Ransom: the price paid to obtain redemption. In the Christian sense, Christ gave his life a ransom for many [Mark 10:45].
Rebellion: rejection of authority; in the biblical sense, rejection of the authority of God; includes the sin of unbelief.
Reconciliation [reconcile]: the act of bringing together two previously antagonistic parties. In the Christian sense, the bringing together of man and God through the death of Christ [Romans 5:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Colossians 1:19-22].
Redemption [redeem, Redeemer]: freedom at a price. The liberation of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. The liberation of any human from slavery/bondage to sin, condemnation, judgment and death, by the sin-bearing death of Christ. The One who liberates us from bondage.
Regeneration: Restoration of life to that which was dead. Biblically, the restoration of spiritual life to people who were ‘dead in trespasses and sins’ [Ephesians 2:1-5] by union with Jesus Christ. Being ‘born again’. True of every person with biblical faith in Christ.
Repent, repentance: [metanoeo – I change my mind]. A massive paradigm shift in which a person changes their mind about who ‘god’ is and acknowledges Jesus Christ as God. Repentance also includes a mind-change about sin – a reversal of the Genesis 3 rebellion.
Resurrection: Christ rose to life on the third day after his crucifixion [Matt 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20,21]. Those who believe in Christ are identified with him in his resurrection to life [Rom 6:10-14; Eph 2:5; Col 3:1-3]. Resurrection is an essential part of the gospel [Rom 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15].
Revelation: God’s action in making himself known. Biblically this occurs at three levels: [1] in creation; [2] in the written word of God, the Bible, and [3] in a final way in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Reverence: The attitude of overpowering awe, wonder and worship in the presence of the mighty and holy God.
Righteous: Legally not guilty.
Righteousness: The declaration of legal acquittal. Gospel righteousness is God’s not guilty declaration given to those who receive Jesus Christ. This is made possible by Christ’s perfect life and substitutionary, sin-bearing death. [Romans 1:16; Philippians 3:1-9]. Same word as ‘justification’.