Christian Terminology

Confused with some of the terms we've used? Want to get clarity on some? Here's were we try to clear up some confusion with some of the terms. Just email [Child of God] if you'd like something defined that isn't already here.
(Some definitions are courtesy of www.dictionary.com)

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Ascension: In Christianity, the bodily rising of Jesus into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection.

Autonomy/Autonomous: Not controlled by others or by outside forces; independent

Blood of Christ/Blood of the Lamb/Blood of Christ: When Jesus died on the cross, the blood He spilt acted as the final sin offering, to atone for the sins of all the people of all the world throughout the rest of history. When we accept the blood of Christ, we accept that offering which was made for us to atone for our sins.

Body of Christ: At communion, bread is used to signify Christ's body and honour the sacrifice He made for us. The term is also used to mean the church, or the Christain Community.

Christ: The title given to Jesus. Means Messiah, who was prophesized in the Old Testement (Torah) to be a king and deliverer and was expected by the Jewish people.

Covenant: A promise in an indenture, or any other formal debt agreement, that certain activities will or will not be carried out; a formal sealed agreement or contract.

Enemy (the): Satan and his followers.

Free Will: The power of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate or divine will.

Holy Spirit: The Spirit of God which resides in those who accept the free gift of Christ.

Lamb of God: What Jesus is referred to as, since we see Him as the final sin offering.

Lord's Supper: Communion. Honouring and remembering the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, where bread and wine are used to represent his body and blood. We partake of communion to show that we are in Christ and Christ is in us.

Perfect Sacrifice: Because Jesus was sinless and without fault, He is refered to as the perfect lamb for the ultimate sin offering for all people.

Prayer: An act of communion with God, such as in devotion, confession, praise, worship, or thanksgiving

Seed: For all you perverted people out there, Seed in Christianity refers to decendant

Reconcile: To reestablish a close relationship between, to settle or resolve. Since Christ acted as the ultimate sin offering for all people, whenever we accept that sin offering by accepting Jesus we are reconciled to God.

Rejoicing (in Jesus' Death): We don't celebrate the fact that this innocent man was barbarically crusified, we celebrate that God loved us so much to send Jesus to us, and that Jesus loved us so much He was willing to die, acting as the perfect sacrifice for our sins and reconcilling us to God.

Satan/Devil/Lucifer/Morning Star: The most beautiful of God's angels, who rebelled against God. He lead a rebellion against Heaven, which he lost and resulted in himself and his followers to be expelled from Heaven forever. Hell is their dwelling, though with the fall of Adam and Eve he also has dominion over the Earth through sin. It is through the death and resurrection of Jesus that this control on creation was severed.

Sin: Something regarded as being shameful, deplorable, or utterly wrong; To commit an offense or violation.

Sin Offering: An offering which the Jewish priest would make before God to atone for sins, either for an individual, himself or for the community. A lamb or goat is what is commaded, though if a person can't afford either, two pigeons or doves will suffice, or if a person is unable to afford that, then flour is used. If the priest, or the nation sins, then a young bull is to be offered. (Leviticus 4-5) This is why we call Jesus the Lamb of God, because He was the ultimate sin sacrifice.

Torah: The Jewish Bible and the Old Testement found in the Christian Bible.

Trinity: refers to God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. No, these are not three seperate Gods, (there is only one God) these are just the three ways in which God reviels Himself to us. Check out the Myths section for more information on this one.

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