Plain answers for new believers
Church Words Explained
Some church words come directly from the Bible. Others are commonly misused or are not taught in Scripture at all. Search for a word or choose one below to learn what it means.
Showing 50 of 50 words and phrases.
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Bible Words You Should Know
These are Bible words and truths every believer should understand. Some are commonly misunderstood or misused.
Word 1SavedBiblical
It means being rescued from sin, judgment, and separation from God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Word 2Born againBiblical
Jesus used this expression in John 3:3. It means receiving new spiritual life from God.
Word 3The gospelBiblical
It means the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.
Word 4GraceBiblical
God gives us favor that we cannot earn and do not deserve.
Word 5FaithBiblical
Faith is more than believing that God exists. It means trusting Him and acting upon what He has said.
Word 6RepentanceBiblical
It means a change of mind about sin and God that leads to a changed direction.
Word 7ConvictionBiblical idea
It is the Holy Spirit making a person aware of sin and the need to turn to God. Believers are also corrected through the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. See John 16:8.
Word 8ConfessionBiblical
It means agreeing with God about our sin and openly acknowledging Christ.
Word 9JustificationBiblical
It means God declares the believing sinner righteous because of Christ.
Word 10SanctificationBiblical
It is the work of God by which a believer is set apart and gradually changed to become more like Christ.
Word 11RedemptionBiblical
It means being purchased and set free through the blood of Christ.
Word 12AtonementBiblical
It refers to what was done to deal with sin and restore the sinner to God. Christ’s sacrifice fully paid for our sin.
Word 13RighteousnessBiblical
It means being right with God and living according to what He says is right.
Word 14The fleshOften misunderstood
It does not simply mean the human body. It often refers to our fallen desires and the part of us that resists God.
Word 15The worldMeaning depends on context
It can mean the earth, humanity, or the sinful system that opposes God. The passage determines the meaning.
Word 16FellowshipBiblical
It means sharing spiritual life, truth, worship, and service with other believers. It is more than eating together after church.
Word 17DiscipleBiblical
A disciple is a follower and learner of Jesus Christ, not merely someone who attends church.
Word 18TestimonyBiblical idea
It is a person’s truthful account of what Christ has done in his or her life.
Word 19Spiritual giftsBiblical
These are abilities given by the Holy Spirit for serving others and building up the body of Christ.
Word 20The body of ChristBiblical
It refers to all true believers, with Christ as the Head.
Word 21The churchBiblical
The church is the people who belong to Christ. It is not primarily a building or denomination.
Word 22PastorBiblical
A pastor is a shepherd who teaches, leads, and cares for God’s people. It is not merely a religious title.
Word 23ElderBiblical
Elders are qualified men who oversee and teach the church. In the New Testament, elder, overseer, and pastor describe closely connected work.
Word 24DeaconBiblical
A deacon is a qualified servant who helps meet the practical needs of the church.
Word 25BaptismBiblical
It is the outward act of a believer being immersed in water as an open identification with Christ. Water baptism does not save a person.
Word 26Communion or the Lord’s SupperBiblical
It is the remembrance of Christ’s body and blood through bread and the cup.
Word 27TithingBiblical word, commonly misused
Israel gave tithes under the Law, usually involving crops, livestock, and produce. The New Testament does not command Christians to give ten percent of their income. Believers are taught to give willingly and cheerfully.
Word 28AnointingBiblical, often misused
In Scripture, people were set apart for God’s purpose, and believers have an anointing from the Holy Spirit. It does not mean a popular preacher has special power that others must chase.
Word 29CallingBiblical, often used loosely
All believers are called to belong to Christ and live holy lives. A personal desire does not automatically mean that God called someone to do it.
Word 30BackslidingBiblical language
This language appears especially in the Old Testament, though the NASB often uses words such as “faithless” or “turn away.” Churches commonly use it for a believer who has drifted into sin.
Word 31RevivalBiblical idea
Biblically, revival means God restoring life and obedience among His people. A scheduled series of meetings is not automatically a revival.
Word 32TrinityBiblical truth
The word itself is not in the Bible, but the truth it describes is biblical. There is one God, and the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each revealed as God.
Word 33RaptureBiblical gathering, disputed interpretation
The English word does not appear in most Bible translations. It comes from a Latin word connected to “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Being gathered to Christ is biblical. A secret return years before His visible coming is an interpretation that must be tested by Scripture.
Test every teaching
Church Phrases You Should Test
These expressions may be church traditions, confusing slogans, misused truths, or ideas not taught in Scripture.
Word 34Altar callChurch practice
It is not a New Testament practice or command. Inviting people to respond to the gospel may be helpful, but walking to the front of a church does not save anyone.
Word 35The sinner’s prayerNot a Bible phrase
That phrase and a required prayer are not found in Scripture. A sinner may call upon God, confess sin, and ask for mercy, but repeating certain words does not produce salvation.
Word 36Accept Jesus into your heartOften confusing
This is not the way Scripture normally explains salvation. The Bible tells people to repent, believe in Christ, confess Him as Lord, and follow Him.
Word 37Rededicate your lifeNot a Bible phrase
A believer who has sinned should repent, confess that sin, and return to obedience. A public rededication ceremony is not required.
Word 38Church membershipModern church practice
Formal membership rolls are not commanded in the New Testament. Believers were clearly known, accountable, and joined to local gatherings, but signing a membership agreement is a modern church practice.
Word 39CoveringNot taught in Scripture
The idea that every Christian must be under a particular pastor’s spiritual covering is not taught in Scripture. Christ is the believer’s Head. Biblical leaders guide the flock, but they do not stand between believers and God.
Word 40ReverendNot a New Testament pastor title
It is not used in the New Testament as a title for pastors. Psalm 111:9 in some older translations calls God’s name “reverend.” Jesus warned religious leaders against seeking titles that elevate them above others.
Word 41Clergy and laityChurch tradition
These divisions developed in church tradition. Scripture recognizes leaders and teachers, but every believer is part of a royal priesthood and is called to serve God.
Word 42Prayer warriorNot a Bible title
Earnest and faithful prayer is biblical, but Scripture does not create a special class of Christians called prayer warriors.
Word 43Hedge of protectionNot a required prayer
The phrase comes from language in Job 1:10, but Christians are never commanded to pray this exact phrase. We may ask God for protection without turning it into a formula.
Word 44Slain in the SpiritNot taught in Scripture
People falling backward during religious meetings is never given as evidence that the Holy Spirit is working.
Word 45Speaking things into existenceNot biblical
God creates by His word. Human words do not possess God’s creative power.
Word 46Name it and claim itNot biblical
Faith does not mean demanding health, money, or success from God. Biblical faith trusts God even when He does not give us what we want.
Word 47Seed faithNot biblical
Giving money to receive a larger financial return from God is not biblical. Prosperity preachers commonly use this idea to manipulate people.
Word 48Binding SatanNot taught as a Christian practice
Christians are told to resist the devil, remain alert, and stand firm in faith. Scripture does not teach believers to travel around verbally binding Satan.
Word 49Pleading the bloodBiblical truth, misused phrase
The blood of Christ is completely biblical, but pleading the blood as a protective phrase or spiritual formula is not taught in Scripture.
Word 50Once saved, always savedDoctrinal slogan
It is not a Bible phrase. People use it to mean different things. The Bible passages about faith, endurance, obedience, assurance, and falling away should be examined instead of relying upon the slogan.