Using Biblical Words

During his sermon last week at the T4G conference, Thabiti Anyabwile observed that words act as containers for the truth. He warned that if we lose the words of Christianity, we lose the ability to properly convey the truth. For example, here is a word from the Christian vocabulary: lost. In many churches, this is an unpopular word that is often omitted from public use or it is assigned a less offensive working definition, although the new "meaning" is scripturally unsound. But if this word, and dozens of others like it, are intentionally sidelined or unscrupulously redefined, how can the gospel be explained with clarity, accuracy, and love? In short, it can't. That is why pastors and laymen alike need to use biblical words to explain biblical things. That, though, is only half of the challenge. We need to be able to offer an explanation of those words that we actually use. And our explanation needs to be not only right but also understood. Over the next several days, look at the list of words below. Do you know what they mean? Could you explain them to someone asking serious questions about your faith in Christ? And could you communicate their meanings in a way that someone could actually comprehend? Don't wait until you are caught off-guard. Prepare now to give an answer.

Lost
Saved
Born Again
Repentance
Propitiation
Baptism
Jesus
Grace
Faith
Resurrection
Kingdom
Sin
Believe