A glossary of common "Christianese" words
Believer: another name for Christian.
Crucifixion: a means of execution employed by the Romans. After being whipped nearly to death, the criminal was stripped naked and then attached, by three large nails (one through each wrist and one through both feet), to a T-shaped wooden post (the cross), usually in view of a busy road.
Faith: Faith (as used in the Bible) is best defined as a belief that results in action. If I believe that my house is on fire, I will call 911 and then get out. A man may "believe" in the existence of God, but if he does not act upon that belief, he is no better off than the devil.
Flesh: Of course, flesh can refer to your skin or your body. In the Bible it also sometimes refers to that part of our nature that desires to do wrong and disobey God.
Fruit: besides referring to the stuff you get in the grocery store, fruit is often used in the Bible to mean the good qualities (such as love, patience, and self-control) that God produces in the hearts of Christians.
Gospel: The word "gospel" means "good news". It refers to the good news that we can be saved from hell by trusting in Jesus' death.
Justification: to be declared "not guilty" by God. Since all of us have sinned, the only way we can be "justified" is for God to accept Jesus' death as the payment for our sins.
Salvation: the state of being saved from God's judgment.
Spirit: Humans have a spirit, soul and body. The soul is composed of the mind, will, and emotions. The spirit is the part of man which is able to communicate with God, since God is a spirit. The conscience is also part of the spirit.
Walk: Besides the normal meaning, "walk" in the Bible refers to the way we behave. For instance, "walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise" means "be careful how you act".
Works: often used in reference to the good things we do to try (in vain) to earn God's forgiveness or acceptance.
Last updated August 25, 2005