--- title: "Reformed glossary" description: "Plain-language definitions of 24 Reformed terms, including covenant, justification, grace, session, sacraments, and Psalmody, with links to the church’s standards." canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf" --- EXPLORE THE REFORMED FAITH # Reformed glossary Clear definitions for words you may meet in sermons, catechisms, and the church’s confession. Follow each source link to study the teaching in context. [Study by topic](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/) · [Common questions](https://ctkrp.org/learn/rpcna-questions/) · [Reformed glossary](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/) On this page - [A](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-a) - [B](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-b) - [C](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-c) - [D](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-d) - [E](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-e) - [F](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-f) - [G](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-g) - [J](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-j) - [L](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-l) - [M](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-m) - [P](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-p) - [R](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-r) - [S](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-s) - [T](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#letter-t)[← Resource library](https://ctkrp.org/resources/) ## A ### Adoption God’s gracious act of receiving believers as His children, giving them the privileges of His family. Read more: [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 34](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-34-what-is-adoption/). ### Assurance A believer’s confidence of belonging to Christ, grounded in God’s promises and the Spirit’s work rather than personal merit. Read more: [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 18](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-18-assurance-of-grace-and-salvation/). ## B ### Baptism The sacrament with water that signs and seals the covenant of grace and marks reception into the visible church. Read more: [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 94](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-94-what-is-baptism/). ## C ### Catechism An ordered set of questions and answers used to teach the Christian faith. The Shorter and Larger Catechisms are among the RPCNA’s standards. Read more: [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 1](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-1-what-is-the-chief-end-of-man/). ### Confession of faith A church’s public statement of what it understands Scripture to teach. A confession is subject to the Bible’s authority. Read more: [Reformed Presbyterian Testimony · Chapter 31](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-31-synods-and-councils/). ### Covenant of grace God’s provision of life and salvation in Jesus Christ for sinners, received through faith in Him. Read more: [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 7](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/). ## D ### Deacon A church officer serving in ministries of mercy and stewardship under the oversight of the session. Read more: [Reformed Presbyterian Testimony · Chapter 25](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-25-church/). ## E ### Elder An officer charged with teaching and governing the church under Christ. The elders of a congregation form its session. Read more: [Reformed Presbyterian Testimony · Chapter 25](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-25-church/). ## F ### Faith Receiving and resting on Jesus Christ for salvation as He is offered in the gospel. Saving faith trusts a Savior, not merely a set of facts. Read more: [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 86](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-86-what-is-faith-in-jesus-christ/). ## G ### Grace God’s undeserved favor. Salvation is His free gift in Christ, not a reward earned by our works. Read more: [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 11](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-11-justification/). ## J ### Justification God’s act of pardoning sins and accepting a sinner as righteous because of Christ’s righteousness, received by faith alone. Read more: [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 33](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-33-what-is-justification/). ## L ### Lord’s Day The first day of the week, kept as the Christian Sabbath in remembrance of Christ’s resurrection, for worship and holy rest. Read more: [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/). ## M ### Means of grace The ordinary ways Christ communicates the benefits of redemption, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer. Read more: [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 88](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-88-what-are-the-outward-and-ordinary-means-whereby-christ/). ### Mediator One who brings reconciliation. Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, is the only Mediator between God and sinners. Read more: [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 8](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/). ## P ### Presbytery A court of the church connecting congregations in a wider body of elders for government and oversight. Read more: [Directory for Church Government · Chapter 6](https://ctkrp.org/church-government/chapter-6-the-presbytery/). ### Providence God’s holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing of His creatures and all their actions. Read more: [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 11](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-11-what-are-gods-works-of-providence/). ### Psalmody The singing of Psalms. Exclusive psalmody is the conviction that the biblical Psalms are the songs appointed for the church’s worship. Read more: [Reformed Presbyterian Testimony · Chapter 21](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/). ## R ### Regulative principle of worship The conviction that God determines how He is to be worshiped through His revealed will, rather than leaving the elements of worship to human invention. Read more: [Reformed Presbyterian Testimony · Chapter 21](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/). ### Repentance A turning from sin to God, with grief for sin, an understanding of His mercy in Christ, and a purpose to walk in new obedience. Read more: [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 87](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-87-what-is-repentance-unto-life/). ## S ### Sacrament A holy ordinance instituted by Christ, using outward signs to represent, seal, and apply to believers the benefits of the covenant of grace. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the New Testament sacraments. Read more: [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 92](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-92-what-is-a-sacrament/). ### Sanctification God’s gracious work of renewing us in His image and enabling us increasingly to die to sin and live to righteousness. Read more: [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 35](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-35-what-is-sanctification/). ### Session The body of elders responsible for the spiritual oversight and government of a local congregation. Read more: [Reformed Presbyterian Testimony · Chapter 25](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-25-church/). ### Synod The broader governing court of the RPCNA, through which the church exercises shared oversight beyond individual presbyteries. Read more: [Reformed Presbyterian Testimony · Chapter 25](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-25-church/). ## T ### Testimony The RPCNA’s confessional document that accompanies the Westminster Confession, applying biblical doctrine and stating the church’s positions on further questions. Read more: [Reformed Presbyterian Testimony · Chapter 31](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-31-synods-and-councils/). [↑ Back to contents](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/#contents) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/