Acts 17:11 Bible Studies: Concise Christian Dictionary of Terminology, Pg 2

Concise Christian Dictionary of Terminology, Page 2

Phm 1:6 (NIV) I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Page 2 includes definitions of special words that are used less often in Christianity, words that are fairly close to normal English use but have a slightly different meaning as we use them, or archaic words that may not be clear to modern readers. For more common terms, see the main dictionary page 1. If you think a word should be included that is missing here, or if you would like to make a suggestion to improve a particular definition, please let us know. Dean VanDruff

Anointing, The There is only one "Christ", which means "anointed one". Jesus shares His anointing with those who are humble and who submit to Him as Lord. The anointing is not a "force" to be ordered around, but rather the Spirit of Christ Jesus, sovereign God. [1Jn 2:18-28, 2Jn 1:7-11, 1Pt 5:5b-6. Dialog on The Anointing.]
Atonement When Jesus stepped in and took the punishment due us, paying the price for our freedom with His own blood. To reconcile. Given Christ's atonement, to feel guilt for forgiven sins is like continuing to make car payments after a car-loan has already been paid off. [Rm 3:25,8:5-11, Hb 2:17, 2Cr 5:17-21, Cl 1:19-23. Bible Study on The Blood.]
Baptism To convert or be initiated, to be immersed in, to be purified by. The Israelites were "baptized into Moses". Water baptism is a public declaration of repentance where being dipped symbolizes our death and resurrection in accordance with the Gospel. Jesus introduced a new kind of baptism: of the Holy Spirit. [Ez 36:24-27, 1Cr 10:1-2, Mt 3:11,28:19, Ac 2:38-39,8:14-20,19:1-7. More on Water & Spirit Baptism.]
Binding / Loosing Common rabbinical terms meaning "forbidding" or "allowing"; usually in terms of doctrine, teaching or practice, and normally made by the Elders. The idea is, "As in heaven, so on earth"; where our aim as the church is to reflect God's heavenly teachings and judgments on earth. [Mt 16:19,18:18, Ac 15:20, Ja 4:3,15-16, 1Jn 5:14-15]
Blood, The The "price paid" by Jesus to purchase our souls by His death on the cross, freeing us from the slavery of sin. [Rv 5:9,1:5b, 1Pt 1:18-19, 1Cr 7:23,6:19, Hb 9:15-22. Bible Study on The Blood.]
Body, of Moses From Jude 1:9, a figurative reference to the believing remnant of Israel, meaning those who embody and adhere to the teachings of Moses, similar in use to "The Body of Christ". Alternatively, some suggest the literal body, but there is no record of such in scripture. [Zec 3:1-2, Da 10:13,12:1a, Ne 10:29, Jn 1:17]
Bride, The As in "The Bride of Christ". An often used type and metaphor in Jesus' teaching which refers to believers. The culmination of human history is described as a wedding celebration. [Jn 14:3, Eph 5:32, 2Co 11:2, Rv 19:7, Jn 3:29. Bible Study on The Bride.]
catholic, Church With a small "c", meaning the whole thing, comprehensive, universal. With a capital "C" denotes the Roman "Catholic" church, which belies its claim to be the entire church. The "catholic" church is all Christians everywhere--regardless of denomination--who believe and follow the gospel of Jesus Christ. [Ep 2:18-22,3:6,18, 1Co 1:2,14:23]
Covenant Deal, Agreement, Contract; as in Old and New. The Old Covenant is the Law of Moses. The New Covenant is the Gospel of Jesus Christ; where we are saved by grace and not by obedience to the Law. [Hb 7:11-22,8:6-10,12:24, 2Cr 3:6-11, Gal 3:10-25. Bible Study on Grace vs. The Law.]
Conviction A judge passing a sentence of "guilty". In the Christian sense, where we agree with God's condemnation of the carnal nature or flesh. There is "no more condemnation" (Rom 8:1) only if and when we allow God to fully "condemn sin" (Rom 8:3) and "put to death" (Rom 8:13) all that is deserving of conviction in us. A work of the Holy Spirit. [Jn 16:8-11, Rm 5:16-18,8:1-13, Pv 1:23. Bible Study on Conviction.]
Disciple As a noun, to believe in Jesus' teachings, person, and sacrifice; to follow his example and grow into His likeness. As a verb, to assist another in the way of the Lord Jesus Christ. [Mt 16:24, Lk 14:27, Jn 8:31, 13:35,15:8, Mt 10:24-25,12:49. Bible Study on The Cross.]
Edification To "build up"; the purpose of fellowship and the gifts of the Spirit. To encourage "dying to self" as a means to gain resurrection life through the Gospel; and especially to speak words of faith to the new-life in believers to endure all things for the joy set before us. [1Co 14:3,12; 1Th 5:11, Ep 4:12-16, Gl 4:19. Short take on Reactions to the Holy Spirit.]
Epistle An old word meaning "letter". Many of the new testament books were written as "epistles", or letters. As the word of Christ manifests in us as we grow in grace, we serve as "living epistles". [2Cr 3:2-3, Hb 8:10]
Eschatology From the Greek word "eschatos", meaning "last"; the study of prophecies concerning Christ's return at the End of the Age. Often associated with the Rapture and its placement in the prophetic timeline. [Rv 1:3, Hb 1:2, 2Pt 3:3, 2Th 2:1-5 Meditation on The Last Trumpet.]
Eucharist, The An archaic term for The Lord's Supper, referred to as well as Communion, the Elements, the Lord's Table, or Mass by Catholics. A consideration of the mystery of The Body of Christ in consuming bread and wine which harks back to Jesus' last supper, a Jewish Passover seder. [Lk 22:13-20, 1Cr 10:16-17,21,11:23-29, Jn 6:32-58, 2Co 4:18, Ac 2:42,46]
Fathers, The As in "The Fathers of our Faith". Those we are spiritually related to in the family of God. A common perspective, and controversy, in Jesus' teaching. [2Pe 3:4, Mt 3:9, Jn 1:13,8:39-44, 2Co 4:18, Is 51:2, Lk 1:17. Dialog on The Fathers.]
Heresy Deviation from Christian doctrine in either: 1) The nature of God; or 2) The Gospel / how men can be saved. Heretics must be denounced and separated from. Outside of these essentials of the faith, other errors are "false teaching", not heresy. [2Ti 1:12c-d, 2Pt 2:1-2, 1Cr 15:34, Tt 1:16, 2Cr 11:13-15, Ac 20:29-31, Jude 1:3-4, Gl 1:6-9,2:4-5,3:1-5]
Heaven & Hell Heaven is the "place" Jesus has gone to prepare for us, which he will bring back to a recreated earth. Hell is a lake of eternal fire and punishment awaiting those who reject Jesus Christ. All people will end up in Heaven or Hell after the final judgment. [Jn 14:2-4, Rv 21:1-8, Mat 13:40-50, Lk 12:4-5, Mk 9:42-48. Bible Study on God's Wrath.]
Immanuel A compound Hebrew word meaning: "With Us is God (El)"; conveying the idea of incarnation. A title of Jesus Christ. (Emmanuel is an old English spelling.) [Is 7:14, Mt 1:23, Lk 1:31-34]
Incarnation God becoming a man and dwelling among us. Jesus Christ is both God and man. [Jn 1:14, Rm 1:3-4, Hb 2:11-17, 1Tm 3:16, Plp 2:6-10]
Leaven An old word for Yeast. Symbolic of sin in scripture. In the New Testament it is used typologically for the sin of hypocrisy in particular. Jesus tells us: "beware the yeast". [Lk 12:1c,13:21, Mt 16:6-12, 1Cr 5:6-8. 2nd draft Bible Study on Blindness / Hypocrisy / Yeast.]
Light, The Illumination of sin; an absence of secrets; an openness and transparency. The blessing of living in the light is that if/when we are loved, it sinks in to us rather than being deflected by a mask of projected image. [Jb 12:22,24:13-17, Dan 2:22, Is 29:15-16 Jn 3:19-21 1Cr 4:5b. Bible Study on The Light.]
Love Defined in scripture as "giving your life for". When the [interests, will, growth, pleasure, safety, etc.] of someone or something else becomes more important than your own [interests, will, growth, pleasure, etc.]. [1Jn 3:16, 1Th 4:9, 1Cr 14:1, Rm 12:9. First Draft Bible Study on Love.]
Maranatha An Aramaic phrase used in the Greek New Testament in 1Cor 16:22 that for some strange reason was not translated in the King James Version, and has thus been somewhat adopted into English. It means "Come, O Lord!" and refers to King Jesus. [1Co 16:22, 1Th 4:14, Jude 1:14, Rv 3:11,22:30]
Nicolaitans A Greek word pulled into the KJV without being translated in Rev 2:6&15. The word nikao means "to prevail, overcome or conquer"; laos means "the people". The Nicolaitans, then, are those who "lord it over the laity" or "prevail over the people". Jesus forbids all such. [Lk 22:24-27, 3Jn 1:9, 1Tm 2:5-6. Bible Study on Servant Authority.]
orthodox With a small "o"; meaning "right doctrine". To be orthodox is to be faithful to the original; in the case of Christians to be true to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. With a capital "O" denotes a particular steeped-in-tradition denomination. [2Tm 2:15,4:3, Tt 1:9,2:1, Mk 7:5-9. Bible Study on The Truth.]
Pentecost A Jewish feast held 50 days after Passover: the "first fruit" feast of harvest, and one of three times a year believing Jews made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On the Pentecost after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the promised Holy Spirit was poured out. [Ex 23:16-17, Dt 16:9-11, Ac 2:1-41]
Parable In Greek, a placing beside; a comparison. The same as the Hebrew mashal: a resemblance, likeness, or comparison. In some cases Jesus used parables to shroud the truth from unbelievers, not to make things more clear. [Ps 78:2, Mat 13:10-16, Mk 4:11, Lk 8:10,18]
Redemption From a Greek word associated with slavery; meaning a ransom payment to purchase freedom. In the Christian sense, the price of the death of Jesus which purchases us from the mastery of sin. [Jn 8:34, Cl 1:13-14, Ep 1:6-7, Rv 5:9. Bible Study on The Blood.]
Rest Being at peace. Connotative of the sabbath. Jesus fulfilled the sabbath, and He is the rest that we are to enter into "Today". [Jn 14:27, Heb 3:7-4:11]
Repentance To turn, to take in a new point of view, to change one's mind. To look at it God's way. Most often, it means to turn away from sin and look to the Lord Jesus. [Jn 6:40, Lk 13:3, Rm 2:4, Ac 17:30,3:19, Ps 104:5. Bible Study on Repentance.]
Salt Enhances the flavor of food, especially meat. Metaphorically, how our lives, love, and courtesy can cause those around us to be more interested in the things of God. [Jb 6:6, Mt 5:14, Cl 4:6, Tt 2:10]
Sanctuary A safe place. In the Christian sense, not a building or physical place; but rather a spiritual safe place of being "in God" or "in Christ". [Ps 27:4-5,32:7,71:3, Cl 3:1-3, Lk 13:34. 1st draft Bible Study on Sanctuary and Dialog on The Secret Place.]
Self Denial, Death to Self Experiential obedience to the Gospel, where we agree with God's conviction of our "flesh" or carnal natures, so that we can be resurrected into newness of life by the power of the Holy Spirit. [Mk 8:34-35, Rm 8:13, Cl 3:3-7, Ep 4:21-24. Bible Study on Death to Self.]
Shekina A legendary Jewish word referring to the luminescent cloud of the Lord's glory which led the Israelites out of Egypt, and is connotative of the presence of the Lord. Very likely the "star" that led the wise men directly to Jesus. [Ex 13:21-22, De 1:23, Ne 9:29, Mt 2:9-10. Dialog on The Star of Bethlehem.]
Shema The first word, "hear" in Hebrew, of the great commandment, which has become a Jewish shorthand to refer to the entire passage: "Hear, O Israel... Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." [Mr 12:29-30, Lu 10:27, Dt 6:5]
Son of Man A prophetic title used by Ezekiel that was consummated in Christ Jesus, and speaks of His humanity. The prophet was a man who spoke for God; Jesus was "the perfect expression of the Father". "Son of man" is what Jesus most often called Himself. [Ez 2:1-2, Dn 7:13-14, Mt 16:13,24:30, Ac 7:37,56, Hb 2:14, 1Ti 3:16, Rv 1:13,14:14]
Spiritual Gifts Supernatural empowerment for Christian ministry that all believers are given. We should earnestly seek the higher gifts, and be zealous about exercising them. [Hb 2:4, Rm 12:4-8, 1Cr 12:4-11,27-31,14:12, Ep 4:7-12, 1Pt 4:10, 2Ti 1:6. Spiritual Gift Dictionary]
Theology The "knowledge of God" that comes only by revelation through the Holy Spirit, by grace. If we know God, it will be proven by what we do. [2Pt 1:2-3, Jr 4:22, 1Cr 15:34, 2Th 1:8, Gl 4:8-9. Bible Study on Theology.]
Typology How people, places, objects, and events are used to prefigure or symbolize things as types in Scripture. [Gal 4:23-25, Hb 9:8-9,23, Mk 24:27,32. Snippet on Typology.]
Tongues As in "speaking in tongues"; a grace-gift of the Holy Spirit. Either a supernatural language of the Spirit, or an ability to speak in a human language not known by God's miraculous power. The Corinthians had misused this gift, so we have a whole chapter in scripture dealing with its proper use in 1 Cor 14.
Unpardonable Sin, The A sin against the Holy Spirit: ascribing a clear manifestation of God's power and glory to being a work of Satan; a rejection of a distinct revelation of the Lord for the motive of holding onto idolatrous notions. [Mt 12:24-32, Mk 3:22-30, Jn 2:8. Dialog on Blaspheming the Holy Spirit.]
Watching Abstaining / "fasting" from sleep; usually to pray, praise, study, or fellowship. [Lk 6:12, Mt 26:38-40, Lk 22:45-46, Cl 4:2. Bible Study on The Disciplines.]

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