Bible Terms and Definitions
The following terms are defined:
The word rapture comes from the Latin word rapio. It is a verb that means to seize or snatch away. In a biblical sense, it refers to the catching away of the Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) At this time, Jesus will appear and bring with Him those who sleep in Him. They will rise first. Then those who belong to Jesus and are alive will be changed in a moment. All will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. So shall we ever be with the Lord.
Salvation is the free gift of God’s redemptive grace toward the unregenerate5. It comes from the Greek word soterion. It means deliverance or preservation. Through salvation, the unregenerate5 are delivered or set free from sin. (Romans 6:18) This is accomplished by the recreation of the spirit of man (regeneration). (Titus 3:5; John 3:6)
Rewards are commendations to be given to the saints for work done (while on earth) in obedience to Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:5,8) If the work abides, the believer will receive a reward. (1 Corinthians 3:14) (The Bible does not specifically say what the reward is.)
Rewards are also given to the saints for kind acts. (Matthew 10:42) However, the acts are not to be done for show. (Matthew 6:2-4) Rewards will be given at the Judgement Seat of Christ.
The security of the believer refers to the safekeeping of the believer. Believers are kept by the power of God. (1 Peter 1:5) God the Father has given believers to the Son. (John 6:39) The Son prayed to the Father for their safekeeping. (John 17:11,15,20) The Holy Spirit was sent by the Father to indwell the believer. (John 14:17)
The spirit of man is the part of man that was created in the image and likeness of God. (Genesis 1:26) It is the immaterial part of man, not in common with animals.
The soul of man is the part of man that animates the body. It contains the mind, emotions and will. The soul is the bridge between the spirit and the body. (Genesis 2:7) The soul of man is the part of man in common with animals.
The body of man is the material (physical) part of man. It allows man to function in the earth and interact with other human beings. (Genesis 2:7, 24,25)
Standing refers to a believer’s position in Christ. The believer
- Justified by faith. (Romans 5:1)
- An heir of God. (Romans 8:17)
- A joint heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17)
The believer has been baptized into the Body of Christ, sealed with the Holy Spirit, accepted in the beloved and blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:13; Ephesians 1:3,6,13) Believers are born to an incorruptible, undefiled inheritance. This inheritance is reserved in heaven and does not fade away. (1 Peter 1:3,4)
State refers to a believer’s spiritual condition. This condition reflects the believer’s behavior. Behavior may be carnal or spiritual. (1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Galatians 6:1-10; Hebrews 5:14) Carnal behavior is walking in the same manner as unregenerate4 men. (1 Corinthians 3:3) Spiritual behavior is discerning between good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14)
The believer’s standing is unchanging. The believer’s state can change for better or worse.
Speaking in tongues is the supernatural ability of the born again believer to speak directly to God in a language he or she has never learned and does not know. The believer does this by the aid of the Holy Spirit. The proper name for this phenomenon is glossilalia.
Glossilalia is the initial evidence or sign that a believer has been baptized in the Holy Spirit. When a believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit, the believer’s spirit is immersed in the Holy Spirit. Just as water has the effect of wetting the believer’s body when it is immersed in it at water baptism, the Holy Spirit has an effect on the believer’s spirit when it is immersed in the Holy Spirit at Holy Spirit baptism. The effect of the Holy Spirit on the believer’s spirit is the phenomenon of glossilalia. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for every believer. Therefore, glossilalia is for every believer. (Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6)
There are two uses of tongues. They are
- Personal. (1 Corinthians 14:2,4,14,18)
- Ministering to others. (Acts 2:8,11; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, 30; 14:6,13)
When a believer speaks in tongues, he speaks directly to God and edifies himself. (1 Corinthians 14:2,4) This is the personal use of tongues (praying in the Spirit). When a believer ministers to others through the use of tongues, the believer speaks in a language the hearer can understand (Acts 2:8,11) or gives the interpretation of what was said in tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:10,30) Speaking in tongues plus the corresponding interpretation equals prophecy. (1 Corinthians 12:10; 14:5)
All believers have the ability to speak in tongues for personal use. (Mark 16:17) All believers are not used by the Holy Spirit to minister to others through the use of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:11,30) The ability to minister to others through the use of tongues is manifested at the discretion of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:7,11)
The will of God is His plan for an individual’s life. God desires that men know His will and obey it. (Colossians 1:9; Ephesians 5:17; 6:6) God promises to direct the path of those who acknowledge Him in all their ways. (Proverbs 3:5,6)
Rules for discovering God’s will for a believer’s life include
- Surrender of the will. (Luke 22:42)
- Giving the word of God top priority in one’s life. (Jeremiah 10:23)
- Seeking the mind of the Lord. (Psalm 143:8)
The will of God for all believers is
- Be thankful. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
- Do good. (1 Peter 2:15)
- Be patient in suffering. (1 Peter 4:19; Romans 12:12)
- Abstain from fornication. (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
- Walk in the good works for which they were created. (Ephesians 2:10)
God’s will for the unregenerate5 is that they be saved. (Ephesians 1:5; 2 Peter 3:19)
In the King James Version of the Bible, there are three Greek words translated world. These words are aion, oikumene and cosmos. Aion means an age. (Matthew 13:39,40,49; 24:3; 28:30; Hebrews 9:26) Oikumene means the inhabited earth. (Matthew 24:14; Luke 2:1; Acts 11:28; Revelation 3:10; 16:14) Cosmos means the created earth. (John 1:10; Acts 17:24; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Peter 3:7,10) Cosmos can also mean the evil world system. (Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 2:15-17) The evil world system is overcome by the believer’s faith. (1 John 5:4,5)
| 
