Category: Bible Terms

Definitions to key words found in the Bible and words that relate to faith and Bible reading.

Bible Term: Second Coming

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

After Jesus died and returned to heaven (the ascension), angels promised he would one-day return (Acts 1:11). This is anticipated as the “second coming” of Jesus to earth.

Key verse about Second Coming: Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed. (John 4:53-54, NIV).

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Scripture

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

In general, scripture refers to any holy book or sacred text.

Specifically, the Bible is referred to as Scripture or the Holy Scripture.

Interestingly, the word scripture only occurs in the New Testament of the Bible and refers to the accepted religious texts of that day, what we now call the Old Testament.

Key verse about Scripture: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Savior

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

A savior is one who saves or rescues another from a calamity or danger. This descriptive noun is often used as a proper noun, Savior, to reference Jesus who rescues those who follow him.

Also see Christ and Messiah.

Key verse about Savior: Come quickly to help me, my Lord, and my Savior (Psalm 38:22, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Saved

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

Being saved is to be rescued. In spiritual terms, saved means to be rescued from death.

The Bible says that anyone who calls on Jesus will be saved (Acts 2:21). This is comparable to John 3:36, which says anyone who believes in Jesus will have eternal life.

See salvation and Savior.

Key verse about Saved: “You have saved our lives,” they said. “May we find favor in the eyes of our lord; we will be in bondage to Pharaoh”(Genesis 47:25, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Satan

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

Satan is an angel who rebelled against God and was kicked out of heaven. One-third of the angels rebelled with him and were also expelled.

Satan leads these fallen angels, also called demons, in his quest against God and his people. They oppose followers of Jesus and attempt to thwart God’s plans.

As an angel, Satan is a created being and therefore not equal in power or stature to God. Despite this, some wrongly view God and Satan as having comparable power.

Satan is called by many names in the Bible, including the dragon, serpent, devil, evil one, accuser, adversary, and enemy.

Some people deny the existence of Satan, while others cower in fear. A more balanced attitude is to accept his existence, realize he has power, but focus on God who is more powerful and will prevail.

Key verse about Satan: Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason” (Job 2:3, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Sanctify

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

To sanctify (the verb form of sanctification) is to set apart, to refine, or to make holy.

As we follow Jesus, we sanctify ourselves—with his help—to show our gratitude and gratefulness for what he did, and does, for us.

Sanctify is a synonym for consecrate.

Key verse about Sanctify: May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Sanctification

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

Sanctification is to be set apart, refined, or made holy.

Whereas consecration is something that God commands his people to do, sanctification is something that God does in us. He sets us apart and makes us holy. We can’t sanctify ourselves; God does.

Sanctification is a process that is set in motion when we follow Jesus.

See sanctify, which is a synonym for consecrate.

Key verse about sanctification: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3, NKJV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Salvation

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

In general terms, salvation is being rescued (or saved) from a difficult or desperate situation.

From a Christian perspective, salvation, or rescue, occurs through Jesus.

The purpose of Jesus’ coming to earth was to die in place of all of us for the wrongs we have done. In essence, he paid our fine and did our time, so that we won’t have to.

If we accept this gift or act of Jesus’, it makes us right with God the Father, who is perfect, thereby allowing us to be with him for all eternity.

It’s easy to accept this gift (it’s free) and start on a journey with Jesus. Jesus simply said, “Come, follow me,” (Mark 1:17).

Key verse about Salvation: Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!(Psalm 14 :7, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Sadducee

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

The Sadducees were a Jewish sect that did not believe in the resurrection (Acts 23:8). They were often in opposition to the more prevalent Pharisees; both were often criticized by Jesus (Matthew 16:6).

(A humorous and clever childhood memory aid is that the Sadducee did not believe in resurrection, that is why they were “sad, you see.”)

Compare to Pharisee.

Key verse about Sadducee: The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven (Matthew 16:1, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Sacrament

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 4, 2014

A sacrament is a religious rite or Christian ceremony. The two common, and universally recognized, sacraments are baptism and communion (also called the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, or the Eucharist).

Some Christians have defined a total of seven sacraments: baptism, communion, confirmation, marriage, reconciliation, the anointing, and holy orders.

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