
Provide evidence or proof of the existence or appearance of something as one recounts their religious conversion or experience. May be done in written format or orally, but must be the solemn truth as it gives witness to God. (Spirit First)
Tabernacle
Tent or temporary dwelling. In the Old Testament, the children of Israel used a portable tent to worship in until the temple was built. In the New Testament, this term is used to refer to one’s physical body as well.
Tarry
Wait, stay longer than intended, delay leaving. Paul was asked to extend his time in the temple in Ephesus where he talked with the Jews, but he did not extend his visit.
Temptation
Desire to do something bad that you find appealing, enticement especially wrong or unwise, bait, trap, snare. Things that trap us to do wrong are things that appeal to us and do not come from God.
Thanksgiving
Expression of gratitude, giving thanks, especially towards God. We should show gratitude and give thanks to God even in our prayers.
Tithe
One tenth of money or possessions. Tithing is a form of worship and if we fail to do so, we are robbing God.
Transgress
Sin, disobey God, rebel, cross the line, move from doing right to wrong. We must exercise care not to break the law of God because doing so is sin.
Tribulation
Mental, physical, or spiritual oppression that comes intent to stop us from loving and serving God. God will help us when we are faced with excessive troubles.
U
Unclean
Dirty, polluted, defiled. God instructed His people to stay away from unclean things and people. Jesus had compassion on those who were unclean and healed them.
Unleavened
Prepared without yeast so it does not rise. The Feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover was celebrated with unleavened bread to remember deliverance from Egypt. When used in Communion we celebrate our deliverance through Jesus Christ from sin.
Usher
A person who shows people to their seats as in a theater or a church. Not used in Scripture, per say, but frequently used in modern church.
V
Vain
Pointless, useless, thinking too much of yourself. Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, realized that the endless cycle of trying to gain things in life through selfish ambition is pointless.
Vestibule
Hall or lobby. Not used in Scripture, per say, but used often in a church setting.
W
Witness
Tell what you have seen or experienced. When we share the good news of the Gospel and our faith in Jesus, we are Christ’s witnesses telling the truth that helps others.
Wrath
Anger. While man’s anger often leads to hurting others, God’s anger both corrects and motivates us to good works.
Y
Yahweh
Name for God, Hebrew meaning "Lord". In Bible times YHWH (yahweh) was considered so sacred that it was not pronounced, hence, Lord was used in its place.
Yoke
A wooden frame that connects two animals together so they can work together, a burden or oppression. Jesus wants us to be yoked to Him and assures us that He does not burden believers.
Z
Zealous
SCHEDULE
One of the major keys to going higher and deeper in your relationship with God is knowing His Word. But you can't know and love it until you READ it! We have provided a great schedule for reading the entire Bible in just one year! And it only takes about 30 minutes a day...definitely worth the time.
DID YOU KNOW?
This week's
"Did You Know...?"
Each poem in Lamentations is a Hebrew acrostic.