“going home”

Christians typically use this to refer to their eventual, eternal home – heaven.

gospel: Literally, the “good news” that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the human race and rose from the dead, and that those who believe in him will be saved from him.

Gospels: Refers to the first four books of the New Testament – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – that chronicle the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

grace: Receiving something that’s undeserved. Christians believe that it’s only by God’s grace that humans can be saved from punishment for their sin.

“growing in my faith”: See Christian walk.

hallelujah: A term that Christians use to express praise and thanksgiving to God. It’s often said that hallelujah is the only word that’s the same in every language.

heresy: False teaching that’s not in line with the Bible or historical Christian beliefs and seriously undermines all of Christianity.

“his mansion”: Term that refers to heaven.

holiness: Turning away from sin and setting oneself apart for the Lord, being completely devoted to him in every aspect of one’s life.

Holy Ghost: See Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit: Third person of the Trinity.

“I have Jesus in my heart”: The Bible talks a lot about Christ coming into the life of a Christian. Jesus says in Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.” The Apostle Paul adds that if I’m a Christian, then I no longer live (see dying to self) but Christ lives in me.

“in his time”: Expresses the idea that God engineers circumstances according to when he wants them to occur, not when you or I do.

“In the end, God wins”: The belief that God will ultimately defeat evil and that Jesus Christ will reign forever.

“in the world, but not of the world”: The model that Christians should follow while living on this earth – living in the world as Christlike examples (see also salt and light), but not compromising God’s standards in the process.

incarnate: See God incarnate.

“inconceivable”: Expression that Vizzini uses in The Princess Bride each time something happens that he hadn’t planned on.

intercessor: Someone who pleads on behalf of another before a king. Through his sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus interceded for Christians (and continues to do so), taking their punishment upon himself. The Bible also calls Christians to intercede for others through prayer, making other people’s requests known before God.

“Invite Jesus into your heart”: This expression refers to the decision to become a Christian. See also I have Jesus in my heart.

Judgment Day: God will judge all people based on their thoughts and actions over the course of their lives. Those judged “sinful,” as measured against God’s perfect standard, are sentenced to hell. Those saved by the Blood of Christ will receive eternal life in heaven.

justification: The declaration by God that Christians are made acceptable to him because of the Blood of Christ. Christians aren’t automatically considered worthy; instead, Christ’s righteousness is credited to them. In addition, Christians have been justified (or made right with) God only through his grace, not due to good behaviour or actions. See also righteousness.

koinonia: A Greek word that means literally “communion together in God’s grace,” or simply “fellowship.”

Lamb of God: Another name for Jesus Christ. See also Blood of the Lamb.

“laying it at the foot of the cross”: See laying it on the altar of God.

“laying it on the altar of God”: The idea of giving up either a problem or something you hold dear and allowing God to have it.

Light of the world: Jesus is the symbolic light of the world, according to John 8:12.

Lord: A common term for God.

“making Jesus the Lord of your life”: See dying to self.

martyr: A Christian who dies as a direct result of his or her witness for Christ.