Church sayings, in plain words
Christians use a lot of sayings that are not meant literally. If you take them at their word, they can sound strange or even alarming. Here is what people mean when they say them.
Key points
- What this is: 31 sayings, each with what it means, literally, and where it comes from.
- Why: Most sayings are pictures. Nobody is literally born twice, washed in blood or walking anywhere.
- You are not the first: When Jesus said “born again”, the man listening took it literally too. Jesus explained it (John 3:4–5).
About becoming a Christian
Sayings about faith, sin and forgiveness.
- “Born again”
- MeansStarting a new life with God, as a gift from God. It is not a second birth of the body.
- FromJesus said it to a teacher called Nicodemus (John 3:3–7). Nicodemus took it literally too. He asked how a grown man could be born again, and Jesus explained.
- Said most in evangelical churches. Lutherans connect the new start with baptism.
- “Saved”
- MeansRescued by God from sin and death, so that nothing can separate you from God. It does not mean rescued from one danger today.
- FromAll through the New Testament, for example Ephesians 2:8.
- “Are you saved?” is a personal question. You can say, “I’m still learning.”
- “Accept Jesus into your heart”
- MeansDecide to trust Jesus. The heart here means your inner self, not the organ.
- FromA modern phrase, not a Bible verse. It grew out of Revelation 3:20, where Jesus knocks at a door.
- Rare in Lutheran churches. Lutherans say faith is something God gives, more than a decision a person makes.
- “Washed in the blood”
- MeansForgiven because Jesus died. Nobody is washed in real blood.
- FromIn the old temple, animal sacrifices went with forgiveness. Christians say Jesus’ death did that once, for everyone. The picture comes from Revelation 7:14.
- Mostly in old hymns.
- “Sin”
- MeansAnything that breaks trust with God or with other people. It also means the pull in every person away from God. It is not only crimes.
- FromAll through the Bible.
- “Repent”
- MeansTurn around. Stop going one way, and go back toward God. It is more than feeling sorry.
- FromOne of the first things Jesus preached (Mark 1:15).
- “Grace”
- MeansA gift you did not earn and cannot pay back. Christians use it for God’s love and forgiveness.
- FromEphesians 2:8: “by grace you have been saved through faith.”
- “Saying grace” means a short prayer before a meal.
- “Share your testimony”
- MeansTell the story of how you came to believe.
- FromFrom courts: a witness says what they saw (Acts 1:8).
- You never have to share one.
- “Carry your cross”
- MeansAccept the hard things that come from following Jesus. No one carries wood.
- FromJesus said it before his own crucifixion (Mark 8:34).
About God and Jesus
Names and titles that are not what they sound like.
- “Christ”
- MeansA title, not a last name. It means “the anointed one”: the king God promised. “Messiah” means the same.
- FromGreek for the Hebrew word Messiah (John 1:41).
- “The Lord”
- MeansA title for God, or for Jesus. It means the one in charge.
- FromIn many Bibles, LORD in capitals stands for God’s own name in Hebrew.
- “Lamb of God”
- MeansA name for Jesus. It says he gave his life for others.
- FromLambs were offered in the temple and eaten at Passover. John the Baptist called Jesus “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29).
- Sung during communion in most Lutheran churches.
- “The Word”
- MeansTwo meanings. It can mean the Bible, or God’s message. Or it can mean Jesus himself.
- FromJohn 1:1 calls Jesus “the Word.”
- “The body of Christ”
- MeansTwo meanings. It can mean the church: all Christians together. Or it can mean the bread at communion.
- From1 Corinthians 12:27 for the church. Jesus’ words at the Last Supper for the bread (Luke 22:19).
- Lutherans believe Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine.
- “The Spirit moved me”
- MeansThe person believes God’s Holy Spirit prompted them to do or say something. It is not about wind or a ghost.
- FromJesus calls the Spirit a helper (John 14:26). In older English the Spirit was called the Holy Ghost.
- “God told me / God laid it on my heart”
- MeansUsually: the person had a strong thought, and they believe it came from God. Most people do not mean they heard a voice.
- FromChristians believe God guides people. How that feels differs a lot from person to person.
- It is fine to ask, “Do you mean you heard it, or that you had a strong sense?”
In church on Sunday
Things said out loud during the service, and what to say back.
- “Peace be with you”
- MeansA greeting in the service. It wishes the other person God’s peace.
- FromThe risen Jesus greeted his friends this way (John 20:19).
- You can say “And also with you,” or “Peace be with you.” A nod or a wave is a whole answer.
- “The word of the Lord”
- MeansSaid after a Bible reading. It means, “This is God’s message.”
- FromThe order of service.
- People answer, “Thanks be to God.”
- “The gospel of the Lord”
- MeansSaid after the reading from one of the four Gospels.
- FromThe order of service.
- People answer, “Praise to you, O Christ.”
- “The Lord be with you”
- MeansA greeting from the pastor before a prayer.
- FromRuth 2:4, and the oldest Christian services.
- People answer, “And also with you.”
- “Amen”
- Means“Yes, this is true,” or “let it be so.” It ends a prayer.
- FromA Hebrew word, kept in every language.
- “Alleluia / Hallelujah”
- Means“Praise the Lord,” in Hebrew.
- FromThe Psalms (Psalm 150).
- Lutheran churches stop saying it during Lent, then say it again at Easter.
- “Fellowship”
- MeansSpending time with other Christians, often with food.
- FromActs 2:42.
- “Fellowship hour” means coffee and snacks after the service. It is optional.
In everyday talk
What Christians say in conversation, at work, or at a funeral.
- “I’ll pray for you”
- MeansThey will mention you to God in their prayers. It is usually meant kindly, and it asks nothing of you.
- FromChristians pray for each other (James 5:16).
- “Thank you” is a complete answer.
- “I’m blessed / Be blessed”
- Means“I’m grateful for good things,” or “I hope good things come to you.”
- FromIn the Bible, blessed means God is kind to someone (Matthew 5:3–10).
- “My walk with God”
- MeansHow a person’s life with God is going, day by day. No walking is involved.
- FromGenesis 5:24: “Enoch walked with God.”
- “Brother / Sister”
- MeansAnother Christian. They are not family by birth.
- FromJesus called those who follow God his brothers and sisters (Mark 3:35).
- “Lost”
- MeansNot following God, or far from God. It is not about directions.
- FromJesus’ stories of the lost sheep and the lost son (Luke 15).
- “Fishers of people”
- MeansPeople who invite others to follow Jesus. There is no fishing.
- FromJesus said it to fishermen (Mark 1:17).
- “Turn the other cheek”
- MeansDon’t hit back, and don’t take revenge. It does not mean you have to stay where you are being hurt.
- FromJesus, in Matthew 5:39.
- If someone uses it to keep you in a harmful situation, that is not what Jesus meant.
- “They went home to be with the Lord”
- MeansThe person has died. Christians say it because they believe the person is with God.
- FromPhilippians 1:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:8.
- Common at funerals and in obituaries. Other ways to say it: “passed away,” “fell asleep in Christ.”
Heard one that isn’t here? Single church words, like liturgy or sacrament, are in the glossary. For what people do and say on a Sunday, see the unwritten rules of church, written down.