“Christianese” A Guide to the Jargon and Lingo of Christians

Bible Abbreviations: NT – New Testament OT – Old Testament NIV – New International Version KJV – King James Version NKJV – New King James Version HCSB – Holman Christian Standard ESV – English Standard Version Terms: Adoption: When someone surrenders their life to Christ they are brought into the family of through the finished work of Jesus Christ. (SEE  Romans 8-9; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5) Atonement: When Jesus died on the cross, he bore the punishment for our sins. His blood was shed as a sacrificial offering which enabled the reconciliation between God and man. (SEE  1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:12) Bride of Christ: This refers to the church which is the redeemed body of believers who are God’s chosen children. Marriage as we experience it presently is a representation of the spiritually intimate relationship we will have with God after we have been fully sanctified. (SEE  Ephesians 5:29-32; Revelation 21) Count The Cost: In the scriptures Jesus calls those that set out to follow him to first count the cost and recognize the sacrifice of following Jesus. (SEE  Luke 14:25-33) Die To Oneself: This refers to surrendering and dying the selfish ways of the fleshly nature in order to honor God by living by the Spirit. (SEE  Luke 9:23; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 8:13) Disciple: When used as a noun it means to be a student and follower of Christ. As a verb it means to train others in the Christian . (SEE  Luke 14:27; John 8:31-32; Matthew 28:18-20) Do Life Together: This is in reference to living and seeking fellowship within the community of believers. The person that seeks this is a person that desires unity. (SEE  Acts 2:42-47)

Election: This is in reference to God choosing in His sovereignty those people that will be saved. (SEE  Romans 8:31-39; Romans 9:1-29) Eternal Security/Once Saved Always Saved: The that we have received by God’s grace through faith in Jesus cannot ever be lost or taken away from us. God’s salvation is constant and never ceases. (SEE  John 10:27-29; John 6:37; Romans 11:29) Evangelism/Witness: This is in reference to intentionally sharing with someone about the salvation that has been made available through and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. (SEE  Matthew 28:15-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:10-17)

Flesh: This is in reference to our physical and sinful human nature that is apart from divine influence. (SEE 1 John 2:15-17; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 8:1-17) Gospel: This in a literal way means “good news”. The “good news” is that Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins and we can be reconciled with God through Christ’s finished work. (SEE Matthew; Mark; Luke; John; Romans 1-8) Grace: The favor and goodwill that we receive from God that we do not deserve and have done nothing in order to receive. The unmerited favor of God towards man. (SEE  Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:14; John 1:16)

Heart: This refers to your very self. (SEE  Matthew 22:37; Matthew 6:21; Proverbs 4:23) In Jesus’ Name: This refers to making requests in the name of Jesus – as His representative – as He instructed in John 14:13-14. It is commonly used at the end of prayers, however it is not a magic phrase to get what you want. (SEE  John 14:13-14)

Justification: This refers to being made righteous in the eyes of God through the finished work of Jesus Christ. (SEE  Romans 3:28; Romans 5; Galatians 2:16) Missions: This refers to the task of fulfilling the Great Commission which instructs us to go out spreading the name of Jesus to others. (SEE  Matthew 28:19-20) Personal Relationship with Christ: This refers to your connection, association, and involvement with Jesus through prayer, praise, and worship. (SEE  James 4:8)

Prodigals: This refers to those who have known the goodness of God, but have turned away from Him. (SEE  Luke 15:11-32)

Propitiation: This refers to Jesus taking our place and bearing the punishment for our sins. (SEE  Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10)

Regeneration: This refers to being made new by God from the sinful nature that once gripped us. (SEE  Titus 3:3-7)

Repentance: This refers to being conscious of guilt as a result of sin and turning from that sin to God. (SEE  Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9) Sanctification: This refers to the process by which the Christian is purified in heart and mind. This is completed upon death or Christ’s return. (SEE  Romans 6:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Saved: This refers to the deliverance from the consequences and power of sin through Jesus’ death and resurrection. (SEE  Ephesians 2:8-9; Mark 16:16; John 10:9)

Second Coming: This refers to the return of Jesus to judge and rule the earth. (SEE  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 21-22)

Sin: This refers to transgression against God and in a literal sense means to miss the mark. (SEE  Genesis 4:7; John 16:7-9; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12-14)

Spiritual Gifts: This refers to skills/abilities given by the Holy Spirit to be used in the building of the Kingdom of God. (SEE  1 Corinthians 12) Trinity: This refers to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This term is not specifically found in scripture but is demonstrated in Matthew 3:15-17 and Genesis 1:26-27. (SEE  Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 3:15-17)

Union with Christ: This refers to being united with Jesus in purpose, thought, and action. (SEE  Romans 12:5; John 17:20-23; Ephesians 3:14-19)

Your Walk: This refers to your personal study of scripture, prayer, praise, worship of and obedience to Jesus. (SEE  Genesis 5:22-24, Ephesians 5:8; Hebrews 12:1-2)