Glossary

The restored pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), the personal covenant name of the Most High Creator. This name appears nearly 7,000 times in the original Hebrew scriptures.

The original Hebrew name of the Messiah, meaning 'Yahuah is Salvation.' The name contains the Father's name, fulfilling His words: 'I have come in My Father's name' (John 5:43).

Hebrew for 'set apart' or 'holy.' Describes something or someone separated from the common for Yahuah's purposes.

A Hebrew title meaning 'Mighty One(s).' Used as a title for Yahuah throughout Scripture. It is a title, not a personal name.

A post-biblical doctrine formalized in the 4th century CE asserting that God exists as three co-equal, co-eternal persons in one substance. This term does not appear in Scripture and was developed through Greek philosophical categories.

A Greek philosophical term meaning 'of one substance' or 'of the same essence.' Adopted at the Council of Nicaea (325 CE) to describe the relationship between Father and Son. This term is not found in Scripture and was controversial even among bishops at the time of its adoption.

A Greek term that caused significant confusion in the 4th century. At the beginning of the Arian controversy, hypostasis and ousia were used as virtual synonyms. Only later were they given distinct meanings by the Cappadocian theologians to mean 'distinct existence' or 'person.'

A Greek philosophical term meaning 'essence,' 'substance,' or 'nature.' Used interchangeably with hypostasis for much of the 4th century, creating widespread theological confusion. Eventually assigned the meaning of 'substance' or 'nature' in Trinitarian vocabulary.

The first ecumenical council, convened by Emperor Constantine in 325 CE. It produced the Nicene Creed using the non-biblical term homoousios. Constantine, who was not baptized and may not have been a Christian catechumen, summoned and paid for the council.

Roman Emperor (306-337 CE) who convened the Council of Nicaea. He was not baptized until his deathbed. He summoned the council, paid all its expenses, took part in it, and ensured it reached the conclusions he thought best.

Roman Emperor (379-395 CE) who in 380 CE issued the edict Cunctos Populos, declaring the pro-Nicene doctrine of the Trinity to be the official doctrine of the Roman Empire. Heretics would be punished. He oversaw the Council of Constantinople in 381 CE.