Backsliding: A term used to refer to an observable lessening of or departure from faith and/or obedience in a person assumed or professing to be a Christian.
Baptism [baptise, be baptized]: The ritual or sacrament in which a person is sprinkled with or immersed in water. See Baptismal regeneration, Believer’s Baptism, Infant Baptism.
Baptism of the Spirit: That action of the Holy Spirit in which he unites us to Jesus Christ, and from that point onwards dwells within us [1 Corinthians 12:13]. When and how this occurs, and its significance, is a point of controversy within the church.
Baptismal regeneration: Error alert: the concept that baptism is essential to bring a person to spiritual new birth. In some church traditions this baptismal regeneration is applied to both infant and adult baptism; in some, it is applied to believers’ baptism only.
Beelzebub [Beelzebul]: An alternate name of Satan. Meaning: The prince of demons.
Believe [belief]: Biblically, to believe in [know, acknowledge, commit oneself to, trust, depend on, hear and obey] Jesus Christ, in whom alone God is seen and known. The Bible also speaks of belief that is shallow and false, and not the belief to which it challenges and commands us.
Believer’s baptism: Baptism reserved for people who have acknowledged faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. A public declaration of acknowledgement of Christ. Symbolizes a person’s identification with Christ in his death and resurrection. [Romans 6; Colossians 2]
Blasphemy: to use God’s name in a way that dishonours him; also, to claim for oneself the name or the attributes of God.
Blood: Biblically the shedding of blood is necessary for the remission of sin. Rationale: death is the penalty for sin; in the Old Testament the death [blood] of a sacrificial animal substituted for the death [blood] of the sinner. This anticipated and symbolized the ultimate sacrificial death [blood] of Christ.
Body of Christ [1]: the human body of Jesus Christ.
Body of Christ [2]: refers to the people who belong to Jesus Christ, the church.
Books of Moses: the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Also known as the ‘Torah’ and ‘the books of the Law’.
Born again: To be given spiritual life by the Spirit of God, through reception/acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as the Son of God [John 3:3-7]. Also called regeneration, being born of God.