Glossary of Key Terms
Autonomy (of local churches): The concept that each local congregation is self-governing and independent, not subject to a higher earthly authority or hierarchy.
Bedrock Truth: The fundamental and unshakeable truth, specifically referring to the deity of Jesus Christ as the foundation of the church (Matthew 16:16).
Binding and Loosing: The authority given to the apostles (not just Peter) to declare what is permissible or forbidden based on divine revelation, essentially "legislating the terms" for entering the kingdom.
Chief Cornerstone: Jesus Christ, identified as the essential, weight-bearing, and foundational stone of the church (Ephesians 2).
Denominationalism: The system or doctrine of organizing into distinct religious denominations or sects, often implying human-made divisions within Christianity.
Disfallible Man: A human being who is capable of making mistakes or errors, in contrast to an infallible being.
Exalted Mountain (Isaiah): A prophetic image used in Isaiah to describe the church as a prominent and universally accessible spiritual entity to which "all nations would flow."
Gates of Hades: A metaphorical expression referring to the forces of death or hell, which Jesus declared would not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18).
Graven Image: A carved idol or representation of a deity or sacred person, forbidden for worship in scripture.
Hierarchy: A system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.
Inspired Revelation: Divine truth communicated directly by God through the Holy Spirit to human authors, ensuring its infallibility and authority.
Keys of the Kingdom: Symbolic authority given to the apostles (primarily Peter and the others) to "open the doors" of the kingdom by preaching the gospel and revealing its terms.
Lording it over the flock: Exercising dominion or oppressive authority over others, specifically warned against for church leaders (1 Peter 5:3).
Mediatrix: A female mediator; a term used in Catholicism for Mary, implying she serves as an intercessor between God and humanity.
One True Church: The belief that there is only one legitimate church established by God, which the source material identifies as the spiritual institution Jesus built, not a specific denomination.
Oracles of God: Divine pronouncements or revelations; used to emphasize speaking according to God's revealed word (1 Peter 4:11).
Papa/Pope: The title for the Bishop of Rome, considered the head of the Roman Catholic Church. The source argues this office is not found in the New Testament.
Petros (Greek): The masculine Greek word for "Peter," meaning a small stone or pebble.
Petra (Greek): The feminine Greek word for "rock," meaning a large, massive stone or bedrock.
Priesthood of Believers: The biblical doctrine that all Christians, not just a select few, have direct access to God and can offer spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5).
Remission of Sins: The forgiveness and cleansing from sin, achieved through obedience to the gospel.
Spiritual House: A metaphor for the church, composed of "living stones" (believers), serving as a spiritual dwelling for God (1 Peter 2:5).
Traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:15 context): "Things handed down" by inspired apostles, either orally or in writing, which constitute authoritative divine revelation, as opposed to uninspired human traditions.
Vicar of Christ: A title used for the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church, meaning "representative of Christ" or "substitute for Christ" on Earth.
