Words of faith
Library
Christian words in plain language. Choose how deep you want to go.
New to this
The basics, explained for anyone, church or no church.
GodThe one Creator of everything, who is personal, good and holy, and who wants you to know Him.JesusA real man from history who is also God, who died for our sins and rose again.Holy SpiritGod Himself, present with and inside everyone who trusts Jesus, helping them know Him and change.BibleA collection of 66 books that Christians trust as God speaking to people through human writers.GospelThe good news that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, so anyone can be made right with God.SinAnything we think, say or do that goes against God and His good way, and it separates us from Him.GraceGod's undeserved kindness: He gives us love, forgiveness and help we could never earn.FaithTrusting God and relying on Jesus, not just believing facts about Him.RepentanceTurning around: changing your mind about sin and God, and turning from sin back to Him.ForgivenessGod cancelling the debt of your sin because of Jesus, and you doing the same for others.SalvationGod rescuing you from sin and its results, and bringing you into life with Him for ever.CrossThe wooden execution post where Jesus died, taking the punishment for our sins in our place.ResurrectionJesus came back to life in a real body after He died, and one day all His people will too.SoulThe real you inside: your life, mind and heart, which lives on even after your body dies.PrayerTalking with God, in your own words, about anything, knowing He hears you.ChurchThe people who belong to Jesus, gathered together, not a building.BaptismA ceremony with water that Jesus commanded, marking someone as belonging to Him.HeavenWhere God is fully present, and the home He is preparing for His people for ever.HellFinal separation from God and His goodness. The Bible warns about it so that no one has to go there.Eternal lifeLife with God that starts now when you trust Jesus and never ends.
Growing
For when you know the basics and want to understand more.
TrinityChristians believe in one God who exists as three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.Born againBeing born again means God gives you a new life on the inside when you trust Jesus.JustificationJustification means God declares you not guilty and right with Him because of Jesus, not your record.SanctificationSanctification is the lifelong process where God makes you more like Jesus, step by step.HolinessHoliness means being set apart for God: pure, different and fully His.RighteousnessRighteousness means being right with God and doing what is right, and Jesus gives both.TemptationTemptation is a pull toward doing wrong, and feeling it is not the same as giving in.FleshIn the Bible, "the flesh" often means the part of us that wants to live without God.ConscienceYour conscience is the inner sense God gave you that tells you what is right and wrong.WorshipWorship is giving God the honour, love and attention He deserves, with your whole life.DiscipleshipDiscipleship means learning from Jesus and following Him in everyday life, not just believing facts about Him.Kingdom of GodThe kingdom of God is God's rule, where things are the way He wants them, begun in Jesus.CovenantA covenant is a binding promise that creates a relationship, like God's promises to His people.CommunionCommunion is the meal of bread and wine, or grape juice in many churches, that Christians share to remember Jesus' death until He comes.Spiritual giftsSpiritual gifts are abilities the Holy Spirit gives Christians so they can serve and build each other up.Fruit of the SpiritThe fruit of the Spirit is the character God grows in you: love, joy, peace, patience and more.FastingFasting means going without food, or something else, for a time to focus on God and pray.Sabbath restSabbath means a regular day of rest God gave, and the deeper rest you find in Jesus.Christ (Messiah)Christ is not Jesus' surname but a title meaning the promised King God sent to save.SatanSatan is a real spiritual enemy of God and people, already defeated by Jesus.
Going deeper
Original words, the big picture, and where Christians differ.
Spirit, soul and bodyThe Bible's way of describing you as a whole person: a body you can touch and an inner life.AtonementWhat Jesus did on the cross to put right everything that broke between us and God.IncarnationGod the Son became a real human being, Jesus, without stopping being God.Image of GodEvery person is made to reflect God, which gives every human life worth and dignity.Union with ChristWhen you trust Jesus, you are joined to Him, and what is His becomes yours.AdoptionGod takes you into His family as His own child, with full rights and a real Father.ElectionThe Bible teaches that God chooses people to be His, and Christians explain that choice differently.Law and gospelGod's law shows what is right and where we fall short. The gospel shows what Jesus did for us.Inspiration of ScriptureGod guided the human writers of the Bible so that what they wrote is truly His word.CanonThe list of books that belong in the Bible and carry God's authority.Second comingJesus will come back to earth in person, to judge, to make all things right and to stay.New creationGod's promise to make you new now and to make the whole world new in the end.AssuranceKnowing with quiet confidence that you belong to God, because of what Jesus has done.Sovereignty of GodGod is in charge of everything, and nothing is out of His reach or beyond His care.GlorificationThe final step of salvation, when God makes you completely like Jesus, body and soul, for ever.