THE WORDS OF THE FAITH, IN PLAIN LANGUAGE.
18 Christian terms defined simply and anchored in Scripture. Each one links to a full guide in the Kingdom Journal when you want to go deeper.
18 terms shown
- Baptism
A washing with water, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, that marks a person as belonging to Jesus. Going under the water pictures dying and being buried with Christ; coming up pictures rising to new life with Him.
Key passage · Romans 6:3–4
Full guide: What Is Baptism? Why Christians Get Baptized- Born again
Receiving new spiritual life from God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not turning over a new leaf but a new birth: God's Spirit makes a person alive to Him and part of His family.
Key passage · John 3:3–8
Full guide: What Does It Mean to Be Born Again? John 3 Explained Simply- Calling
God's invitation to belong to Him and to serve Him with the gifts, opportunities and burdens He has given. Every believer shares the call to follow Jesus; each also has a particular part to play.
Key passage · Ephesians 2:10
Full guide: How to Find Your Calling (Without Waiting for a Lightning Bolt)- Discipleship
The lifelong process of following Jesus, learning to obey what He taught, and helping others do the same. A disciple is a learner who becomes like the Teacher and then makes more disciples.
Key passage · Matthew 28:19–20
Full guide: Discipleship That Actually Multiplies- Evangelism
Sharing the good news about Jesus Christ with people who don't yet know Him, and inviting them to trust and follow Him. The word comes from the Greek euangelion, "good news".
Key passage · Romans 10:14–15
Full guide: What Is Evangelism? Meaning, Bible Verses, and How to Start- Fasting
Voluntarily going without food (or another normal comfort) for a set time in order to focus on God in prayer. It isn't a diet or a way to earn God's favour.
Key passage · Matthew 6:16–18
Full guide: Christian Fasting: A Beginner's Guide to Biblical Fasting- Gospel
The good news that God, through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, forgives sinners, makes them new and brings them into His kingdom, as a free gift received by faith.
Key passage · 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
Full guide: What Is the Gospel? The Good News of Jesus Explained Simply- Grace
God's undeserved kindness: His free gift of love, forgiveness and new life to people who have done nothing to earn it and could never repay it.
Key passage · Ephesians 2:8–9
Full guide: What Is Grace? God's Grace Explained Simply- Great Commission
The command Jesus gave His followers after His resurrection: to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything He commanded, with the promise that He is with them always.
Key passage · Matthew 28:18–20
Full guide: What Is the Great Commission? Meaning, Scripture, and How to Live It Today- Holy Spirit
God Himself: the third person of the Trinity, equal with the Father and the Son, who lives in every follower of Jesus, gives new life, makes believers more like Christ and empowers their witness.
Key passage · John 14:16–17
Full guide: Who Is the Holy Spirit? A Simple Biblical Guide- Jesus Christ
God the Son, who became a man, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose from the dead. "Christ" means Messiah, the Anointed One God promised.
Key passage · John 1:1, 14
Full guide: Who Is Jesus? What the Bible Says About Jesus Christ- Kingdom of God
God's rule and reign: wherever He is honoured as King and His will is done. It arrived with Jesus, grows as people come under His rule, and will be complete when He returns.
Key passage · Matthew 6:10
Full guide: What Does "Thy Kingdom Come" Mean? The Kingdom of God Explained- Prayer
Talking with God: praising Him, thanking Him, confessing sin, and asking for what we and others need. Christians pray to the Father, through Jesus the Son, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Key passage · Matthew 6:9–13
Full guide: How to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say- Repentance
Turning: a change of mind about sin and about God that leads to a change of direction. It means agreeing with God that sin is wrong, turning away from it, and turning toward Him for forgiveness.
Key passage · Acts 3:19
Full guide: What Is Repentance? What It Means to Repent, Biblically- Revival
A season when God, by His Spirit, renews the spiritual life of His people with unusual power, so that believers return to Him in repentance and love, and many who did not know Him come to faith.
Key passage · 2 Chronicles 7:14
Full guide: What Is Revival? Biblical Meaning, Signs, and How to Pray for It- Testimony
A believer's true, personal story of how they came to know Jesus and what He has done in their life since. It isn't a sermon or an argument; it's a witness telling what they have seen and experienced.
Key passage · 1 Peter 3:15
Full guide: How to Write Your Christian Testimony: A Simple Template and Guide- Trinity
The Christian teaching that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Each is fully God, and there is only one God.
Key passage · Matthew 28:19
Full guide: What Is the Trinity? One God in Three Persons, Explained Simply- Worship
Giving God the honour, love and devotion He deserves with our whole lives. It includes singing and prayer, and also how we work, give, serve and treat others.
Key passage · Romans 12:1
Full guide: What Is Worship? A Biblical Guide to Worshipping God
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