“Christianese”
A Guide to the Jargon and Lingo of Christians
Bible Abbreviations:
NT – New Testament
OT – Old Testament
NIV – New International Version KJV – King James Version
NKJV – New King James Version HCSB – Holman Christian Standard Bible
ESV – English Standard Version
Terms:
Adoption: When someone surrenders their life to Jesus Christ they are brought into the family of God through the finished work of
Jesus Christ. (SEE  Romans 8-9; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5)
Atonement: When Jesus died on the cross, he bore the punishment for our sins. His blood was shed as a sacrificial offering which
enabled the reconciliation between God and man. (SEE  1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:12)
Bride of Christ: This refers to the church which is the redeemed body of believers who are God’s chosen children. Marriage as
we experience it presently is a representation of the spiritually intimate relationship we will have with God after we have been fully
sanctified. (SEE  Ephesians 5:29-32; Revelation 21)
Count The Cost: In the scriptures Jesus calls those that set out to follow him to first count the cost and recognize the sacrifice of
following Jesus. (SEE  Luke 14:25-33)
Die To Oneself: This refers to surrendering and dying the selfish ways of the fleshly nature in order to honor God by living by the
Spirit. (SEE  Luke 9:23; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 8:13)
Disciple: When used as a noun it means to be a student and follower of Christ. As a verb it means to train others in the Christian
faith. (SEE  Luke 14:27; John 8:31-32; Matthew 28:18-20)
Do Life Together: This is in reference to living and seeking fellowship within the community of believers. The person that seeks
this is a person that desires unity. (SEE  Acts 2:42-47)
Election: This is in reference to God choosing in His sovereignty those people that will be saved. (SEE  Romans 8:31-39; Romans
9:1-29)
Eternal Security/Once Saved Always Saved: The salvation that we have received by God’s grace through faith in Jesus cannot
ever be lost or taken away from us. God’s salvation is constant and never ceases. (SEE  John 10:27-29; John 6:37; Romans 11:29)
Evangelism/Witness: This is in reference to intentionally sharing with someone about the salvation that has been made available
through belief and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. (SEE  Matthew 28:15-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:10-17)
Flesh: This is in reference to our physical and sinful human nature that is apart from divine influence. (SEE 1 John 2:15-17;
Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 8:1-17)
Gospel: This in a literal way means “good news”. The “good news” is that Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins and we can be
reconciled with God through Christ’s finished work. (SEE Matthew; Mark; Luke; John; Romans 1-8)
Grace: The favor and goodwill that we receive from God that we do not deserve and have done nothing in order to receive. The
unmerited favor of God towards man. (SEE  Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:14; John 1:16)
Heart: This refers to your very self. (SEE  Matthew 22:37; Matthew 6:21; Proverbs 4:23)
In Jesus’ Name: This refers to making requests in the name of Jesus – as His representative – as He instructed in John 14:13-14.
It is commonly used at the end of prayers, however it is not a magic phrase to get what you want. (SEE  John 14:13-14)
Justification: This refers to being made righteous in the eyes of God through the finished work of Jesus Christ. (SEE  Romans
3:28; Romans 5; Galatians 2:16)
Missions: This refers to the task of fulfilling the Great Commission which instructs us to go out spreading the name of Jesus to
others. (SEE  Matthew 28:19-20)
Personal Relationship with Christ: This refers to your connection, association, and involvement with Jesus through prayer,
praise, and worship. (SEE  James 4:8)
Prodigals: This refers to those who have known the goodness of God, but have turned away from Him. (SEE  Luke 15:11-32)
Propitiation: This refers to Jesus taking our place and bearing the punishment for our sins. (SEE  Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 1 John
4:10)
Regeneration: This refers to being made new by God from the sinful nature that once gripped us. (SEE  Titus 3:3-7)
Repentance: This refers to being conscious of guilt as a result of sin and turning from that sin to God. (SEE  Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; 1
John 1:9)
Sanctification: This refers to the process by which the Christian is purified in heart and mind. This is completed upon death or
Christ’s return. (SEE  Romans 6:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Saved: This refers to the deliverance from the consequences and power of sin through Jesus’ death and resurrection. (SEE 
Ephesians 2:8-9; Mark 16:16; John 10:9)
Second Coming: This refers to the return of Jesus to judge and rule the earth. (SEE  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 21-22)
Sin: This refers to transgression against God and in a literal sense means to miss the mark. (SEE  Genesis 4:7; John 16:7-9; Romans
3:23; Romans 5:12-14)
Spiritual Gifts: This refers to skills/abilities given by the Holy Spirit to be used in the building of the Kingdom of God. (SEE  1
Corinthians 12)
Trinity: This refers to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This term is not specifically found in scripture but is
demonstrated in Matthew 3:15-17 and Genesis 1:26-27. (SEE  Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 3:15-17)
Union with Christ: This refers to being united with Jesus in purpose, thought, and action. (SEE  Romans 12:5; John 17:20-23;
Ephesians 3:14-19)
Your Walk: This refers to your personal study of scripture, prayer, praise, worship of and obedience to Jesus. (SEE  Genesis
5:22-24, Ephesians 5:8; Hebrews 12:1-2)