Glossary of Terms
B.D.
Bachelor of Divinity. The degree presupposes a first bachelor's degree and was designed to prepare persons for ministry in the church and synagogue. It has been supplanted by the M.Div. […]
Baby Bishop
An informal term that refers to a newly ordained bishop. It reflects the assumption that a period of time will be required for the newly ordained bishop to gain experience […]
Bach, Johann Sebastian
(Mar. 21, 1685-July 28, 1750). Dominant figure in the history of church music whose output embraces practically every musical genre of his time except opera. His reputation during his lifetime […]
Baldachino (Baldaquin)
A canopy used to cover an altar. It may be made of wood, stone, metal, or fabric. The term is also applied to the canopy over a bishop's throne, a […]
Baldwin, Mary Briscoe
(May 20, 1811-June 1877). Missionary to Greece and Syria. She was born at Belle Grove, Frederick County, Virginia. When she was twenty-four, Baldwin went to Athens, Greece, to teach at […]
Baltimore Declaration
A manifesto issued on May 26, 1991, the Feast of the Holy Trinity, by six Episcopal priests in the Diocese of Maryland. It was patterned after the 1934 Barmen Declaration […]
Banner of the Church
This journal first appeared on Sept. 3, 1831. It was published in Boston, and it represented high church views. Its motto was “In the Name of Our God We will […]
Banner of the Cross, The
This weekly publication continued the Protestant Episcopalian and had the Latin motto, Pro Deo, Pro Ecclesia, Pro Hominum Salute, and the English slogan, “Gospel Truth, and Primitive Ecclesiastical Order.” It […]
Banns of Marriage
Public announcement during a church service of an intended marriage. The Banns are “published” on three occasions to determine if any matrimonial impediments exist. The practice is optional in the […]
Baptism
This is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the church. God establishes an indissoluble bond with each person in baptism. God adopts us, making us […]
Baptism in (of) the Spirit
John the Baptist baptized in water but announced also the coming of a “Strong One” who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mk 1:7-8). John focused primarily on the need […]
Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry (BEM)
This is Faith and Order Paper No. 111, published by the World Council of Churches in 1982. It is sometimes referred to as the “Lima Report,” since the 1982 meeting […]
Baptismal Covenant
The rite of Christian initiation contains a series of vows, made by all present, called the “baptismal covenant” (BCP, pp. 304-305). After the candidates have renounced evil and committed themselves […]
Baptismal Creed, The
The Apostles' Creed, which is stated by the people in the baptismal covenant (BCP, p. 304). The affirmations of the Apostles' Creed are made by the people in response to […]
Baptismal Feasts
Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, the Day of Pentecost, All Saints' Day or the Sunday after All Saints' Day, and the Feast of the Baptism of our […]
Baptismal Regeneration
The doctrine that at baptism the candidates are not only initiated into the Christian community but are also “born again.” That is, the Holy Spirit pours upon them the gift […]
Baptismal Vows, The Renewal of
See Renewal of Baptismal Vows.
Baptistry, or Baptistery
The liturgical space where the font is located for the celebration of baptism. The baptistry may be a portion of the church set aside for baptisms, a side chapel, or […]
Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York
The Rt. Rev. Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright, Provisional Bishop of New York, and the Rev. John McVickar, superintendent of the Society for Promoting Religion and Learning, both urged the diocese to […]
Barnabas the Apostle, Saint
( He was a Levite from Cyprus, and one of the leading members of the early church at Jerusalem. Originally named Joseph, the apostles gave him the Aramaic surname Barnabas, […]
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.