Christian Doctrine Bible Vocab Terms

Purpose of creation

God blessing creation with his presence

Temple

A place where heaven and earth meet, filled with God’s presence

Human/image of God

Partner with God in blessing creation as kings, priests and prophets

King

One who rules like God

Priest

One who connects people with God

Prophet

One who speaks to people for God

Covenant

A commitment to partnership

Abrahamic Covenant

God’s commitment to make Israel his partner

Promised Land

Canaan/land of Israel

Mosaic Covenant

God’s commitment to make Israel his partner through the Law

Yahweh/The LORD

God’s covenant name given to Israel

Law

God’s commands to Israel given to teach them holiness, justice and cultural distinction

Exodus

God delivering Israel from exile into his presence

Exile

Israel’s removal from God’s presence into bondage

Davidic Covenant

God’s commitment to partner with Israel through a righteous king from the line of David

Anointed One

King chosen by God

Son of David

King descended from David who rules like him

Son of God

King who rules like God

Son of Man

King, true human

New Covenant

Renewal of God’s covenant with Israel, fulfilling it

Heresy

False teaching

Orthodoxy

Right teaching

Doctrine of Christ

Two natures, fully divine and fully human, united in one person without confusion or change, without division or separation

Doctrine of the Trinity

One being in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Herod

Rome appointed governor of Judea

Chief Priest

Runs the temple

Scribes

Jewish scholars

Pharisees

Populist movement waiting for the Messiah to deliver Israel

Sadducees

Elitist group friendly with Rome

Baptism

Rite of conversion to Judaism

John the Baptist

Prophet preaching repentance in the wilderness

Miracle

A sign of God’s power and authority

Demon

A spiritual being that opposes God’s rule and robs people of his blessings

Messianic secret

Repeated theme in the synoptic gospels of Jesus telling people not to tell others about his miracles

Synoptic gospels

Matthew, Mark and Luke

Disciples

Followers

Apostles

Sent ones

Parables

Riddles or stories Jesus uses to teach about the kingdom of heaven

Kingdom of Heaven

God’s rule on earth inaugurated in Jesus and lived out by his followers