Words to Know

A glossary of words and terms used within the First Baptist Worship

anthem–A piece of music sung by the choir during a service of worship.
autonomous–Historically, local Baptist churches have been free (or autonomous) in their church structure and church life. A particular congregation is responsible for understanding its purpose and mission without the intervention of federal or state governments or the coercive influence of any denominational structure.
call–The Latin word vocare means “to call.” From it, we get the word “vocation.” Baptists believe that each Christian has been given a unique spiritual gift and has a unique vocation to live out in life. A person living for God will find meaning and purpose in life by using his or her spiritual gifts.
calvary– The name for the place where Christ was crucified. 2. Literally means “skull.”
catholic–A word that means “universal” and refers to the fellowship shared by all Christians everywhere.
chancel–The elevated area in the front of the sanctuary, where worship is directed.
choir–A group of singers who perform music in church and assist the congregation in singing hymns during worship.
church–1. A building that is set apart for worship. 2. All people who are baptized and follow and serve Jesus by putting their spiritual gifts to work.
clergy–All people who have been ordained.
communion–The act of sharing the bread and the cup among God's people in remembrance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
community–Literally means “with unity.” Therefore it is a word used to describe local congregations.
confession–The act of acknowledging sin before God or others.
congregation–The group of people who gather together for worship.
congregational–Churches whose form of government empowers all the members of the local church. Congregationalism is based on the doctrine that, through Christ, every believer is a priest before God, with no human mediator between.
covenant–An agreement or promise made between God and the people of God. In the Old Testament, God established a covenant with Abraham promising to make his descendants the people of God. In the New Testament, God established a new covenant promising to redeem all people through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
crucify–The form of capital punishment used by the Roman government at the time of Christ. A person being crucified was literally nailed (wrists and ankles) to an olive tree or other wooden structure outside the city walls of Jerusalem. Jesus was crucified but had done no wrong. This man has done nothing wrong. —Luke 23:41
disciple–1. One who learns. 2. A person who follows Jesus.
dormer–A window set vertically in a structure projecting through a sloping roof. Our stained-glass window at the front of the sanctuary is a dormer.
epistle–A letter. The Epistles of the New Testament are letters written by the apostles for the purpose of instructing Christians in the faith.
evangelism–The act of sharing or telling the good news of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection with others. Comes from the Greek word meaning “to announce good news.”
exegesis–From the Greek “to lead out.” Used to describe the process of interpreting a passage of scripture.
forgiving–To relinquish freely a debt or obligation owed to you by someone else (see “sin”). Forgiveness allows you to become unattached to the thoughtless actions of others in order to love more fully.
gospel–Literally, “good news.” The New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are called Gospels because they proclaim the good news of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
grace–The unmerited love and acceptance God gives freely to enable people to live like Jesus.
hymn–A religious piece of music addressed to God sung by the congregation as a part of worship.
incarnation–Literally, “to put skin on.” The Christian doctrine that expresses the belief that God became a human being in Jesus Christ. Today, whenever a Christian expresses God's love to others (puts skin on God's love), there is an incarnation of God.
interdependent–Historically, Baptist churches have chosen to relate to each other by organizing into associations. First Baptist is associated with the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts. Acting together in order to provide a more effective mission outreach, these churches have become interdependent.
lay person–A nonordained individual who shares in the work and ministry of the church.
minister–Any person who takes part in the work of the church; comes from the Latin word that means “servant.”
narthex–The porch or vestibule in an early Christian church. It was the place where people waited before services and continues to be used in that way.
nave–The area of the sanctuary where the congregation sits. Derived from the Latin navis, meaning “ship.” If one turns the sanctuary upside down, the roof looks like the hull of a ship.
offerings–Anything we give to God—our talent, time, or resources.
ordinance–Historically, the term used by Baptists for the sacraments (baptism and the Lord's Supper). Literally means a decree or law.
ordained–Ordination is the act of setting apart those who have been recognized by a local congregation as having particular skill to perform a specific ministry. In Baptist tradition, only local congregations may perform this ceremony of ordination.
pastor–The New Testament describes a pastor as a shepherd and a teacher. American Baptists ordain those who have a seminary education and are called to a specific ministry by a local congregation. Ordained persons are considered pastors.
penance–The act of expressing one's sorrow for their sin.
prophecy–In the Bible, prophets challenged God's people to stay close to God and admonished them when they rejected God.
protestant–1. The branch of the Christian church that began in Germany in the 1500s as a protest against the abuses within the Roman Catholic Church at that time. 2. All Christian churches that are not Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox.
reconciling–The Apostle Paul says that Christians have been given the ministry of reconciliation. That word simply means the reuniting of that which has been separated.
resurrection–The act of being raised from the dead to live with God forever. After being crucified on a Friday, Jesus was resurrected on Sunday morning.
sacrament–An outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace. A sacrament is a sacred action that allows us to experience Christ's love more fully (see “communion” and “baptism”).
sanctuary–Meaning “a holy place,” the room where God's people offer their worship to God.
scripture–The sacred writings of the church as they have been collected in the Bible.
sermon–An address or commentary on the scripture given by a pastor for the purpose of teaching and inspiring the congregation.
sin–Literally, “to miss the mark.” A thought, word, action, or inaction by which people separate themselves from others or from God.
tithes–Literally, “a tenth.” As Christians, we are to give a portion of our income to God. Scripture teaches that we are to give the “first fruits,” the best of what we have.
trinity–A historic Christian doctrine that teaches God as one being who exists in three forms: God the creator; God the redeemer (Jesus); and God the sustainer (Holy Spirit). worship–Literally, “to give worth”; the act of showing reverence toward God.

Based on work by Brad Berglund for Calvary Baptist Church of Denver, Colorado.