Proverbs 1:5
Below are some explanations of common terms attributed to the Christian faith.
The Bible shows very clearly that there is only one God, and yet that there are three personal distinctions in His complex nature, traditionally referred to as “three Persons in the Godhead”—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Billy Graham
“Messiah” comes from the Hebrew word mashiach, meaning “anointed one” or “chosen one.”
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince
of Peace.
Deliverance from the power and effects of sin
Merriam-Webster
God sent Jesus Christ to rescue us from the curse of our sin though his death, resurrection and our repentance of sin.
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
An offense against religious or moral law
Merriam-Webster
The Ten Commandments Outline some laws of the Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 20). Many other laws are found in the book of Leviticus.
1John 1: 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
There are many Christians who believe that the second coming of Jesus Christ will be in two phases. First, He will come for believers, both living and dead, in the “rapture” (read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). In this view, the rapture—which is the transformation and catching up of all Christians, dead or alive, to meet Christ in the air—will be secret, for it will be unknown to the world of unbelievers at the time of its happening.
Billy Graham
The word “tribulation” means severe trial or suffering, and the Great Tribulation is a time of God’s judgment for man’s rebellion. This period, which lasts seven years, begins with the rapture of the church.
Matthew24: 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus Christ will return with the hosts of heaven as well as the Church to establish the Messianic Kingdom on earth. His Kingdom will last for a thousand years. At this Second Coming, the Antichrist will be cast into the Lake of Fire and Satan will be bound for a thousand years. The nations and their representatives will be judged. Israel will be restored to her land, never more to be removed.
Moody Bible Institute
Below are some more common terms used when speaking on different ideologies.
Apologetics is quite literally the defense of the faith; the Greek word apologia means “defense” as a lawyer gives at a trial. In every generation, people face the challenges, questions, and concerns of the gospel message of the Christian faith.
In Christian theology, legalism (or nomism) is a pejorative term applied to the idea that "by doing good works or by obeying the law, a person earns and merits salvation."
However, this is an impossible task , as the breaking of just one law (committing one sin) brings about God's wrath. Beware of this false teaching
See Galatians 3:10-11
The prosperity gospel is a perversion of the gospel of Jesus that claims that God rewards increases in faith with increases in health and/or wealth.
Prosperity theology sees the Holy Spirit as a power to be put to use for whatever the believer wills.
Don't fall into this false teaching.
The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is a Person who enables the believer to do God’s will.
See 1 Timothy 6: 9-11
Jewish people believe there's only one God who has established a covenant—or special agreement—with them. Their God communicates to believers through prophets and rewards good deeds while also punishing evil. Many Jews (with the exception of a few groups) believe that their Messiah hasn't yet come—but will one day.
A person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (such as God) is unknown and probably unknowable. broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god. : a person who is unwilling to commit to an opinion about something. political agnostics.
Are dualists and worship two (or more) gods.
The literal definition of “atheist” is “a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods,”
Pagans view the world as a place of joy and life, not of sin and suffering. They believe that the divine is here with us in the natural world, not in some faraway place in the sky. They hold a deep reverence for nature and the earth. Pagans tend to be earth conscious.