A |
|
|
|
absolution The assurance
given to someone who repents of his sins that they are forgiven
because of Jesus Christ's perfect life and death as a payment for
all sin.
Advent Coming. The
portion of the Church Year which focuses on the coming of Christ
into the world in human form.
Alleluia "Praise Ye the
Lord"
apostle One who is sent.
A term applied to the twelve disciples (students) of Christ who
were selected by him for special training in preparation for their
mission of spreading the Gospel. The term was also applied to Paul
who was converted by Jesus from a persecutor of Christians into a
bold preacher of the Gospel. He was given the title since one of
the qualifications for an apostle was to be an eye-witness of
Christ, and Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus |
 |
Ascension The day in the
Church Year on which we celebrate Jesus' return to heaven after
his rising from the dead.
Ash Wednesday A day in
the Church Year intended to let people meditate on their
sinfulness. Ashes are sometimes applied to the foreheads of
worshippers as a sign of humility. It is also the first day of the
season of Lent.
atonement Making amends for a wrong. Describes Christ's
perfect life and innocent death in our place to reconcile us with
God. "...God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not
counting men's sins against them" (2Corinthians 5:19). |
B |
|
Back to top |
|
Baptism A one-time
sacrament (see below) in which God's word is spoken and water is
applied to a person for the forgiveness of sins. |
 |
blessing A favor or gift
from God. |
C |
|
Back to top |
|
canticle A liturgical hymn
Christ The anointed one.
The title of Jesus. In Old Testament times anointing with oil
(putting oil on someone's head) was often done to officially
designate someone as the rightful holder of an office. At his
baptism Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit to show his right
to the offices of our prophet, priest, and king.
Christian One who relies
on Christ alone to save him from his sin and its eternal
consequences.
Christmas A church
festival celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Church, The Holy Christian
(Communion of Saints) All people who trust in Christ as their
only savior from sin, regardless of church affiliation.
Communion (See Lord's
Supper) |
 |
confession Admitting your
sin. Also used to describe a public statement of faith (for
example, Lutheran Confessions).
confessional Subscribing to
a confession of faith. Clover Trinity is called a confessional
church because it publicly states its belief that the Lutheran
Confessions (see above) are a true statement of what the Bible
teaches.
covenant An agreement
between two parties. Used to describe the agreements God has made
at various times with his people.
creed A formal statement
of beliefs (for example, The Apostles' Creed). Creeds were written
by the Early Church to combat false teachings.
crucifixion A form of
execution in which a person was nailed to a cross and left to die. |
D |
|
Back to top |
|
disciple(s) Student. The
followers of Christ during his ministry on earth. |
 |
doctrine A teaching or set
of teachings |
E |
|
Back to top |
|
Easter The season of the
Church Year which focuses on Christ's rising from the dead after
his death on the cross.
Epiphany Appearance. The portion of the Church Year which
focuses on the events which showed Jesus to be the Son of God. |
 |
evangelical Having an
strong emphasis on proclaiming the Gospel. |
F |
|
Back to top |
|
faith "Faith is being sure
of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews
11:1) |
|
flesh A term often used to
describe the sinful nature of Humankind. This term can also refer
to the sinless human nature of Jesus Christ (see John 1:14). |
G |
|
Back to top |
|
Good Friday A day in the
Church year set aside to commemorate the crucifixion of Christ and
the suffering he went through on our behalf. It is called "Good"
because during Christ's crucifixion he was taking on himself the
punishment for the sins of the whole world (See Isaiah 55:5). |
|
Gospel Good news. The
message that God's love for the Human Race is so great that he
sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins.
Also a term used to refer to the four biblical accounts of Jesus'
ministry (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). |
H |
|
Back to top |
|
heaven God's dwelling
place. Where all who trust that Jesus died and rose again to save
them from their sins will go to live forever after their death.
hell A place of eternal
separation from God for those who die without trusting in Christ
to save them from their sins. |
 |
holiness A state of
perfection. This state of perfection is God's standard for living
in harmony with him --"...without holiness no one will see the
Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). The only way for us to have holiness is
through Jesus Christ, "who has become for us wisdom from God --
that is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption" (1
Corinthians 1:30). |
I |
|
Back to top |
|
institution, words of The
words spoken by Jesus on the evening when he instituted the Lord's
Supper. |
 |
|
J |
|
Back to top |
|
Jesus Savior. This name was
given by God through the angel Gabriel. "...you are to give him
the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins"
(Matthew 1:21). |
 |
justification To be
declared not guilty. Describes the result of Christ's death and
rising from the dead on our behalf. "He (Jesus) was delivered over
to death for our sins and was raised to life for our
justification" (Romans 4:25). |
L |
|
Back to top |
|
Law The portions of God's
word which show us our sin and our inability to save ourselves
from sin and death. It is also used to refer to portions of the
Old Testament section of the Bible.
Lent A forty day period in
the Church Year starting with Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter
Sunday. It is a time to focus on the suffering of Christ to pay
for the sins of the world |
 |
liturgy A structured format
for a public worship service.
Lord's Supper A sacrament
(see below) in which a person receives the body and blood of Jesus
Christ along with the visible elements (bread and wine) for the
forgiveness of sins.
LC-MS Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. An organization of churches
sharing a common set of beliefs to which Clover Trinity Lutheran
Church and School belongs. |
M |
|
Back to top |
|
Maundy Thursday The last
Thursday in Lent. Commemorates Jesus' last supper with his
disciples and the institution of the Lord's Supper. |
 |
Messiah Hebrew word for
anointed. Equivalent to the Greek term 'Christ'. |
N |
|
Back to top |
|
New Testament The books of
the Bible written after Christ returned to heaven. |
 |
NIV New International
Version. The Bible translation used most frequently in worship
services in the LC-MS. |
O |
|
Back to top |
|
Old Testament The books of
the Bible written before Christ came to earth as a human being |
|
Original Sin The sin each
person has passed down to him from Adam because of his sin in the
Garden of Eden (Genesis, Chapter 3) |
P |
|
Back to top |
|
Palm Sunday A Sunday in the
Church Year which reminds us of Jesus' triumphant entry into
Jerusalem on the Sunday before his death on the cross.
Pentecost A day in the
Church Year set aside to remember when the Holy Spirit came on the
Apostles and signaled the start of the Christian Church. |
|
psalm A Biblical poem
written to be chanted or sung during worship. |
R |
|
Back to top |
|
redeem To buy back.
Describes what Jesus did for all people by coming to earth, living
a perfect live to fulfill God's demands of all people, and dying
on the cross for the sins of all people of all time. "You are not
your own; you were bought at a price" (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).
repent To change your mind.
Used to describe turning away from sin and resolving to follow
God's commands with his help. |
 |
resurrection Rising from
the dead with an immortal body.
righteousness Thoughts,
words, and actions that are in accordance with God's will. All
such acts ultimately come from God, working through the believer. |
S |
|
Back to top |
|
sacrament An act instituted
by Jesus Christ which uses a visible element with God's word to
bring the forgiveness of sins to an individual (see Baptism and
Lord's Supper). saints
Another term for believers in Jesus Christ. Indicates the fact
that they are sinless in God's sight because of their trust in
Jesus as their savior.
salvation Rescue from
the power and penalty of sin. Describes Jesus work in our behalf. |
 |
sanctification The process
of conforming to God's will in our thoughts, words, and deeds.
This process is a result of the Holy Spirit (see trinity) working
in our heart.
Scriptures Another name for God's Word, the Bible.
sin Disobedience to God.
Any thought or action which does not meet God's standard of
perfection, either by failing to do something demanded or by doing
something forbidden by God.
soul The part of a
person which continues to exist after the body dies. |
T |
|
Back to top |
|
testament Covenant (see
above). transgression
To break one of God's commands by doing something he forbids
or by not doing something he commands. (See also sin). |
 |
triune (trinity) Three in
One. A word used to express how God reveals himself in the
Bible--one God in three persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. |
|
|
Back to top |
