Total Depravity
Total Depravity Mankind is totally depraved (morally corrupt; wicked) in God’s sight (Titus 3:5). Man is, by his human nature, inherently a sinner, lost, without hope, except by faith in the cross-work of Christ.
Category: Terms and Definitions
Theophany
Theophany Refers to appearances of Christ in the Old Testament prior to the incarnation (before Christ came to Earth in human form).
Tetragrammaton
Tetragrammaton Means “four letters” referring to YHWH, translated Jehovah or Yahweh. Used in the Old Testament to refer to Lord God as one, or as the Trinity. The Jews considered this name too sacred to utter so they used Adonai, which is singular form of The Lord God.
Taboo
Taboo Taboos are a prohibition imposed by religion—a system of legalism and self-righteousness. It is an invasion of privacy. Taboos are not to be the criteria for assessing sin or establishing righteousness. Taboos are a form of bullying, which is a result of power-lust arrogance. Legalism is human-viewpoint religion. Taboos are counterfeit to Occupation with Christ.
Substitutionary Death
Substitutionary Death Christ, the prophesied Messiah, became our substitute, dying in our place, for the judgment of our sins. Only someone not under condemnation can take place of the condemned. His substitution satisfied the Father (Leviticus 16:8, Isaiah 53:5-11, Mark 10:45, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13, 1 Timothy 2:6).
Spiritual Maturity
Spiritual Maturity Spiritual maturity means spiritual adulthood—the mature believer has successfully integrated and is constantly executing the plan of God for his life. The mature believer logs a maximum amount of time in fellowship—filled with the Spirit. Spirituality: The absolute status of fellowship with God through the turning-away from a state of perpetual sin, via use of 1 John 1:9,…
Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual Gifts The Holy Spirit sovereignly gives gifts to every believer at salvation. These gifts are charis in the Greek which means “Grace” (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).
Spiritual Death
Spiritual Death Spiritual death is the penalty of sin, which is separation from God for time and eternity. God warned Adam not to eat of the tree (Genesis 2:17) and told him, “dying (spiritually) you will die (physically).” The only solution to spiritual death is spiritual rebirth (John 3:3,7). Adam’s sin is imparted to each of us at birth, hence…
Sovereignty
Sovereignty Sovereignty is God’s supreme authority over creation, and is one of God’s divine attributes.
Soul-Life
Soul-Life Soul-life is the linking or marriage of consciousness (the immaterial) and the physical (material). Consciousness is the living proof of a Supreme Entity. Consciousness proves God’s existence. We think, therefore God is. At physical death, by divine design, the soul exits the body. Our soul is embodied for endearment of life in this reality. Apparently, our soul is so…
Soteriology
Soteriology Soteriology is the theological teaching concept which describes the cross-work of Christ and the all-encompassing results of our so-great salvation. Reference The Doctrine of Salvation.
Slander
Slander Slander is making negative statements publicly about another person. Also includes the verbal sins of gossiping, maligning, judging anyone other than self. Judge yourself first and foremost, leaving the judgment of others to God, for that is His realm and His business. No matter what the other person(s) has said or done, that is strictly an issue between them…
Sin Unto Death
Sin Unto Death The “Sin Unto Death” is maximum punishment from God when He removes the believer from earth by physical death. It actually entails a maximum amount of time in reversionism (“backsliding”), out of fellowship, in perpetual sin, and useless to God. God calls the believer home so that sin doesn’t keep piling up. Removal from earth is a…
Sin Nature
Sin Nature The human nature to sin is inherited from Adam, and resides in the cell-structure of the body (hence, the reason for the virgin birth). The Bible refers to the sin nature as the “old man.” Reference our study on Human Nature.
Sin
Sin Sin is a violation of God’s standards. Sin is mental (in the thinking) first, then overt by the tongue or physical action, and is a manifestation of sin in the flesh – inherent in our sin nature. In theological terms it is the doctrine of “Hamartiology” (Reference Romans 3:23; Isaiah 53:6).
Shekinah Glory
Shekinah Glory Christ is the Shekinah Glory of Israel. He lived in the Holy of Holies (Exodus 25:21-22; Leviticus 26:11-12; Psalm 91:1; Hebrews 9:5). His presence was visible by a cloud during the day and by a pillar of fire at night so that the Jews would know when He was in the Tabernacle. The Shekinah Glory is the visible…
Sacraments
Sacraments Sacraments are symbols of God’s grace, such as communion and baptism (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Baptism is a visual and physical proclamation of faith in Christ, and not a requirement for salvation (the thief on the cross who believed did not come down and get baptized, then tithe ten percent to the local church, then “repent from sin,” then “work…
Resurrection Body
Resurrection Body Resurrection, for the believer, means the believer’s body is raised from the dead, up out of the grave or death place, brought back to life, and is given a supernatural body, incorruptible, one that never dies. The unbeliever is resurrected in a body of corruption at the Last Judgment (Reference our study of the Great White Throne Judgment)…
Revelation – The Letter From Jesus
Revelation – The Letter From Jesus From the Greek apokalupsis, meaning unveiling or disclosure from which we get revelation. Revelation may be defined as God making known to man that which is otherwise unknowable—the future. The Book of Revelation may be described as “A Letter from Jesus” or The Book of Consummation for the world as we know it. This…
Reproach
Reproach Scorn, rebuke, or shame (1 Timothy 3:7). On the cross, Christ bore the shame, disgrace, and humiliation of the cross, which was a reproach for our Lord. Believers will also suffer at the hand of scoffers. We must suffer rebuke for our faith. Christ first suffered for us so that we could be made the righteousness of God in…