New Testament

From a Greek word meaning to dip or immerse. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (John 3: 5).

A small city located five miles south of Jerusalem. In Hebrew, Bethlehem means house of bread; it is also called Ephrath, meaning fruitful. Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2: 1-8).

A Roman form of execution, common during New Testament times, in which the person was put to death by tying or nailing his hands and feet to a cross. Jesus foretold his crucifixion, (Matt. 20: 18-19).

A record tracing the line of descent in a family. Where priesthood offices or certain blessings were restricted to a particular family, genealogies in the scriptures were very important (Matt. 1: 1-17; Luke 3: 23-38).

A family of rulers in Judea near the time of Jesus Christ. They were important figures in many New Testament events. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matt. 2:3)

The third member of the Godhead (1 Jn. 5: 7). The Holy Ghost is often referred to as the Spirit, or the Spirit of God.

Christ (a Greek word) and Messiah (a Hebrew word) mean the anointed. Jesus Christ is the Firstborn of the Father in the spirit (Heb. 1: 6). He is the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh (John 1: 14; 3: 16).

The son of Zacharias and Elisabeth in the New Testament. John was sent to prepare the people to receive the Messiah (John 1: 19-27). He held the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood and baptized Jesus Christ.

Husband of Mary, mother of Jesus. Joseph was a descendant of David (Matt. 1: 1-16; Luke 3: 23-38) and lived in Nazareth. Mary was Jesus only earthly parent because God the Father was Jesus' father. But the Jews thought of Joseph as Jesus' father.

A title of deep respect and honor for God the Father and the Savior Jesus Christ. The title refers to their positions as supreme, loving masters over their creations. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God (Matt. 22: 37; Mark 12: 30).

In the New Testament, a virgin chosen by God the Father to be the mother of His Son in the flesh. Mary gave birth to Jesus and laid him in a manger (Luke 2: 7).

A village among the hills west of the Sea of Galilee. Nazareth was the early home of Jesus (Matt. 2: 23). Jesus taught in the synagogue at Nazareth, and declared that he fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 61: 1-2 (Matt. 13: 54-58; Mark 6: 1-6; Luke 4: 16-30).

A simple story used to illustrate and teach a spiritual truth or principle. A parable is based on comparing an ordinary object or event to a truth, and the underlying meaning or message of a parable is often hidden to listeners who are not spiritually prepared to receive it (Matt. 13: 10-17). Jesus often taught with parables.

Literally the house of the Lord. The Lord has always commanded his people to build temples, holy buildings in which worthy Saints perform sacred ceremonies and ordinances of the gospel for themselves and for the dead. The Lord visits his temples, and they are the most holy of all places of worship. Jesus cleansed the temple, Matt. 21: 12-16 (Mark 11: 15-18; Luke 19: 45-48).