1. Adoption–The legal process where an unbeliever becomes a member of God’s family and enjoys the privileges and obligations as Christians. (Rom. 8:15-23; 9:4; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5).
  2. Aliens– A foreigner, someone who is not Jewish and does not reside in Israel. (Acts 7:6;
    Eph. 2:19; 1 Pet. 1:1; 2:11).
  3. Apostle - Someone sent with a special message or commission. Jesus is called the apostle and High Priest of our confession in Heb. 3:1. See also, (Rom. 1:1; 11:13;
    1 Cor. 1:1; 15:9; 9:1; Eph. 1:1; 1 Tim. 2:7).
  4. Arminianism –The theological system consisting of five main points: 1) God elects or reproves on the basis of foreseen faith or unbelief, 2) Christ died for all men and for every man, although only believers are saved, 3) Man is so depraved that divine grace is necessary unto faith or any good deed, 4) This grace may be resisted, 5) Whether all who are truly regenerate will certainly persevere in the faith is a point which needs further investigation.
  5. Atonement –The act of appeasing another person. Biblically the method of restoring relationship between God and man through the blood sacrifice and death of Jesus on the cross. (Leviticus 17:11; Heb. 9:22 Rom. 3:25 Eph. 1:7 Heb. 2:17; 1 Pet. 2:24).
  6. Baptism–An application of water either by immersion or sprinkling that signifies a person’s identification with belief in and following Christ. (Matt. 20:19; Acts 10:44-48; Rom. 6:4-5; Col. 2:11-12)
  7. Blasphemy - Speaking evil of God or denying Him some good which we should attribute to Him. (Matt. 12:31; 26:65; Mark 14:64; John 10:33; Rev. 2:9).
  8. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit – Attributing the work of Christ in casting out demons to the power of the devil (Matt. 12:22-32)
  9. Born again – A change in the person from unregenerate to regenerate where God then indwells the person (John 14:23). Literally, the Greek says it is to be “born from above” (John 3:3,7;
    1 Pet. 1:3, 23).
  10. Called; The, Chosen - Called to be saved by God. (Rom.1:7; 8:30; 9:24; 1 Cor. 1:24; 7:24 Eph. 4:1-4; Col. 3:15; 1 Thess. 4:7; Heb. 5:4).
  11. Calvinism – A theological system of five main points: 1) Total depravity: that man is touched by sin in all parts of his being: body, soul, mind, and emotions, 2) Unconditional Election: that God’s favor to Man is completely by God’s free choice and has nothing to do with Man. It is completely undeserved by Man and is not based on anything God sees in man, 3) Limited atonement: that Christ did not bear the sins of every individual who ever lived, but instead only bore the sins of those who were elected into salvation, 4) Irresistible grace: that God's call to someone for salvation cannot be resisted, 5) Perseverance of the saints: that it is not possible to lose one's salvation.
  12. Church – In the New Testament the church is understood in two main ways: 1) all who are believers, 2) the local assembly of believers, with the latter usually consisting of elders, deacons, baptism, communion, etc. (Matt. 18:17; Acts 2:41; Col. 1:18, 25;
    1 Tim. 3:15; James 5:14).
  13. Christ -The anointed one, the anointed Savior. It is from the Greek Christos which is translated from the Hebrew Messiah(John 1:41; Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 1:1).
  14. Circumcision - In the O.T. it was a putting off of a part of themale reproductive organ, which included shedding of blood, as a symbol of covenant relationship of God's people with a holy God. Christian circumcision is "putting off" not a part, but an entire "body of the flesh". (Gen. 17:1-14; Rom. 2:29; 4:9-12; Phil. 3:3; Col. 2:11-12).
  15. Communicatio Idiomatum -The Christian doctrine that the attributes of both the human nature and the divine nature of Jesus are ascribed to him as a single person. In other words, Jesus claimed the attributes of both humanity and divinity. (John 3:13; 6:62 17:5; 19:28;
    Luke 2:52).
  16. Condemnation - Declaring an evil doer to be guilty according to the Law. It is the punishment inflicted; testimony by good example against malefactors. (Rom. 5:16; 8:1; 1 Tim. 3:6).
  17. Covenant - A legal contract between two or more parties with stipulations and penalties. The Ten Commandments fit the ancient covenant pattern. There are many different covenants in the Bible: Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Davidic, New, etc. Covenants have signs associated with them such as the Rainbow with the Noahic Covenant.(Ex. 20:1-17; Jer. 31:31-34; Luke 22:20; Acts 3:25; Rom. 9:4; 11:27; Gal. 3:8).
  18. Decree–An official declaration or proclamation. When it pertains to God it is his eternal purpose according to his will whereby he has foreordained whatsoever shall come to pass. (Isa. 46:9-10; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28).
  19. Depravity, Total –Man is completely touched/affected by sin in all that he is (in nature he is completely fallen), but he is not as bad as he could be (in action, i.e., not all murder, etc.). Furthermore, this total depravity means that the unregenerate will not, of their own free will, choose to receive Christ. They need an external act.(Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; Rom. 3:10-11; 6:16-20; Eph. 2:3; 1 Pet. 1:3).
  20. Elect, Election - Those selected by God for a purpose, goal, and/or eternal salvation. Synonyms used in Scripture are “chosen”, “called” (Matt. 22:14; 24:31; Luke 6:13; acts 9:15; Rom.8:33).
  21. Enmity -Deep rooted hatred (Luke 23:12; Rom. 8:7; Gal. 5:20; Eph. 2:15; James 4:4).
  22. Essentials of the Faith - Those doctrines revealed in Scripture that properly define the essence of Christianity. 1) Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1,14; 8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4); 2) Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14) ; 3) Salvation is by grace through faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2; 5:1-4) ; 4) The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9); 5) There is only one God (Ex. 20:3; Isa. 43:10; 44:6,8), 6) God exists as a Trinity of persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (See Trinity), 7) Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (nature of incarnation), 8) Jesus is the only way to God the Father (John 14:6). The atonement was finished on the cross (John 19:30; Col. 2:14).
  23. Eternal Security – The teaching that the Christian is eternally secure in the work of Christ so that his salvation cannot be lost.(John 3:16; 6:37-40; 10:27-28; 1 John 2:19).
  24. Eutychianism - The theological error concerning the person of Christ that teaches that the two natures of Christ are so intermingled that they are indistinguishable. (See Hypostatic Union)
  25. Evangelist–A person who proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ. The word occurs only three times in the New Testament (Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:5).
  26. Fall, The – The event where Adam and Eve rebelled against God and sin entered the world through Adam (Gen. 3; Rom. 5:12,18; 1 Cor. 15:22).
  27. Faith–The intellectual conviction and persuasion that something is true even though it may not be provable. (Heb. 11:1; Eph. 2:8; 6:16; James 2:14).
  28. Federal headship –The theological position that the male represents hisdescendants. Therefore, when Adam sinned, we fell in him since he represented us. (Rom. 5:18;
    1 Cor. 15:22; Heb. 7:7-10).
  29. Firstborn - The first of the mother's offspring. It stands figuratively for that which is most excellent. The firstborn male of the family carried certain familial rites. It also refers to Christ being the first raised from the dead. (Col. 1:15, 18; Rom.8:29; Heb. 1:6; 12:23; Rev. 1:5). It was a transferrable title (Gen. 41:51-52; Jer. 31:9).
  30. Flesh–The material component of the human body that in the New Testament is frequently used to describe the carnal aspect of a person. (Rom. 8:8; 1 Cor. 15:39; 15:50; 2 Cor. 12:7;
    Gal. 1:16; 5:17).
  31. Free Will - The ability to make voluntary decisions without coercion. A choice is free if it is consistent with the person’s desires.
  32. Free Will, Compatibilist – The position that man's free will is restricted by his sinful nature and as a result the sinner can choose only what his sinful nature will allow him to choose which means he will not choose God of his own free will. He must be enabled to believe by God. (1 Cor. 2:14; Rom. 3:10-11; 6:14-20; John 6:28-29; Phil. 1:29)
  33. Free Will, Libertarian - The position that man's free will is not restricted by his sinful nature, in that he is not enslaved by sin such that he only chooses sinful things, and that he can freely choose to accept or reject God despite his enslavement to sin.
  34. Foreknow - In the N.T. it does not mean merely "to know beforehand", but also to cause to be. It can almost mean to know salvifically (Matt. 7:22-23; Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 1:2,20; Gen. 18:19; Ex. 33:12; Is. 43:1).
  35. Forgiveness -The decision to not hold a grievance and/or sin against another person. God forgives Christians and does not hold them accountable for their sins against him. Christians are to forgive as they have been forgiven.(Matt. 6:12; Mark 2:7; Rom. 3:25; Eph. 1:7; 4:32;
    Col. 1:14; 2:13; Heb. 9:22;1 John 1:9).
  36. Gentile – A Gentile is a non-Jew. Therefore, it would be a person anywhere in the world other than a member of the Jewish nation. (Matt. 18:17; Mark 7:26).
  37. Glory -The ultimate splendor of God’s presence and attributes, that aspect of God which is worthy of praise, honor, respect, worship, etc. (Psalm 19:1; 148:13; Isa. 42:12; Eph. 1:17).
  38. Glorification – The expression of the glory of God by worshipers. It is also the final state of the redeemed when the Christian receives his resurrected body. (Rom. 8:28–30;
    1 Cor. 15:35-45; 2 Cor. 3:18).
  39. Gospel- The good news that we have forgiveness of sins through Jesus, and faith in Jesus, without the requirement of keeping the Law in any way. Specifically, the gospel is defined by Paul as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 1:9,15,16; 3:28; 4:1-5).
  40. Grace -Unmerited favor bestowed upon a person. God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Justice not met. (Rom. 11:6).
  41. Heresy -A doctrinal view that deviates from the truth, a false teaching. We are warned against it in Acts 20:29-32 and Phil. 3:2. Heresies include teachings that Jesus is not God and that the Holy Spirit is not a person (i.e., Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphians, The Way International), that men may become gods (Mormonism), that there is more than one God (Mormonism), that Jesus lost His divinity in hell and finished the atonement there, and that good works are necessary for salvation (Catholicism and all cults). (1 Cor. 11:19; Titus 3:10-11; 2 Pet. 2:1).
  42. Holy -Holiness is a quality of perfection, sinlessness, and inability to sin that is possessed by God alone. As Christians we are called to be holy (1 Pet. 1:16). But this does not refer to our nature. Instead, it is a command of our practice and thought. We are to be holy in obedience and thoughts (1 Pet. 1:15). God has made us holy through his Son Jesus (Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:9).
  43. Holy Spirit -The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is completely divine. He is called God (Acts 5:3-4), has a will (1 Cor. 12:11), speaks (Acts 8:29; 13:2), and knows all things (John 14:17). He is called the Spirit of God (Gen. 1:2), Holy Spirit (Psalm 51:11), the Helper (John 14:16,26), and Eternal Spirit (Heb. 9:14). He knows all things (1 Cor. 2:10-11), is all powerful (Luke 1:35), and is everywhere (Psalm 139:7-13). (See Trinity and Holy Spirit.)
  44. Humility -The attitude of the Christian that teaches us not to "...think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment..." (Rom. 12:3). It is knowing who we are in relation to God and others.(Prov. 6:3; 16:19; Matt. 11:29; James 4:10;
    1 Pet. 5:6).
  45. Hypostatic Union–This is the union of the two natures (Divine and human) in the one person of Jesus. Jesus is God in flesh (John 1:1,14; 10:30-33; 20:28; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8). He is fully God and fully man (Col. 2:9); thus, he has two natures: God and man. He is not half God and half man. (See the errors of Nestorianism, Eutychianism, Monophysitism)
  46. Impurity–Impurity is uncleanness, a condition of being ceremonial wrong, possessing a defect in either physical appearance (sores, wounds, scabs), spiritual condition (sin). (Rom. 6:19; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19).
  47. Imputation- To reckon to another’s account. A legal transfer of debt or surplus.(Leviticus 15:16-33; Numb. 31:23; 1 Pet. 2:24; Phil. 3:9).
  48. Infinity, actual - An actual set or condition without end or restriction. Example, any given line has an infinite number of points on that line. The number cannot be ascertained. Actual infinities are problematic. For example, the number of points on a line (is infinite) is equal to the number of points on half of that same line (also infinite).
  49. Infinity, potential – An actual set or condition that has the potential of being infinite but when examined is finite. Example, any given line is doubled, doubled again, doubled again, etc., will increase towards an infinite length since it has the potential of being infinitely long. However, whenever the line is examined in order to measure its length, its length is finite, the distance is finite. It has the potential of being infinitely long through its continued increase but itself is never infinitely long.
  50. Inheritance–A legal and/or social transferof property, privileges, and/or obligations from one person or persons to another person or persons. Biblically the firstborn male receives double the inheritance. (Deut. 21:15-17; Prov. 19:14; 1 Cor. 6:9; 15:50; Heb. 1:14).
  51. Inspiration – The movement of God upon a person to bring about God’s desire in speech, deed, and/or writing. The breathing of God upon a person where Scripture is written. (2 Tim. 3:16; Luke 24:27-45; John 10:34-36; Isa. 55:11).
  52. Judgment – Ascertaining the proper penalty and or reward for an action. Breaking the law of God carries a legal penalty, death (Rom. 6:23). There is a judgment of the believer sins (John 5:24), of the believer’s self (1 Cor. 11:31-32), the believer’s works (2 Cor. 5:10), of the nations (Matt. 25:31-46), and the judgment of the wicked (Rev. 20:11-15). There is no judgment for Christiansen regards to salvation (Rom. 8:1). (Matt. 10:15; 12:36; John 3:19; 2 Thess. 1:5; James 3:1; 2 Pet. 2:9; Jude 6; Rev. 14:7; 17:1; 20:4)
  53. Justification, Justify - The declaration of righteousness. A legal act of God granting to the believer, the righteousness of Christ. (Rom.4: 1-5, 25; 5:16,18; Phil. 3:9; Gal. 3:8).
  54. Israel– The new name given to Jacob after wrestling with God at Penuel (Gen. 32:28). It is the name given to the descendants of Israel in which the country is now named. (Josh. 3:17;
    Jer. 3:21; Psalm 73:1; Rom. 9:6; 11:26; Eph. 2:12).
  55. Law and Prophets - A phrase used in the N.T. as a means of dividing the O.T. The Law was the first five books, and the Prophets were all the rest. (Rom.3:21).
  56. Law, The -Moral do's and don't's. The Law is a manifestation of the character of God (Matt. 12:34). It is wrong to lie because it is against God's character to lie. (Titus 1:2; Rom.2:12-15; 3:20; 4:15; 5:13; 6:14; 7:1; 8:2; 9:31; 10:4; 13:8,10).
  57. Mercy - Justice not met. Showing kindness instead of judgment. (Rom.9:15,16,18; 11:30,31,32; 15:9).
  58. Lord, LORD -A title given to someone of high stature. In reference to God a title of sovereignty and kingship.(Gen. 33:14). LORD is typically rendered from the Hebrewאֶֽהְיֶה YHWH (the Tetragrammaton), consisting of the four consonants which make up the name of God: YHWH, or Yahweh. (Gen. 17:1; 18:1; Ex. 3:14)
  59. Love–Affection and/or devotion from one person to another or upon an object, possession, or station. Love is translated from different words in the Greek New Testament, agape (loving commitment), phileo (brotherly), and eros (physical). Many consider “agape” to mean divine love, but it is used of the Pharisees’ love their high position in Luke 11:43. (John 3:16; 15:13)
  60. Materialism -The philosophical position that the only things that exist in the universe are material things and its properties. Materialism would deny the existence of the immaterial and therefore would deny God’s existence.
  61. Melchizedek – The priest and king of Salem who blessed Abraham (Gen. 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4; Heb. 5:10; 7:1-17).
  62. Monophysitism - The theological error regarding the two natures of Jesus which states that the two natures were combined into a new third nature of the god-man nature. (See Hypostatic Union).
  63. Non-contingency – Having no dependence upon anything for existence, occurrence, essence, or character. God is not dependent upon anything else for his existence. God is everlasting and the creator of the universe.(Gen. 1:1-5; Psalm 90:2).
  64. Nestorianism - The theological error that the two natures of Christ are so separate that there are essentially two persons in the single body of Christ. (See Hypostatic Union)
  65. Ontological –Pertaining to ontology or the nature of the existence of something.
  66. Ordain – The act of officially recognizing a person’s call to ministry. Also it is the sovereign act of God to plan and bring about whatever he desires in the world. (Isa. 46:10;
    1 Tim. 4:14; Eph. 1:11).
  67. Ordinance–An authoritative command and or procedure usually expressed inside a group or organization. Biblically, it is baptism and communion.(Ex. 12:14; Eph. 2:15).
  68. Original Sin –A term used to designate the effect of Adam’s sin on his descendants. Specifically it is our inheritance of a sinful nature from Adam and his representation of us in The Fall (Rom. 5:12-21; Eph. 2:3; 1 Cor. 15:22).
  69. Pastor -A person called by God to have spiritual care over the people of God, usually with in a local congregation. Pastors are to be men as are elders(Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 2:12-13; 1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5-7).
  70. Predestine - To destine or decree beforehand to occur. (Acts 4:27-28; Rom.8:29-30;
    Eph. 1:4-5).
  71. Principality–A magistrate, leader. In the angelic realm, it is a being who works against the Lordship of God.(Col. 1:16; Eph. 1:21; 6:12).
  72. Prophet– The Old Testament prophet spoke on behalf of God to man (Numb. 12:6-8; Deut. 7:1; Jer. 1:9). In the New Testament context a prophet is one who has a word from the Lord regarding the future. Such prophets are often seen as those who can give words of exhortation(1 Cor. 13:2; 14:6; 22:2; Peter 1:20-21).
  73. Propitiation - The sacrifice that turns away God’s righteous wrath. (Rom.3:25; 1 John 2:2).
  74. Reconcile - To bring into harmony, proper relationship. To remove disagreement or enmity. (Rom.5:10; 11:15; Eph. 2:11-15).
  75. Redemption - The act of buying back, freeing from bondage. Israelites were redeemed from Egypt. Christians are redeemed in that they are bought with the blood of Christ and therefore are the possession of God. (Acts 20:28; Rom.3:24; 8:23; Col. 1:14; Eph. 1:7, 14; 4:30).
  76. Regeneration – The change in the person where he or she is made a new creature and the Lord God indwells him or her (John 14:23; 2 Cor. 5:17). It is synonymous with being born again which literally is in the Greek, born from above. (John 3:3).
  77. Repentance - Turning from sin, having a change in heart and mind. (Rom.2:4; Acts 17:30;
    2 Pet. 3:9).
  78. Resurrection - Raising from the dead. The final resurrection brings about the manifestation of glorified bodies. (Rom.1:4; 6:5; 1 Cor. 15:35-45).
  79. Revelation– Disclosing something that was unknown. There is natural Revelation (also called General Revelation) where creation reveals the majesty and greatness of God (Rom. 1:20). Special Revelation is that which is revealed about God through the Scriptures (Numb. 12:6-8; 2 Tim. 3:16).
  80. Righteousness - Moral excellence and/or proper legal standing before the Law of God.