Glossary of Religious Words and Terms
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- Baptism
- A rite of initiation used by the Christian church. The person being baptised (usually a baby or child) has water sprinkled over the head by the priest, three times, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." It brings the person into the family of the church. In churches such as the Baptist Church, baptism is for believers and is by immersion into water once (i.e. completely dipped into the water), in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- Baptistry
- A pool used for baptism, especially by immersion. In many Baptist and Evangelical churches, it is beneath the floor or platform at the front of the church.
- Bar Mitzvah
- The initiation ceremony or rite which occurs when a Jewish boy takes on adult responsibilities in Judaism. This takes place when he reaches the age of 13 years.
- Bat Mitzvah
- This is a similar (but not the same) rite for Jewish girls when they reach the age of 12 years.
- Benediction
- A blessing said, usually at the end of a church service of worship.
- Beth ha Knesset
- The Hebrew term for a synagogue. It means "House of Assembly" literally.
- Bishop
- A bishop is the highest of the three official orders in the church - deacons, priests and bishops. A bishop oversees (from Greek word episkopos) the parishes and priests in his diocese. A suffragan bishop assists a diocesan bishop.
These pages will be added to in the future. If there is a religious term or word you do not understand, why not e-mail us? It can then be added to the glossary.