The need for a small reference book, which gives explanations of Bible words, became apparent after some years of working in the East European mission field. It was frequently found that the same word could have two completely different meanings to different people, depending on their religious background, or lack of the same. For example, to those with Roman Catholic, Orthodox, or Lutheran Church connections, baptism means a ceremony, necessarily performed by a 'priest' and preferably at a font in a church, in which water is sprinkled on the head of a baby and the sign of the cross made on its forehead. There are of course other variants to this procedure. By this act the baby is enrolled as a member of the church.

The Bible knows nothing of this. Baptism is immersion in water undertaken by responsible adults who, when they understand the grace of God towards them in the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life in God's kingdom, demonstrate their faith by an act which represents their death and resurrection to a new life in Christ, and their confidence that they, as Christ their Master was, will be raised from the dead to a new life in his kingdom when he returns. This book draws attention to this and other similar areas of misunderstanding.

It was also realised that most religions have an overlay of tradition, a structure of authority and secular connections which rival, ignore, and at times contradict the message of Scripture. These need to be put aside before the gospel can be appreciated. The inspired Bible is the foundation of the Christian Church. When we bring to the Bible the skill of the translators and our own ability to think and reason, (not inspired, but God-given), the Word of God comes alive. There are uncertainties in the text and in the meaning of the text, as the footnotes to many versions attest. There are also alternative interpretations which seem equally valid, but if we take the Bible as a whole, these doubtful areas do not intrude sufficiently to obscure the clear message of the gospel.

Over the centuries the gospel message has been corrupted by the introduction of non-Scriptural ideas and philosophies, and feeble reactions to the doubts of the sceptics. This has led to religions in which the Bible has taken second place to human speculation. Bible words have been ignored or suppressed or have acquired artificial meanings.

The quotations from Scripture are taken, by kind permission of the Publishers, from the New International Version of the Bible (NIV), except where it is indicated that the King James Version (KJV) has been quoted from or referenced. The NIV - in a number of variants - has been used because it probably has the widest circulation and broadest appeal of all the modern versions at the present time. It uses many different words that are not found in the King James Version. In some places it has been necessary to explain differences in meaning which have arisen from these changes.

In preparing this book the writer has taken as his guide and inspiration the work of the 17th century scholar John Biddle, whose understanding of the Bible was second to none. He gave his life to defend his faith against Cromwell's government and the State church. To the intense irritation of his enemies, Biddle wrote and published A Scripture Catechism in which every question propounded was answered by reference to Scripture alone. At his trial he was told that he must answer his accusers in his own words. This he repeatedly refused to do, saying that he could not possibly improve upon the words of Scripture, and that they must be his only answer.
This book provides a selection of words which are frequently neglected or misunderstood, or whose meaning has changed over the centuries in relation to every day speech. These words are explained in the context of the Bible as a whole, and examples given of their use in Scripture. This is a reference book for those who would like to clear their minds of popular misconceptions and reach a better understanding of the Bible.

The idea for this book arose from discussions with Asael Truupold of Tartu, Estonia, a keen Bible student, who first proposed a vocabulary of Bible Words to help bridge the gap between the Estonian and English languages, and submitted the original list of entries. His ideas were then expanded, and word explanations added to each entry. At the time of publication, the Estonian translation of this book is in hand, and translations for use in other countries are under consideration.

The writer wishes to express his grateful thanks for the considerable help he has received in the preparation of this work. Robert Wilkinson, M.A. has checked and corrected the text and made valuable suggestions for additions and improvements; Printland staff, whose critical eyes have been similarly employed, have changed the original draft into a document fit to be offered for publication; and Phyllis Whitehouse has checked every word.