Core Glossary
Acts — Core Glossary (Phase 1, Step 1 / Step 2 input)
This glossary catalogs every load-bearing theological term identified in 07_semantic_analysis.md, spanning Acts 1–28. Terms already present in the baseline Romans translation_memory.json are marked Reused and MUST be rendered with the identical Odia form recorded there — no alternative is permitted. New terms specific to Acts are marked New and are proposed here for formal addition to translation memory before Phase 2 processing begins.
Risk tiers follow the baseline convention: Critical (human theologian, every occurrence) / High (human theologian) / Medium (native speaker review) / Low (automated review).
Section 1 — Terms Reused Exactly from the Romans Baseline
| Term | Original | Odia (exact, from TM) | Risk | Doctrine (Acts) | Key Acts passages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| God | θεός | ପରମେଶ୍ୱର | Critical | The Gospel to Jews and Gentiles; all chapters | throughout |
| Lord | κύριος | ପ୍ରଭୁ | Critical | Lordship of Christ; salvation confession | 2:21, 2:34-36, 10:36, 16:31 |
| Jesus | Ἰησοῦς | ଯୀଶୁ | Critical | Lordship of Christ | throughout |
| Holy Spirit | πνεῦμα ἅγιον | ପବିତ୍ର ଆତ୍ମା | Critical | Holy Spirit and Pentecost | 1:5,8; 2:4,17,38; 4:8,31; 8:15-19; 10:44-47; 19:2 |
| Father | πατήρ | ପିତା | Critical | Divine promise to the fathers | 1:4, 2:33, 26:6 |
| Messiah | Χριστός (titular use) | ମସୀହା | Critical | Messianic Promise | 2:36, 3:18, 17:3, 18:5, 18:28 |
| Resurrection | ἀνάστασις | ପୁନରୁତ୍ଥାନ | Critical | Resurrection of Christ | 1:22; 2:24-32; 4:2,33; 17:18,32; 23:6-8; 24:15,21; 26:23 |
| Salvation | σωτηρία | ପରିତ୍ରାଣ | Critical | Salvation | 2:21,40,47; 4:12; 16:31 |
| Righteousness | δικαιοσύνη | ଧାର୍ମିକତା | Critical | Justification apart from the Law | 13:39; 24:25 |
| Justification | δικαιόω | ଧାର୍ମିକ ବୋଲି ଗଣା ଯିବା | Critical | Justification apart from the Law | 13:39 |
| Grace | χάρις | କୃପା | High | Gospel to Jews and Gentiles; Paul’s calling | 4:33; 11:23; 14:26; 15:11,40; 18:27; 20:24,32 |
| Faith | πίστις | ବିଶ୍ୱାସ | High | Repentance and Baptism; Justification | 3:16; 6:5,7; 11:24; 13:8; 14:9,22,27; 16:5,31; 20:21; 26:18 |
| Apostle | ἀπόστολος | ପ୍ରେରିତ | Medium | Apostolic Authority | throughout |
| Called / calling | κλητός / κλῆσις | ଆହୂତ / ଆହ୍ୱାନ | High | Divine Calling | 2:39; 13:2; 16:10 |
| Holy | ἅγιος | ପବିତ୍ର | High | Sanctification | 3:14,21; 9:13,32,41; 21:28; 26:10 |
| Saints | ἅγιοι | ପବିତ୍ର ଲୋକ | High | Church as Community | 9:13,32,41; 26:10 |
| Sanctification | ἁγιασμός (implied) | ପବିତ୍ରୀକରଣ | High | Repentance and Baptism | 26:18 |
| Church | ἐκκλησία (of believers) | ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ | Medium | Church as Community | 2:47; 5:11; 8:1,3; 9:31; 11:26; 12:1,5; 13:1; 14:23,27; 15:3-4,22,41; 16:5; 20:17,28 |
| Kingdom of God | βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ | ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ରାଜ୍ୟ | Medium | Great Commission Fulfilled | 1:3,6; 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23,31 |
| Law | νόμος | ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା | High | Justification apart from the Law | 13:39; 15:5; 21:20-24; 25:8 |
| Sin | ἁμαρτία | ପାପ | High | Repentance and Baptism | 2:38; 3:19; 22:16 |
| Gentiles | ἔθνη | ଅନ୍ୟଜାତି | Medium | Gospel to Jews and Gentiles | 9:15; 10:45; 11:1,18; 13:46-48; 14:27; 15:3,7,12,14,19; 18:6; 21:19,25; 22:21; 26:17,20,23; 28:28 |
| Glory | δόξα | ମହିମା | High | Deity of Christ | 3:13; 7:2,55; 12:23; 22:11 |
| Obedience of faith | ὑπακοή (implied pattern) | ବିଶ୍ୱାସର ଆଜ୍ଞାବହତା | High | Repentance and Baptism | 6:7; 26:19-20 |
| Power of God | δύναμις θεοῦ | ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ସାମର୍ଥ୍ୟ | High | Apostolic Authority and Miracles | 1:8; 2:22; 3:12; 4:7,33; 6:8; 8:10; 10:38; 19:11 |
| Prophet / prophecy | προφήτης / προφητεία | ଭବିଷ୍ୟଦ୍ବକ୍ତା / ଭବିଷ୍ୟଦ୍ବାଣୀ | Low | Fulfillment of Prophecy | 2:16-18,30; 3:18,21-25; 7:37,42,48,52; 8:28,30,34; 10:43; 11:27; 13:1,20,27,40; 15:15,32; 21:9-10; 24:14; 26:22,27; 28:23 |
| Covenant | διαθήκη | ନିୟମ | High | Davidic Covenant; Abrahamic promise | 3:25; 7:8 |
| Election | ἐκλογή (implied) | ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ମନୋନୟନ | High | Effectual Calling | 9:15; 13:48; 22:14 |
| Providence | (theme, cf. πρόνοια) | ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ପରିଚାଳନା | High | Divine sovereignty over mission | 2:23; 17:26-28; 27 (theme throughout) |
| Mission | ἀποστολή / πέμπω | ମିଶନ / ସୁସମାଚାର ପ୍ରଚାର | Medium | Great Commission Fulfilled | throughout, esp. 13:2-4; 22:21 |
| David | Δαυίδ | ଦାଉଦ | Medium | Davidic Covenant | 1:16; 2:25-34; 4:25; 13:22,34,36; 15:16 |
| Israel | Ἰσραήλ | ଇସ୍ରାଏଲ | Medium | Gospel to Jews and Gentiles | 1:6; 2:36; 3:12; 4:10,27; 5:21,31; 7:23,37,42; 9:15; 10:36; 13:16,17,23,24; 28:20 |
| Seed of David | σπέρμα Δαυίδ | ଦାଉଦଙ୍କ ବଂଶରୁ | High | Davidic Covenant | 13:22-23 |
| Peace | εἰρήνη | ଶାନ୍ତି | Medium | Gospel to Jews and Gentiles | 9:31; 10:36; 15:33; 24:2 |
| Fellowship | κοινωνία | ସହଭାଗିତା | Low | Church as Community | 2:42 |
| Thanksgiving | εὐχαριστία (theme) | ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ ସ୍ତୁତି | Low | — | 27:35; 28:15 |
| Exhort | παρακαλέω | ଉତ୍ସାହିତ କରିବା (context-sensitive; ନିବେଦନ for entreaty) | Low | Mutual Edification | 2:40; 11:23; 14:22; 15:32; 16:40; 20:1-2 |
Section 2 — New Terms Introduced in Acts (proposed additions to translation memory)
| # | Term (English gloss) | Original | Transliteration | Odia Rendering | Odia Transliteration | Risk | Doctrine | Rejected alternatives | Grounding notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pentecost | πεντηκοστή | pentēkostē | ପେଣ୍ଟିକଷ୍ଟ (ପେଣ୍ଟିକଷ୍ଟ ପର୍ବ) | Peṇṭikaṣṭa | Medium | Holy Spirit and Pentecost | generic “festival” term | Names the specific, unrepeated inaugurating event; not a recurring seasonal festival |
| 2 | Tongues of fire | γλῶσσαι ὡσεὶ πυρός | glōssai hōsei pyros | ଅଗ୍ନି ପରି ଜିଭ | agni pari jiva | Medium-High | Holy Spirit and Pentecost | — | Fire imagery risks merging with ritual havan/homa or temple lamp-fire; requires translator note |
| 3 | Filled with the Holy Spirit | πίμπλημι/πληρόω πνεύματος ἁγίου | (e)plēsthēsan pneumatos hagiou | ପବିତ୍ର ଆତ୍ମାରେ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହେବା | pabitra ātmāre pūrṇṇa hebā | High | Holy Spirit and Pentecost | — | Must not be confused with oracular trance-possession folk practices |
| 4 | Speaking in [other] tongues | γλῶσσαι ἕτεραι / λαλεῖν γλώσσαις | glōssai heterai | ଅନ୍ୟ ଭାଷାରେ କହିବା | anya bhāṣāre kahibā | High | Holy Spirit and Pentecost | ecstatic/unintelligible utterance | Context (2:6-11) establishes real, intelligible human languages |
| 5 | Last days | ἔσχαται ἡμέραι | eschatai hēmerai | ଶେଷ କାଳ | śeṣa kāḻa | High | Holy Spirit and Pentecost; eschatology | — | Guard against cyclical yuga/kalpa renewal reading; not a recurring cosmic cycle |
| 6 | Pour out [the Spirit] | ἐκχέω | ekcheō | ଢାଳିବା | dhāḻibā | Medium-High | Holy Spirit and Pentecost | ritual libation/abhisheka framing | Risk of merging with Snana Yatra-style ceremonial pouring on an image |
| 7 | Day of the Lord | ἡμέρα Κυρίου | hēmera Kyriou | ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଦିନ | Prabhuṅka dina | Critical | Great Commission Fulfilled; eschatology | — | Linear, singular, final day — not cyclical pralaya |
| 8 | Call on the name of the Lord | ἐπικαλέομαι τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου | epikaleomai to onoma Kyriou | ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନାମରେ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରିବା / ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନାମ ଡାକିବା | Prabhuṅka nāmare prārthanā karibā | Critical | Repentance and Baptism; salvation confession | ଠାକୁରଙ୍କ ନାମ ଡାକିବା | Must match Romans 10:13 rendering exactly; never ଠାକୁର |
| 9 | Signs and wonders | σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα | sēmeia kai terata | ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଓ ଚିହ୍ନ | āścarya kārya o cihna | High | Apostolic Authority and Miracles | camatkāra (miracle-show), siddhi (yogic power) | Must be God’s authenticating acts, not guru/sadhu spiritual attainment |
| 10 | God’s determined plan and foreknowledge | βουλὴ καὶ πρόγνωσις τοῦ θεοῦ | boulē kai prognōsis tou theou | ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ସ୍ଥିରୀକୃତ ମନ୍ତ୍ରଣା ଓ ପୂର୍ବଜ୍ଞାନ | Parameśwaraṅka sthirīkṛta mantraṇā o pūrbajñāna | High | Providence | ଭାଗ୍ୟ (fate) | Parallels baseline Providence caution (Romans 8:28-30) |
| 11 | Crucify | σταυρόω | stauroō | କ୍ରୁଶରେ ବିଣ୍ଡାଇବା / କ୍ରୁଶାର୍ପିତ କରିବା | kruśare biṇḍāibā / kruśārpita karibā | Critical | Messianic Promise; atonement | symbolic death-and-renewal motif | Real, historical, unrepeatable atoning execution |
| 12 | Christ (title vs. proper name) | Χριστός | Christos | Titular: ମସୀହା-linked; name-form: ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟ (in “ଯୀଶୁ ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟ”) | Khrīṣṭa | Critical | Messianic Promise; Lordship of Christ | — | Disambiguate title (“the Christ”) from name-component (“Jesus Christ”) consistently |
| 13 | Cut to the heart | κατανύσσομαι | katanyssomai | ହୃଦୟ ବିଦୀର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହେବା | hṛdaya bidīrṇṇa hebā | Low-Medium | Repentance and Baptism | — | Spirit-produced conviction, not ritual guilt |
| 14 | Repent / repentance | μετανοέω / μετάνοια | metanoeō / metanoia | ମନ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ (କରନ୍ତୁ) | mana paribartana | Critical | Repentance and Baptism | ପ୍ରାୟଶ୍ଚିତ୍ତ (ritual expiation/penance) | Must never read as karma-offsetting penance |
| 15 | Baptize / baptism | βαπτίζω / βάπτισμα | baptizō / baptisma | ବାପ୍ତିସ୍ମ | bāptisma | Critical | Repentance and Baptism | ସ୍ନାନ (ritual bathing) | Never evoke Snana Yatra or river/tank ritual bathing |
| 16 | Forgiveness of sins | ἄφεσις ἁμαρτιῶν | aphesis hamartiōn | ପାପର କ୍ଷମା | pāpara kṣamā | High | Repentance and Baptism | debt cleared by merit/karma | Gracious pardon, not earned discharge |
| 17 | Gift of the Holy Spirit | δωρεὰ τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος | dōrea tou hagiou pneumatos | ପବିତ୍ର ଆତ୍ମାର ଦାନ | pabitra ātmāra dāna | High | Holy Spirit and Pentecost | ବର (deity’s boon) | Freely given, never purchased (contrast Simon Magus) |
| 18 | Promise | ἐπαγγελία | epangelia | ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞା | pratijñā | Medium | Great Commission Fulfilled; covenant | — | Ties Spirit’s gift to God’s covenant faithfulness |
| 19 | Added [to the church] | προστίθημι | prostithēmi | ମିଶାଇ ଦିଆଗଲେ / ସଂଯୁକ୍ତ ହେଲେ | miśāi diāgale | Low-Medium | Church as Community | — | Incorporation into a numbered, real community |
| 20 | Witness | μάρτυς | martys | ସାକ୍ଷୀ | sākṣī | High | Persecution and Bold Witness | neutral courtroom deposition | Costly, faithful eyewitness testimony; root of “martyr” |
| 21 | Casting lots | κλῆρος | klēros | ଗୁଳାଚିଠା ପକାଇବା | guḻāciṭhā pakāibā | Medium | Apostolic Authority | ଗଣନା (omen-reading) | One-time pre-Pentecost discernment method, not ongoing divination |
| 22 | Breaking of bread | κλάσις τοῦ ἄρτου | klasis tou artou | ରୁଟି ଭାଙ୍ଗିବା | ruṭi bhāṅgibā | Medium | Church as Community | temple-prasad distribution | Christ-remembering table fellowship, distinct from mahaprasad distribution |
| 23 | Servant [of God] (Christ title) | παῖς (θεοῦ) | pais (theou) | ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ଦାସ | Parameśwaraṅka dāsa | High | Deity/Sonship of Christ | ସେବକ | ସେବକ risks evoking hereditary Jagannath-temple seba roles |
| 24 | The Name [of Jesus] | τὸ ὄνομα | to onoma | (ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ) ନାମ | (Yīśuṅka) nāma | High | Apostolic Authority and Miracles | — | Authority is Christ’s own, invoked by name; not a formula or talisman |
| 25 | Restoration [of all things] | ἀποκατάστασις | apokatastasis | ସମସ୍ତ ବିଷୟର ପୁନଃସ୍ଥାପନ | samasta biṣayara punaḥsthāpana | Medium | Great Commission Fulfilled; eschatology | — | One final restoration, not cyclical renewal |
| 26 | Boldness | παρρησία | parrēsia | ନିର୍ଭୀକତା | nirbhīkatā | High | Persecution and Bold Witness | natural bravado | Spirit-given courage rooted in gospel truth |
| 27 | No other name | οὐδὲν ἄλλο ὄνομα | ouden allo onoma | ଅନ୍ୟ କୌଣସି ନାମ ନାହିଁ | anya kauṇasi nāma nāhiṁ | Critical | Salvation; Lordship of Christ | — | Exclusivity claim; must not be softened |
| 28 | Holding [possessions] in common | κοινά (ἅπαντα κοινά) | koina | ସମସ୍ତ ବିଷୟ ସାମୂହିକ ଭାବରେ ରଖିବା | samasta biṣaya sāmūhika bhābare rakhibā | Medium | Church as Community | caste-based mutual obligation; merit-almsgiving (dāna) | Voluntary, Spirit-motivated sharing |
| 29 | Obey God rather than men | πειθαρχεῖν θεῷ μᶰλλον ἢ ἀνθρώποις | peitharchein theō | ମନୁଷ୍ୟ ଅପେକ୍ଷା ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କୁ ମାନିବା | manuṣya apekṣā Parameśwaraṅkū mānibā | High | Apostolic Authority; Persecution | — | Governing principle for all persecution narratives |
| 30 | Angel | ἄγγελος | angelos | ଦୂତ | dūta | Low | Apostolic Authority and Miracles | — | Standard term; low collision risk |
| 31 | Testing/tempting the [Holy] Spirit | πειράζειν τὸ πνεῦμα | peirazein to pneuma | ପବିତ୍ର ଆତ୍ମାଙ୍କୁ ପରୀକ୍ଷା କରିବା | pabitra ātmāṅkū parīkṣā karibā | Medium-High | Holy Spirit and Pentecost | — | Reinforces the Spirit’s personal, knowing nature |
| 32 | Service / deacon | διακονία / διάκονος | diakonia / diakonos | ପରିଚର୍ଯ୍ୟା | paricaryā | High | Church as Community; Apostolic Authority | ସେବା / ସେବକ | Avoids hereditary, caste-linked seba temple-service associations |
| 33 | Stoning | λιθοβολέω | lithoboleō | ପଥର ମାରି ମାରିଦେବା | pathara māri māridebā | Medium | Persecution and Bold Witness | — | Full seriousness as martyrdom |
| 34 | Son of Man | υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου | huios tou anthrōpou | ମନୁଷ୍ୟପୁତ୍ର | manuṣyaputra | Critical | Deity/Sonship of Christ | generic “a human being” | Danielic exaltation title, distinct from but complementary to “Son of God” |
| 35 | Sorcery / magic | μαγεία / μάγος | mageia / magos | ମାୟା / ଯାଦୁ | māyā / jādu | High | Apostolic Authority and Miracles | — | Distinguish Spirit-given gifts from tantra-mantra/ojha occult practice |
| 36 | Laying on of hands | ἐπίθεσις χειρῶν | epithesis cheirōn | ହାତ ଥୋଇବା / ହସ୍ତାର୍ପଣ | hāta thoibā / hastārpaṇa | Medium | Holy Spirit and Pentecost; ordination | — | Power is the Spirit’s own action, not transmitted through hands as channel |
| 37 | The Way | ἡ ὁδός | hē hodos | ପଥ | patha | High | Great Commission Fulfilled; Christian identity | ମାର୍ଗ | ମାର୍ଗ evokes bhakti-mārga/jñāna-mārga plurality of paths; ପଥ is more neutral |
| 38 | Persecute | διώκω | diōkō | ତାଡ଼ନା ଦେବା / ଉତ୍ପୀଡ଼ନ କରିବା | tāḍanā debā / utpīḍana karibā | High | Conversion of Paul; Persecution and Bold Witness | — | — |
| 39 | Chosen instrument | σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς | skeuos eklogēs | ମନୋନୀତ ପାତ୍ର | manonīta pātra | High | Conversion of Paul; Election | ଭାଗ୍ୟ | Reuses election-doctrine caution |
| 40 | Common / unclean [food] | κοινός / ἀκάθαρτος | koinos / akathartos | ଅଶୁଚି / ଅପବିତ୍ର | aśuci / apabitra | High | Gospel to Jews and Gentiles | — | Parallels Odisha temple food-purity protocols and mahaprasad commensality practices |
| 41 | God shows no partiality | οὐ προσωπολήπτης [ὁ θεός] | ou prosōpolēmptēs | ପରମେଶ୍ୱର ପକ୍ଷପାତ କରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ | Parameśwara pakṣapāta karantī nāhiṁ | High | Gospel to Jews and Gentiles | — | Challenges caste-based spiritual hierarchy |
| 42 | Christian [name] | Χριστιανός | Christianos | ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟିୟାନ୍ / ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟିୟ ବିଶ୍ୱାସୀ | Khrīṣṭiyāna / Khrīṣṭiya biśwāsī | Medium | Christian Identity in Christ | — | Distinct from caste/ethnic/regional identity categories |
| 43 | Eternal life | ζωὴ αἰώνιος | zōē aiōnios | ଅନନ୍ତ ଜୀବନ | ananta jībana | High | Justification apart from the Law; Salvation | ମୋକ୍ଷ / ମୁକ୍ତି | Not liberation from rebirth cycle; unending fellowship with God |
| 44 | Gods [plural, polytheism] | θεοί | theoi | ଦେବତାମାନେ | debatāmāne | High | Great Commission Fulfilled; monotheism | — | Direct collision with regional deity-triad devotion |
| 45 | The living God | θεὸς ζῶν | theos zōn | ଜୀବିତ ପରମେଶ୍ୱର | jībita Parameśwara | High | Deity of Christ; Great Commission Fulfilled | — | Contrast with any ritually-consecrated or periodically-renewed image |
| 46 | Circumcision | περιτομή | peritomē | ସୁନ୍ନତ | sunnata | High | Justification apart from the Law | — | Flag for native-speaker confirmation of current Odia Bible usage |
| 47 | Food sacrificed to idols | εἰδωλόθυτα | eidōlothyta | ମୂର୍ତ୍ତିପୂଜାରେ ବଳିଦିଆ ଖାଦ୍ୟ | mūrtipūjāre baḻidiā khādya | Critical | Gospel to Jews and Gentiles; Church as Community | — | Direct live-practice parallel to Jagannath mahaprasad/bhoga |
| 48 | Yoke [of the law] | ζυγός | zygos | ଯୁଆଳି / ବନ୍ଧନ | juāḻi / bandhana | Medium-High | Justification apart from the Law | — | — |
| 49 | Household [salvation] | οἶκος | oikos | ଗୃହ / ପରିବାର | gṛha / paribāra | Medium | Repentance and Baptism | — | Household-shaped faith; not automatic individual guarantee |
| 50 | Spirit of divination | πνεῦμα πύθωνος | pneuma pythōnos | ଗଣନା ଆତ୍ମା / ଭୂତ ଆତ୍ମା | gaṇanā ātmā / bhūta ātmā | High | Apostolic Authority and Miracles | — | Contrasts folk oracular/possession practice with the Holy Spirit |
| 51 | Unknown god | ἄγνωστος θεός | agnōstos theos | ଅଜ୍ଞାତ ପରମେଶ୍ୱର | ajñāta Parameśwara | Medium | Great Commission Fulfilled | — | Rhetorical bridge only; not an endorsement of prior true worship |
| 52 | Idol | εἴδωλον | eidōlon | ପ୍ରତିମା | pratimā | Critical | Great Commission Fulfilled; Gospel to Jews and Gentiles | ମୂର୍ତ୍ତି | ମୂର୍ତ୍ତି is the devotional term Jagannath worshippers use for the sacred images themselves; avoid |
| 53 | Ignorance [times of] | ἄγνοια | agnoia | ଅଜ୍ଞତା | ajñatā | Low-Medium | Great Commission Fulfilled | — | — |
| 54 | Synagogue | συναγωγή | synagōgē | ସମାଜଗୃହ | samājagṛha | Medium | Gospel to Jews and Gentiles | ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ | Must be kept distinct from ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ (church) |
| 55 | Goddess [Artemis] | θεά | thea | ଦେବୀ | debī | High | Great Commission Fulfilled | — | Parallels Odisha’s Shakta goddess traditions (Samaleswari, Tarini) |
| 56 | Assembly [secular, not church] | ἐκκλησία (civic sense) | ekklēsia | ସଭା / ମହାସଭା | sabhā / mahāsabhā | Medium | (consistency rule) | ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ | Never render the civic-riot sense with ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ |
| 57 | Elder [church office] | πρεσβύτερος | presbyteros | ପ୍ରାଚୀନ | prācīna | Medium | Church as Community; Apostolic Authority | — | Distinguish from village/caste-panchayat elder councils |
| 58 | Overseer | ἐπίσκοπος | episkopos | ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷ | adhyakṣa | Medium | Church as Community | — | — |
| 59 | Shepherd [pastor] | ποιμήν / ποιμαίνειν | poimēn / poimainein | ପାଳକ | pālaka | Low-Medium | Church as Community | — | — |
| 60 | Vow [Nazirite] | εὐχή | euchē | ମାନତ | mānata | Medium-High | Apostolic Authority; cultural sensitivity | — | Common Odia devotional vow-practice; clarify not a merit-transaction with God |
| 61 | Citizenship | πολιτεία / πολίτης | politeia / politēs | ନାଗରିକତ୍ୱ | nāgarikatva | Low-Medium | Christian Identity in Christ | — | — |
| 62 | Conscience | συνείδησις | syneidēsis | ବିବେକ | bibeka | Medium | Justification apart from the Law | — | Spirit-illumined moral awareness, not karma-guilt sensation |
| 63 | Sect | αἵρεσις | hairesis | ପନ୍ଥ | pantha | High | Great Commission Fulfilled; Christian Identity | — | Parallels Odisha’s own Mahima Dharma (Alekh) movement structurally |
| 64 | Self-control | ἐγκράτεια | egkrateia | ଆତ୍ମସଂଯମ | ātmasaṅyama | Medium | Repentance and Baptism | — | — |
| 65 | Hope | ἐλπίς | elpis | ଆଶା | āśā | Medium | Conversion of Paul; Salvation | — | Standing hope in resurrection/fulfilled promise |
| 66 | Unhindered | ἀκωλύτως | akōlytōs | ବିନା ବାଧାରେ | binā bādhāre | Low-Medium | Great Commission Fulfilled | — | Closing thematic term for the book |
Section 3 — Standing Cross-Reference Notes for Translation Memory Integration
- Χριστός disambiguation — Odia rendering must switch on function, not lexical form: titular declarations (“Jesus is the Christ/Messiah”) link to ମସୀହା; the fixed proper-name compound “Jesus Christ” renders ଯୀଶୁ ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟ per the established transliteration standard already in the Romans requirements document. Flag every occurrence in Acts 2:36; 3:18,20; 5:42; 8:5,12,35; 9:22; 17:3; 18:5,28 for consistent handling.
- ἐκκλησία disambiguation — ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ is reserved exclusively for the church (Reused, Medium risk per baseline); the identical Greek word used of the Ephesian civic assembly (Acts 19:32,39-40) must render as ସଭା/ମହାସଭା, never ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ.
- Purity/food vocabulary cluster (κοινός/ἀκάθαρτος, εἰδωλόθυτα) forms the single highest-density Critical/High cultural-collision cluster in the book, given direct parallels to Jagannath mahaprasad/bhoga practice and caste-linked commensality; all occurrences require theologian review, cross-referenced with the baseline’s existing Ananda Bazaar note (Romans 14, universal_scope_of_gospel doctrine).
- Idol vocabulary cluster (εἴδωλον, θεοί, θεά, μάταιος) requires the ପ୍ରତିମା-over-ମୂରୟି decision to be applied consistently across every occurrence (Acts 7:41; 14:11-15; 15:20,29; 17:16,23,29-30; 19:26,35,37).
- This glossary, together with
07_semantic_analysis.md, is the required input to Phase 1 Step 2 (updatingtranslation_memory.json,bible_term_registry.json, anddoctrine_risk_registry.jsonfor the Acts curriculum) and to Phase 2 pre-flight loading once those registries are updated.
Critical Risk Terms
Righteousness
Approved rendering: ଧାର୍ମିକତା
Transliteration: dhārmikatā
Doctrine: Salvation
Rejected alternatives: ଧର୍ମ, ପୁଣ୍ୟ
Inherited from Romans package. CRITICAL: never ଧର୍ମ. Occurs at Acts 24:25 in Paul’s message to Felix, tied to the law-free gospel of Acts 13:38-39.
Justification
Approved rendering: ଧାର୍ମିକ ବୋଲି ଗଣା ଯିବା
Transliteration: dhārmika boli gaṇā jibā
Doctrine: Salvation
Rejected alternatives: କ୍ଷମା ପାଇବା, ପୁଣ୍ୟ ଅର୍ଜନ କରିବା
Inherited from Romans package. Compound phrase required, never abbreviated. Acts 13:39 (‘by him everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses’) is a directly load-bearing occurrence and MUST reuse this exact rendering verbatim.
Salvation
Approved rendering: ପରିତ୍ରାଣ
Transliteration: paritrāṇa
Doctrine: Salvation
Rejected alternatives: ମୋକ୍ଷ, ମୁକ୍ତି
Inherited from Romans package. CRITICAL: NEVER ମୋକ୍ଷ or ମୁକ୍ତି. Acts 4:12 (‘no other name’) sharpens this into an explicit exclusivity claim that must not be softened.
Resurrection
Approved rendering: ପୁନରୁତ୍ଥାନ
Transliteration: punarutthāna
Doctrine: Resurrection of Christ
Rejected alternatives: ପୁନର୍ଜନ୍ମ
Inherited from Romans package. CRITICAL: NEVER ପୁନର୍ଜନ୍ମ. Acts stages the resurrection repeatedly as public, contested, apologetic fact (17:32; 23:6-8), sharpening the baseline’s contrast with the periodic ritual renewal of Jagannath’s images at Nabakalebara.
Lord
Approved rendering: ପ୍ରଭୁ
Transliteration: prabhu
Doctrine: Lordship of Christ
Rejected alternatives: ଠାକୁର
Inherited from Romans package. CRITICAL: NEVER ଠାକୁର, the everyday devotional name for Jagannath (as in ‘ବଡ଼ ଠାକୁର’). Peter’s climactic double confession (Acts 2:36, ‘God has made him Lord and Christ’) is the doctrinal center of the core passage; Acts 2:21’s ‘call on the name of the Lord’ must render identically to Romans 10:13.
Son Of God
Approved rendering: ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର
Transliteration: Parameśwaraṅka Putra
Doctrine: Sonship of Christ
Rejected alternatives: ଅବତାରୀ ପୁରୁଷ
Inherited from Romans package. CRITICAL: full phrase required. Relevant to Acts 9:20 and 13:33 (quoting Psalm 2:7); conveys eternal, unique Sonship, not an avatar-figure.
Messiah
Approved rendering: ମସୀହା
Transliteration: Masīhā
Doctrine: Messianic Promise
Rejected alternatives: ଅବତାରୀ ପୁରୁଷ
Inherited from Romans package. CRITICAL: transliterated term; the unique OT-promised deliverer. In Acts used titularly of Jesus (2:36; 3:18; 17:3; 18:5,28); see also the new disambiguation rule ‘christ_title_vs_name’ below.
Jesus
Approved rendering: ଯୀଶୁ
Transliteration: Yīśu
Doctrine: Lordship of Christ
Rejected alternatives: ଈସା
Inherited from Romans package. Established Odia Christian standard; never ଈସା. The central figure of apostolic proclamation throughout Acts.
God
Approved rendering: ପରମେଶ୍ୱର
Transliteration: Parameśwara
Doctrine: Deity of Christ
Rejected alternatives: ଠାକୁର, ଭଗବାନ
Inherited from Romans package. CRITICAL: never ଠାକୁର or ଭଗବାନ. Acts 14:15 and 17:23-31 make the monotheistic contrast with regional plural devotion explicit.
Holy Spirit
Approved rendering: ପବିତ୍ର ଆତ୍ମା
Transliteration: Pabitra Ātmā
Doctrine: Sanctification
Rejected alternatives: ପରମାତ୍ମା
Inherited from Romans package. CRITICAL: never ପରମାତ୍ମା. Acts adds a distinct Odisha-specific risk beyond the baseline: the Spirit’s ‘filling’ (2:4; 4:8,31) must never be assimilated to oracular trance-possession found in village deity festivals or ojha exorcist practice.
Father
Approved rendering: ପିତା
Transliteration: Pitā
Doctrine: Adoption into God’s Family
Rejected alternatives: ସୃଷ୍ଟିକର୍ତ୍ତା
Inherited from Romans package. God as personal Father; also ‘the promise of the Father’ (Acts 1:4) and ‘promise made to the fathers’ (26:6).
Day Of The Lord
Approved rendering: ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଦିନ
Transliteration: Prabhuṅka dina
Doctrine: The Day of the Lord
NEW. Built on the Critical baseline term ପ୍ରଭୁ (never ଠାକୁର). Acts 2:20’s citation of Joel must be taught as one final, unrepeatable day of divine reckoning, not pralaya (cyclical cosmic dissolution) nor a periodically recurring renewal event.
Call On The Name Of The Lord
Approved rendering: ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନାମରେ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରିବା / ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନାମ ଡାକିବା
Transliteration: Prabhuṅka nāmare prārthanā karibā
Doctrine: Salvation Confession: Calling on the Name of the Lord
Rejected alternatives: ଠାକୁରଙ୍କ ନାମ ଡାକିବା
NEW. The salvation confession quoting Joel 2:32 (Acts 2:21), direct forerunner of Romans 10:13’s identical clause. Must use ପ୍ରଭୁ, never ଠାକୁର; must render IDENTICALLY to the Romans baseline rendering per the standing cross-document consistency rule. Also grounds Acts 4:12 and 16:31.
Crucify
Approved rendering: କ୍ରୁଶରେ ବିଣ୍ଡାଇବା / କ୍ରୁଶାର୍ପିତ କରିବା
Transliteration: kruśare biṇḍāibā / kruśārpita karibā
Doctrine: Messianic Promise
Rejected alternatives: symbolic death-and-renewal motif
NEW. A specific, historical Roman method of execution referenced climactically in Peter’s Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:36) and throughout Acts. Must be preserved as a literal, historical, unrepeatable execution with unique atoning significance — never softened into a symbolic or mythic death-and-renewal motif.
Christ Title Vs Name
Approved rendering: ମସୀହା (titular use) / ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟ (in the fixed compound ଯୀଶୁ ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟ)
Transliteration: Christos
Doctrine: Messianic Promise; Lordship of Christ
NEW standing disambiguation rule, not a single lexeme. Titular occurrences (‘the Christ/Messiah,’ e.g. 2:36; 3:18,20; 5:42; 8:5,12,35; 9:22; 17:3; 18:5,28) must link explicitly to ମସୀହା; the fixed proper-name compound ‘Jesus Christ’ renders ଯୀଶୁ ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟ. Flag every occurrence for consistent handling.
Repent
Approved rendering: ମନ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ କରନ୍ତୁ
Transliteration: mana paribartana karantu
Doctrine: Repentance and Baptism
Rejected alternatives: ପ୍ରାୟଶ୍ଚିତ୍ତ (ritual expiation/penance)
NEW. Must never be rendered ପ୍ରାୟଶ୍ଚିତ୍ତ (prāyaścitta), the Hindu concept of ritual expiation/penance performed to offset accumulated karma. Biblical repentance is a Spirit-enabled turning of the whole person toward God, granted through grace, not a ritual act that itself earns removal of guilt. The apostolic altar-call’s very first command (2:38; also 3:19; 17:30; 26:20).
Baptize
Approved rendering: ବାପ୍ତିସ୍ମ
Transliteration: bāptisma
Doctrine: Repentance and Baptism
Rejected alternatives: ସ୍ନାନ (ritual bathing)
NEW. Established transliteration retained deliberately BECAUSE every natural Odia paraphrase route (ସ୍ନାନ) leads directly into Snana Yatra ceremonial-bathing and river/tank ritual-bathing collision. Christian baptism is a once-for-all sign of union with Christ’s death and resurrection, not a repeatable purification rite (2:38,41; 8:36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15,33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16).
No Other Name
Approved rendering: ଅନ୍ୟ କୌଣସି ନାମ ନାହିଁ
Transliteration: anya kauṇasi nāma nāhiṁ
Doctrine: Exclusivity of Salvation: No Other Name
NEW. Peter’s exclusivity-of-salvation claim before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:12); must not be softened. Stands in real, unavoidable tension with the region’s plural devotional landscape (multiple deities, multiple paths, multiple regionally-beloved forms of Vishnu/Krishna at Puri).
Son Of Man
Approved rendering: ମନୁଷ୍ୟପୁତ୍ର
Transliteration: manuṣyaputra
Doctrine: Deity and Sonship of Christ in Acts
Rejected alternatives: generic ‘a human being’
NEW. A Danielic title (Daniel 7:13-14) for the exalted, enthroned, universally-reigning divine-human figure, seen by Stephen (Acts 7:56). Must not be flattened to a generic phrase meaning merely ‘a human being,’ nor merged with avatar theology; a specific messianic-exaltation title distinct from, and complementary to, ‘Son of God.‘
Food Sacrificed To Idols
Approved rendering: ମୂର୍ତ୍ତିପୂଜାରେ ବଳିଦିଆ ଖାଦ୍ୟ
Transliteration: mūrtipūjāre baḻidiā khādya
Doctrine: Food Sacrificed to Idols
NEW. Food ritually offered to idols, addressed by the Jerusalem Council’s ruling (15:20,29) and Paul’s later missionary practice (21:25). Names a live pastoral question directly analogous to Jagannath’s mahaprasad/bhoga; requires theologian review at every occurrence and must never be rendered inflammatorily naming the local practice directly.
Idol
Approved rendering: ପ୍ରତିମା
Transliteration: pratimā
Doctrine: Idolatry and Monotheism
Rejected alternatives: ମୂର୍ତ୍ତି
NEW. An image representing a deity, used for worship (7:41; 14:15; 17:16,23,29-30; 19:26,35,37). ପ୍ରତିମା required over ମୂର୍ତ୍ତି, the devotional, reverent term Odia Vaishnav worshippers use for Jagannath’s own sacred wooden images; using ମୂର୍ତ୍ତି in negative biblical polemic would read as a direct attack naming Jagannath’s images specifically. Requires theologian sign-off at every occurrence.
High Risk Terms
Gospel
Approved rendering: ସୁସମାଚାର
Transliteration: susamācāra
Doctrine: Gospel
Rejected alternatives: ଖବର
Inherited from Romans package. Established Odia Christian term (su- ‘good’ + samācāra ‘news’). In Acts this is the authoritative announcement preached from Jerusalem to Rome; must be distinguished from Odisha’s own devotional literary tradition (Panchasakha poets’ Odia Bhagavata), which offers its own ‘good teaching’ but not this specific historical announcement.
Grace
Approved rendering: କୃପା
Transliteration: kṛpā
Doctrine: Grace
Rejected alternatives: କର୍ମଫଳ, ପୁଣ୍ୟ
Inherited from Romans package. Unmerited favor apart from human merit. Simon Magus’s attempt to purchase spiritual power with money (Acts 8:18-20) is a direct Acts-specific teaching contrast to grace as an unpurchasable gift, reinforcing the caution against the ritual-offering economy (seba, bhoga) surrounding Jagannath devotion.
Faith
Approved rendering: ବିଶ୍ୱାସ
Transliteration: biśwāsa
Doctrine: Faith
Rejected alternatives: ଭକ୍ତି
Inherited from Romans package. Personal trust in Christ specifically; never ଭକ୍ତି, which carries Odia Vaishnav devotional-surrender sense. Grounds healing, salvation, and church growth throughout Acts.
Called
Approved rendering: ଆହୂତ
Transliteration: āhūta
Doctrine: Divine Calling
Rejected alternatives: ନିମନ୍ତ୍ରିତ
Inherited from Romans package. Context-sensitive; in Acts covers the calling embedded in the Pentecost promise (2:39) and Paul’s missionary calling (13:2; 16:10).
Calling
Approved rendering: ଆହ୍ୱାନ
Transliteration: āhwāna
Doctrine: Divine Calling
Inherited from Romans package. Noun form for the act/state of being called.
Holy
Approved rendering: ପବିତ୍ର
Transliteration: pabitra
Doctrine: Sanctification
Rejected alternatives: ଶୁଦ୍ଧ
Inherited from Romans package. Set apart for God and morally pure; never ଶୁଦ୍ଧ (ritual purity). Used of Jesus (Acts 3:14) and of believers (9:13,32,41).
Saints
Approved rendering: ପବିତ୍ର ଲୋକ
Transliteration: pabitra loka
Doctrine: Sainthood
Rejected alternatives: ସାଧୁ, ପଞ୍ଚସଖା
Inherited from Romans package. Never ପଞ୍ଚସଖା (the revered Odia Vaishnav poet-saints). Corporate designation for all believers (Acts 9:13,32,41; 26:10).
Sanctification
Approved rendering: ପବିତ୍ରୀକରଣ
Transliteration: pabitrīkaraṇa
Doctrine: Sanctification
Rejected alternatives: ଶୁଦ୍ଧିକରଣ
Inherited from Romans package. The Spirit’s ongoing work of making believers holy; implicit in Acts 26:18 (‘those who are sanctified by faith in me’).
Law
Approved rendering: ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା
Transliteration: byabasthā
Doctrine: Fulfillment of Prophecy
Rejected alternatives: ଧର୍ମ
Inherited from Romans package. NEVER ଧର୍ମ. Central to the Acts 15 Jerusalem Council debate and Acts 13:39, 21:20-24, 25:8.
Sin
Approved rendering: ପାପ
Transliteration: pāpa
Doctrine: Universal Human Accountability
Rejected alternatives: ଅଧର୍ମ
Inherited from Romans package. Moral transgression before a personal God; object of repentance and forgiveness (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 22:16).
Glory
Approved rendering: ମହିମା
Transliteration: mahimā
Doctrine: Deity of Christ
Rejected alternatives: ତେଜ
Inherited from Romans package. Used of Stephen’s vision (7:55), the persecuted church’s testimony (7:2), and God’s judgment on Herod (12:23).
Obedience Of Faith
Approved rendering: ବିଶ୍ୱାସର ଆଜ୍ଞାବହତା
Transliteration: biśwāsara ājñābahatā
Doctrine: Obedience of Faith
Rejected alternatives: ଧାର୍ମିକ କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟ
Inherited from Romans package. Obedience flowing from faith already granted; seen in the growing ‘obedience’ of priests/believers (Acts 6:7) and Paul’s account of his ministry (26:19-20).
Power Of God
Approved rendering: ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ସାମର୍ଥ୍ୟ
Transliteration: Parameśwaraṅka Sāmarthya
Doctrine: Power of God for Salvation
Rejected alternatives: ଶକ୍ତି
Inherited from Romans package. Use ସାମର୍ଥ୍ୟ; never ଶକ୍ତି (Shakta goddess tradition). Acts intensifies exposure to this risk given denser miracle narratives than Romans (1:8; 2:22; 3:12; 4:7,33; 6:8; 8:10; 10:38; 19:11).
Covenant
Approved rendering: ନିୟମ
Transliteration: niyama
Doctrine: Davidic Covenant
Rejected alternatives: ଚୁକ୍ତି
Inherited from Romans package. Never ଚୁକ୍ତି. Invoked for Abraham (7:8) and the Davidic promise (3:25; 15:16).
Election
Approved rendering: ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ମନୋନୟନ
Transliteration: Parameśwaraṅka Manonayana
Doctrine: Effectual Calling
Rejected alternatives: ଭାଗ୍ୟ, ନିୟତି
Inherited from Romans package. Not fate; not the sign-based ritual selection procedure used to identify a new Jagannath image during Nabakalebara. Applied to Paul (9:15; 22:14) and to those ‘appointed to eternal life’ (13:48).
Providence
Approved rendering: ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ପରିଚାଳନା
Transliteration: Parameśwaraṅka Paricāḷanā
Doctrine: Providence
Rejected alternatives: ଭାଗ୍ୟ, କର୍ମର ନିୟମ
Inherited from Romans package. God’s personal governance over the crucifixion (2:23), the nations (17:26-28), and Paul’s voyage (Acts 27); vulnerable to ଭାଗ୍ୟ (fate) or impersonal karma-law misreading, especially in the shipwreck narrative.
Seed Of David
Approved rendering: ଦାଉଦଙ୍କ ବଂଶରୁ
Transliteration: Dāudaṅka Baṃśaru
Doctrine: Davidic Covenant
Inherited from Romans package. Physical descent from David fulfilling the Davidic covenant, argued explicitly in Paul’s synagogue sermon (Acts 13:22-23).
Filled With The Holy Spirit
Approved rendering: ପବିତ୍ର ଆତ୍ମାରେ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହେବା
Transliteration: pabitra ātmāre pūrṇṇa hebā
Doctrine: Holy Spirit and Pentecost
NEW. Must be clearly distinguished from oracular spirit-possession or trance phenomena in Odisha folk religious practice (village deity festival possession, ojha/exorcist practice, trance oracles). Biblical filling is personal, willing indwelling producing coherent proclamation and character (2:4; 4:8,31; 6:5; 9:17; 13:9), not involuntary trance.
Speaking In Other Tongues
Approved rendering: ଅନ୍ୟ ଭାଷାରେ କହିବା
Transliteration: anya bhāṣāre kahibā
Doctrine: Speaking in Other Tongues
Rejected alternatives: ecstatic/unintelligible utterance
NEW. Context (Acts 2:6-11) establishes real, intelligible human languages given so each hearer heard God’s wonders in his own tongue; must never suggest ecstatic, unintelligible utterance nor be assimilated to folk trance-speech phenomena. Recurs at 10:46, 19:6.
Last Days
Approved rendering: ଶେଷ କାଳ
Transliteration: śeṣa kāḻa
Doctrine: The Last Days (Linear Eschatological Fulfillment)
NEW. Odisha’s dominant devotional cosmology (yuga/kalpa cycles; the periodically recurring Nabakalebara renewal of Jagannath’s images) offers a strong cyclical-renewal misreading that must be resisted; ‘last days’ (Acts 2:17) is a linear, unrepeated final era moving toward a single consummation.
Signs And Wonders
Approved rendering: ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଓ ଚିହ୍ନ
Transliteration: āścarya kārya o cihna
Doctrine: Apostolic Authority and Miracles
Rejected alternatives: camatkāra (miracle-show), siddhi (yogic power)
NEW. Must be sharply distinguished from guru/sadhu siddhi (yogic-attainment supernatural power) and camatkāra (holy-man miracle-show hagiography). Authenticating acts of God validating a specific historical message about Jesus (2:22,43; 4:30; 5:12; 6:8; 8:6-13; 19:11-12), never personal spiritual attainment.
Gods Determined Plan And Foreknowledge
Approved rendering: ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ସ୍ଥିରୀକୃତ ମନ୍ତ୍ରଣା ଓ ପୂର୍ବଜ୍ଞାନ
Transliteration: Parameśwaraṅka sthirīkṛta mantraṇā o pūrbajñāna
Doctrine: Divine Election and Providence in Mission
Rejected alternatives: ଭାଗ୍ୟ (fate)
NEW. Directly parallels the baseline’s Providence doctrine (Romans 8:28-30); must not be read through ଭାଗ୍ୟ (fate) or impersonal karma-law. Encompasses even the crucifixion (Acts 2:23).
Forgiveness Of Sins
Approved rendering: ପାପର କ୍ଷମା
Transliteration: pāpara kṣamā
Doctrine: Forgiveness of Sins and the Gift of the Spirit
Rejected alternatives: debt cleared by merit/karma
NEW, built on the inherited ପାପ term. God’s own gracious pardon, not a debt discharged by accumulated merit, ritual offering, or the working-off of karma (2:38; 5:31; 10:43; 13:38; 26:18).
Gift Of The Holy Spirit
Approved rendering: ପବିତ୍ର ଆତ୍ମାର ଦାନ
Transliteration: pabitra ātmāra dāna
Doctrine: Forgiveness of Sins and the Gift of the Spirit
Rejected alternatives: ବର (deity’s boon)
NEW. Consistent with the baseline’s ଆତ୍ମିକ ଦାନ pattern; freely given, never purchased or ritually obtained — contrast Simon Magus (8:18-20). The Spirit given to all who repent and believe (2:38), shown to be identically available to Gentiles (10:45; 11:17).
Witness
Approved rendering: ସାକ୍ଷୀ
Transliteration: sākṣī
Doctrine: Persecution and Bold Witness
Rejected alternatives: neutral courtroom deposition
NEW. Foundational to Persecution and Bold Witness across the whole book (1:8,22; 22:15; 26:16); must convey costly, faithful, eyewitness testimony to a specific historical/theological claim, not neutral courtroom deposition. Note the word’s trajectory into English ‘martyr’ (cf. Acts 7, 12, 22).
Servant Of God
Approved rendering: ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ଦାସ
Transliteration: Parameśwaraṅka dāsa
Doctrine: Deity and Sonship of Christ in Acts
Rejected alternatives: ସେବକ
NEW. Honored servant title for Jesus, echoing the Isaianic Suffering Servant (3:13,26). ସେବକ/ସେବା is closely tied to the hereditary, caste-linked seba roles of Jagannath temple functionaries; ଦାସ preserves honored, self-giving servanthood without invoking that framework.
The Name Of Jesus
Approved rendering: ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ ନାମ
Transliteration: Yīśuṅka nāma
Doctrine: Apostolic Authority and Miracles
NEW. Christ’s own authority invoked for healing and salvation (3:6,16; 4:10,12,30); power operates through Christ’s own authority invoked by name, not through a formula, talisman, or the apostle’s personal spiritual attainment.
Boldness
Approved rendering: ନିର୍ଭୀକତା
Transliteration: nirbhīkatā
Doctrine: Persecution and Bold Witness
Rejected alternatives: natural bravado
NEW. Fearless, unashamed public speech in the face of danger (4:13,29,31; 9:27-28; 28:31); must convey Spirit-given courage rooted in gospel truth, not mere natural bravado or social defiance.
Obey God Rather Than Men
Approved rendering: ମନୁଷ୍ୟ ଅପେକ୍ଷା ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କୁ ମାନିବା
Transliteration: manuṣya apekṣā Parameśwaraṅkū mānibā
Doctrine: Persecution and Bold Witness
NEW. The apostles’ governing principle when ordered by the Sanhedrin to stop preaching (Acts 5:29); establishes the principle governing all later persecution narratives.
Service Deacon
Approved rendering: ପରିଚର୍ଯ୍ୟା
Transliteration: paricaryā
Doctrine: Church Leadership and Office
Rejected alternatives: ସେବା, ସେବକ
NEW. Practical church service becoming an official office (the Seven, Acts 6:1-6). ପରିଚର୍ଯ୍ୟା preferred over ସେବା/ସେବକ, which carry strong associations with the hereditary, caste-linked seba service roles of Jagannath temple functionaries; diaconal service is a voluntary, Spirit-appointed office open to any qualified believer.
Sorcery Magic
Approved rendering: ମାୟା / ଯାଦୁ
Transliteration: māyā / jādu
Doctrine: Sorcery Versus the Holy Spirit’s Power
NEW. Occult practice claiming supernatural power through spells or manipulation of spiritual forces (Simon of Samaria, 8:9-24; Elymas, 13:6-11). Must be sharply distinguished from Spirit-given ministry gifts; carries real pastoral weight in rural Odisha, where folk beliefs about tantra-mantra practice, ojha rites, and black-magic accusations remain active.
The Way
Approved rendering: ପଥ
Transliteration: patha
Doctrine: ‘The Way’ as Exclusive Christian Identity
Rejected alternatives: ମାର୍ଗ
NEW. The early Christian movement’s self-designation (9:2; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22). ମାର୍ଗ carries strong pre-existing associations with named spiritual paths (bhakti-mārga, jñāna-mārga, karma-mārga), which would frame Christianity as one path among several — precisely opposite to Acts’ intent. A translator note is required at first occurrence (9:2) stating ‘the Way’ names the one, exclusive way of salvation in Christ.
Persecute
Approved rendering: ତାଡ଼ନା ଦେବା / ଉତ୍ପୀଡ଼ନ କରିବା
Transliteration: tāḍanā debā / utpīḍana karibā
Doctrine: Conversion of Paul; Persecution and Bold Witness
NEW. Hostile pursuit and suppression of believers, defining both Saul’s pre-conversion activity and the church’s ongoing experience (8:1,3; 9:1-2,4-5; 22:4,7-8; 26:11,14-15).
Chosen Instrument
Approved rendering: ମନୋନୀତ ପାତ୍ର
Transliteration: manonīta pātra
Doctrine: Conversion of Paul; Divine Election and Providence in Mission
Rejected alternatives: ଭାଗ୍ୟ
NEW. God’s description of Saul/Paul’s sovereign appointment for mission (Acts 9:15); connects to the baseline election doctrine’s caution against fate and against the sign-based ritual selection procedure used in Nabakalebara.
Common Unclean Food
Approved rendering: ଅଶୁଚି / ଅପବିତ୍ର
Transliteration: aśuci / apabitra
Doctrine: Ritual Purity and Clean/Unclean Food
NEW. Ritually impure food/objects under Mosaic law, the subject of Peter’s vision (10:14-15,28; 11:8-9). Directly parallels the baseline’s holiness/purity discussion (ପବିତ୍ର vs. ଶୁଦ୍ଧ) and connects concretely to Odisha’s food-purity protocols surrounding Jagannath temple worship; Peter’s vision abolishes the ritual-purity food barrier in Christ, going further than the caste-crossing exception of Ananda Bazaar mahaprasad.
God Shows No Partiality
Approved rendering: ପରମେଶ୍ୱର ପକ୍ଷପାତ କରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ
Transliteration: Parameśwara pakṣapāta karantī nāhiṁ
Doctrine: God Shows No Partiality
NEW. Peter’s declaration at Cornelius’s house (10:34-35; also 15:9); directly challenges caste-based spiritual hierarchy, paralleling the baseline’s Unity of Jews and Gentiles doctrine — must be translated with full force, not softened.
Eternal Life
Approved rendering: ଅନନ୍ତ ଜୀବନ
Transliteration: ananta jībana
Doctrine: Justification Apart from the Law
Rejected alternatives: ମୋକ୍ଷ, ମୁକ୍ତି
NEW. Unending personal fellowship with God through Christ, the destiny of those appointed to believe (13:46,48). Must be distinguished from ମୋକ୍ଷ/ମୁକ୍ତି — liberation from the cycle of rebirth (already Critically forbidden for ‘salvation’ in the baseline) — the same forbidden-substitution rule extends here.
Gods Plural
Approved rendering: ଦେବତାମାନେ
Transliteration: debatāmāne
Doctrine: Idolatry and Monotheism
NEW. The Lystran crowd’s mistaken identification of Paul and Barnabas as Hermes and Zeus (14:11-13); direct polytheism-monotheism collision with Odisha’s own multiple venerated deities and deity-triads (Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra). Paul and Barnabas’s forceful refusal must be preserved with full force.
Living God
Approved rendering: ଜୀବିତ ପରମେଶ୍ୱର
Transliteration: jībita Parameśwara
Doctrine: Idolatry and Monotheism
NEW. Paul’s contrast between the one living God and lifeless idols (Acts 14:15); a pointed contrast with any crafted image, however elaborately ritually consecrated or periodically renewed (cf. Nabakalebara caution) — the point of ‘living’ is that God is inherently, eternally, personally alive, not that an image has been ritually ‘brought to life.‘
Circumcision
Approved rendering: ସୁନ୍ନତ
Transliteration: sunnata
Doctrine: The Jerusalem Council and Gentile Freedom from the Law
NEW. The Jerusalem Council’s central test-case: whether Gentile believers must be circumcised to be saved (15:1,5,24). Flag for native-speaker confirmation that ସୁନ୍ନତ remains the term used in the current Odia Bible tradition, given its everyday association with Islamic practice.
Spirit Of Divination
Approved rendering: ଗଣନା ଆତ୍ମା / ଭୂତ ଆତ୍ମା
Transliteration: gaṇanā ātmā / bhūta ātmā
Doctrine: Sorcery Versus the Holy Spirit’s Power
NEW. An oracular, fortune-telling spirit expelled by Paul at Philippi (16:16-18); parallels the baseline’s rejected-alternative note for ‘prophet’ (never ଜ୍ୟୋତିଷୀ) and connects to Odisha folk oracular spirit-possession and fortune-telling. Must never be abbreviated to bare ଆତ୍ମା, which would be visually indistinguishable from ପବିତ୍ର ଆତ୍ମା in short reference.
Goddess
Approved rendering: ଦେବୀ
Transliteration: debī
Doctrine: Idolatry and Monotheism
NEW. Artemis/Diana of the Ephesians, whose cult provokes the Ephesian riot (Acts 19:27-35); directly parallels the baseline’s caution on ଶକ୍ତି and Odisha’s own prominent goddess-devotion traditions (Maa Samaleswari at Sambalpur, Maa Tarini at Ghatagaon).
Sect
Approved rendering: ପନ୍ଥ
Transliteration: pantha
Doctrine: ‘The Way’ as Exclusive Christian Identity
NEW. ‘The Way’ described dismissively as a sect by the Sanhedrin’s accusers (24:5,14). Odisha’s own indigenous Mahima Dharma (Alekh) movement is structured similarly to a pantha; rendering ‘the Way’ as merely a pantha risks framing Christianity as one more local sect rather than the exclusive way Acts insists it is — pair the loanword with a clarifying phrase distinguishing the accusation from the church’s own self-understanding.
Medium Risk Terms
Apostle
Approved rendering: ପ୍ରେରିତ
Transliteration: prerita
Doctrine: Apostleship
Rejected alternatives: ଗୁରୁ
Inherited from Romans package. Never ଗୁରୁ, which implies self-attained teaching authority rather than a delegated, sent commission. Applies to the Twelve and, later, Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:4,14).
Peace
Approved rendering: ଶାନ୍ତି
Transliteration: śānti
Doctrine: Peace with God
Rejected alternatives: ମନ ଶାନ୍ତି
Inherited from Romans package. Relational peace with God, not devotional-pilgrimage calm; occurs at Acts 9:31, 10:36, 15:33, 24:2.
Church
Approved rendering: ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ
Transliteration: maṇḍaḷī
Doctrine: Church as God’s People
Rejected alternatives: ମନ୍ଦିର, ଦେଉଳ
Inherited from Romans package. Never ମନ୍ଦିର or ଦେଉଳ (the Puri Jagannath temple). Reserved exclusively for the believing community (Acts 2:47; 5:11; 8:1,3; 9:31; 11:26; 12:1,5; 13:1; 14:23,27; 15:3-4,22,41; 16:5; 20:17,28). NEW ACTS-SPECIFIC RULE: the identical Greek word ἐκκλησία is used in Acts 19:32,39-40 for the Ephesian civic riot-assembly — that occurrence must NOT be rendered ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ; see new term ‘assembly_secular’ below.
Kingdom Of God
Approved rendering: ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ରାଜ୍ୟ
Transliteration: Parameśwaraṅka Rājya
Doctrine: Kingdom Mission
Inherited from Romans package. God’s sovereign reign, not a territorial kingdom; frames Jesus’ pre-ascension teaching and apostolic preaching to the book’s close (Acts 1:3,6; 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23,31).
Gentiles
Approved rendering: ଅନ୍ୟଜାତି
Transliteration: anyajāti
Doctrine: Unity of Jews and Gentiles
Rejected alternatives: ବିଦେଶୀ
Inherited from Romans package. Recipients of the gospel from Acts 10 onward (9:15; 10:45; 11:1,18; 13:46-48; 14:27; 15:3,7,12,14,19; 18:6; 21:19,25; 22:21; 26:17,20,23; 28:28).
Mission
Approved rendering: ମିଶନ / ସୁସମାଚାର ପ୍ରଚାର
Transliteration: miśana / susamācāra pracāra
Doctrine: Mission to the Nations
Inherited from Romans package. Structural theme of Acts (13:2-4; 22:21); retain awareness of colonial-era connotation of ‘mission’ loanword.
David
Approved rendering: ଦାଉଦ
Transliteration: Dāuda
Doctrine: Davidic Covenant
Inherited from Romans package. Source figure of the Davidic covenant, quoted extensively in Peter’s Pentecost sermon (1:16; 2:25-34; 4:25; 13:22,34,36; 15:16).
Israel
Approved rendering: ଇସ୍ରାଏଲ
Transliteration: Isrāela
Doctrine: Unity of Jews and Gentiles
Inherited from Romans package. Subject of the Pentecost sermon’s appeal and the book’s Jew/Gentile mission narrative.
Pentecost
Approved rendering: ପେଣ୍ଟିକଷ୍ଟ (ପେଣ୍ଟିକଷ୍ଟ ପର୍ବ on first use)
Transliteration: Peṇṭikaṣṭa
Doctrine: Holy Spirit and Pentecost
Rejected alternatives: generic ପର୍ବ (festival)
NEW. Transliterated loanword paired with a descriptive gloss on first use (Acts 2:1). Must not be rendered by a generic word for ‘festival’ alone, and must not be assimilated to any regional seasonal harvest festival.
Cut To The Heart
Approved rendering: ହୃଦୟ ବିଦୀର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହେବା
Transliteration: hṛdaya bidīrṇṇa hebā
Doctrine: Repentance and Baptism
NEW. Genuine Spirit-produced conviction of sin in the Pentecost crowd (Acts 2:37), not induced guilt from ritual infraction.
Promise
Approved rendering: ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞା
Transliteration: pratijñā
Doctrine: Davidic Covenant
NEW. Ties the Spirit’s gift to God’s covenant faithfulness (Acts 2:39) and to Israel’s hope (13:23,32; 26:6).
Added To The Church
Approved rendering: ମିଶାଇ ଦିଆଗଲେ / ସଂଯୁକ୍ତ ହେଲେ
Transliteration: miśāi diāgale / saṅyukta hele
Doctrine: The Church as Community
NEW. Believers are added to a real, numbered community (2:41,47; 5:14; 11:24), not merely enlightened as isolated individuals.
Casting Lots
Approved rendering: ଗୁଳାଚିଠା ପକାଇବା
Transliteration: guḻāciṭhā pakāibā
Doctrine: Apostolic Authority and Miracles
Rejected alternatives: ଗଣନା (omen-reading)
NEW. The one-time, Spirit-guided discernment method used to choose Matthias before Pentecost (Acts 1:26); distinguished from folk fortune-telling by lots or omen-reading, and not endorsed as an ongoing divinatory pattern.
Breaking Of Bread
Approved rendering: ରୁଟି ଭାଙ୍ଗିବା
Transliteration: ruṭi bhāṅgibā
Doctrine: The Church as Community
Rejected alternatives: temple-prasad distribution
NEW. Christ-remembering table fellowship among believers (2:42,46), kept distinct from the Ananda Bazaar/mahaprasad shared-meal tradition at Puri, a genuine but imperfect local reference point already flagged in the Romans baseline’s food-practice note.
Restoration Of All Things
Approved rendering: ସମସ୍ତ ବିଷୟର ପୁନଃସ୍ଥାପନ
Transliteration: samasta biṣayara punaḥsthāpana
Doctrine: The Great Commission Fulfilled
NEW. The final eschatological restoration accomplished once at Christ’s return (Acts 3:21), not a cyclical renewal pattern.
Holding Possessions In Common
Approved rendering: ସମସ୍ତ ବିଷୟ ସାମୂହିକ ଭାବରେ ରଖିବା
Transliteration: samasta biṣaya sāmūhika bhābare rakhibā
Doctrine: The Church as Community
Rejected alternatives: caste-based mutual obligation, merit-almsgiving (dāna)
NEW. The Jerusalem church’s voluntary sharing of possessions (2:44-45; 4:32-35); voluntary, Spirit-motivated generosity, distinct from caste-based mutual-obligation systems or ritual almsgiving performed for personal religious merit.
Stoning
Approved rendering: ପ୍ରସ୍ତରାଘାତ କରିବା
Transliteration: prastarāghāta karibā
Doctrine: Persecution and Bold Witness
NEW. The method of Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 7:58-59); descriptive term with no major cultural collision, but must be rendered with full seriousness as martyrdom, not generic violence.
Laying On Of Hands
Approved rendering: ହାତ ଥୋଇବା / ହସ୍ତାର୍ପଣ
Transliteration: hāta thoibā / hastārpaṇa
Doctrine: The Holy Spirit and Pentecost
NEW. The apostolic act accompanying reception of the Holy Spirit and commissioning for ministry (8:17-19; 6:6; 13:3; 19:6); keep distinct from any healing-touch or blessing-transfer ritual gesture found in folk practice — power is the Spirit’s own sovereign action, not transmitted through hands as a channel.
Christian Name
Approved rendering: ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟିୟାନ୍ / ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟିୟ ବିଶ୍ୱାସୀ
Transliteration: Khrīṣṭiyāna / Khrīṣṭiya biśwāsī
Doctrine: Christian Identity in Christ
NEW. The new corporate identity-name first used at Antioch (Acts 11:26); kept distinct from caste, ethnic, or regional-cultural identity categories, including identity built around Jagannath devotion as a marker of Odia cultural pride.
Sexual Immorality
Approved rendering: ବ୍ୟଭିଚାର
Transliteration: byabhicāra
Doctrine: The Jerusalem Council and Gentile Freedom from the Law
NEW. One of the Jerusalem Council’s minimal ethical requirements for Gentile believers (15:20,29); standard vocabulary.
Household
Approved rendering: ଗୃହ / ପରିବାର
Transliteration: gṛha / paribāra
Doctrine: Household Faith and Baptism
NEW. Household-shaped faith and baptism, as with Lydia and the Philippian jailer (16:15,31-34); should not be over-read as guaranteeing every individual household member’s salvation.
Unknown God
Approved rendering: ଅଜ୍ଞାତ ପରମେଶ୍ୱର
Transliteration: ajñāta Parameśwara
Doctrine: Idolatry and Monotheism
NEW. The Athenian altar inscription Paul uses as a rhetorical bridge (Acts 17:23); should not be read as endorsing that the Athenians already worshipped the true God under another name — only their admitted ignorance sets up the fuller revelation Paul proclaims.
Ignorance Times Of
Approved rendering: ଅଜ୍ଞତା
Transliteration: ajñatā
Doctrine: The Great Commission Fulfilled
NEW. The ‘times of ignorance’ God has overlooked, now calling all to repentance (Acts 17:30); low collision risk.
Synagogue
Approved rendering: ସମାଜଗୃହ
Transliteration: samājagṛha
Doctrine: The Gospel to Jews and Gentiles
Rejected alternatives: ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ
NEW. The Jewish assembly-place, Paul’s regular preaching venue (13:5,14; 14:1; 17:1,10,17; 18:4,7,19; 19:8). Must be kept distinct from ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ (church) to avoid conflating the pre-Christian Jewish institution with the New Testament church, while preserving continuity of the gospel’s Jewish roots.
Assembly Secular
Approved rendering: ସଭା / ମହାସଭା
Transliteration: sabhā / mahāsabhā
Doctrine: Church as God’s People (consistency rule)
Rejected alternatives: ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ
NEW consistency-rule term. The secular civic assembly/riot crowd at Ephesus (Acts 19:32,39-40) uses the identical Greek word (ἐκκλησία) as ‘church.’ Must NOT be rendered ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ, reserved exclusively for the church; use ସଭା/ମହାସଭା to keep the two senses of the identical Greek word visibly distinct in Odia.
Elder
Approved rendering: ପ୍ରାଚୀନ
Transliteration: prācīna
Doctrine: Church Leadership and Office
NEW. Church leadership office established by Paul (14:23; 20:17); distinguish from generic ‘old man’ and from village/caste-panchayat elder-council authority structures common in Odia village society, which operate on inherited or caste-linked status rather than spiritual qualification.
Overseer
Approved rendering: ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷ
Transliteration: adhyakṣa
Doctrine: Church Leadership and Office
NEW. The pastoral-oversight office Paul charges the Ephesian elders with (Acts 20:28); standard church-office vocabulary.
Conscience
Approved rendering: ବିବେକ
Transliteration: bibeka
Doctrine: Justification Apart from the Law
NEW. Paul’s clear conscience before God and men (Acts 23:1); should be taught as Spirit-illumined moral awareness before a personal God, not karma-based guilt-sensation.
Self Control
Approved rendering: ଆତ୍ମସଂଯମ
Transliteration: ātmasaṅyama
Doctrine: Justification Apart from the Law
NEW. Paul’s teaching before Felix (Acts 24:25); standard ethical vocabulary.
Hope
Approved rendering: ଆଶା
Transliteration: āśā
Doctrine: Conversion of Paul
NEW. The standing hope of Israel’s promise, fulfilled in the resurrection (26:6-7; 28:20); connects to the baseline’s ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞା (promise).
Low Risk Terms
Thanksgiving
Approved rendering: ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ ସ୍ତୁତି
Transliteration: dhanyabāda stuti
Doctrine: Thanksgiving
Inherited from Romans package. Standard term. Occurs at Acts 27:35, 28:15.
Fellowship
Approved rendering: ସହଭାଗିତା
Transliteration: sahabhāgitā
Doctrine: Christian Fellowship
Rejected alternatives: ମିତ୍ରତା
Inherited from Romans package. Shared participation in Christ, not mere social friendship; Acts 2:42.
Prophet
Approved rendering: ଭବିଷ୍ୟଦ୍ବକ୍ତା
Transliteration: bhabiṣyadbaktā
Doctrine: Inspiration of Scripture
Rejected alternatives: ଜ୍ୟୋତିଷୀ
Inherited from Romans package. Never ଜ୍ୟୋତିଷୀ. Invoked repeatedly as the source of fulfilled Scripture throughout Acts.
Prophecy
Approved rendering: ଭବିଷ୍ୟଦ୍ବାଣୀ
Transliteration: bhabiṣyadbāṇī
Doctrine: Fulfillment of Prophecy
Rejected alternatives: ଗଣନା
Inherited from Romans package. Fulfilled at Pentecost (2:16-18) and throughout Acts’ fulfillment citations.
Exhort
Approved rendering: ଉତ୍ସାହିତ କରିବା
Transliteration: utsāhita karibā
Doctrine: Mutual Edification
Inherited from Romans package. Context-sensitive: ନିବେଦନ for entreaty; ଉତ୍ସାହିତ କରିବା for encouragement (Acts 2:40; 11:23; 14:22; 15:32; 16:40; 20:1-2).
Angel
Approved rendering: ଦୂତ
Transliteration: dūta
Doctrine: Apostolic Authority and Miracles
NEW. Divine messenger active in guidance and deliverance (5:19; 8:26; 10:3; 12:7-11; 27:23); standard vocabulary, low collision risk, though translators should distinguish from ambiguous folk ‘divine messenger’ figures if raised by learners.
Medium-High Risk Terms
Tongues Of Fire
Approved rendering: ଅଗ୍ନି ପରି ଜିଭ
Transliteration: agni pari jiva
Doctrine: Holy Spirit and Pentecost
NEW. Fire imagery (Acts 2:3) risks merging with Odisha’s ritual fire offerings (havan/homa) or temple lamp-fire (arati) traditions; requires a translator note clarifying this is a one-time sign of personal indwelling, not a ritual offering-fire or worship-fire.
Pour Out The Spirit
Approved rendering: ଢାଳିବା
Transliteration: dhāḻibā
Doctrine: Holy Spirit and Pentecost
Rejected alternatives: abhisheka/ritual libation framing
NEW. Odisha’s ritual life includes prominent ceremonial pouring, most concretely Snana Yatra’s ritual bathing of Jagannath’s images with poured liquids; translator notes must distinguish God’s voluntary self-giving of his Spirit upon people (Acts 2:17-18) from liquid poured upon an image.
Testing The Spirit
Approved rendering: ପବିତ୍ର ଆତ୍ମାଙ୍କୁ ପରୀକ୍ଷା କରିବା
Transliteration: pabitra ātmāṅkū parīkṣā karibā
Doctrine: The Holy Spirit and Pentecost
NEW. Ananias and Sapphira’s deception, described as testing/tempting the Spirit of the Lord (Acts 5:9); reinforces the Spirit’s personal, knowing nature — not an impersonal force that can be deceived or manipulated, directly relevant to the baseline’s caution against ପରମାତ୍ମା.
Yoke Of The Law
Approved rendering: ଯୁଆଳି / ବନ୍ଧନ
Transliteration: juāḻi / bandhana
Doctrine: The Jerusalem Council and Gentile Freedom from the Law
NEW. Peter’s metaphor for the burden of law-keeping the Council refuses to impose on Gentile believers (Acts 15:10); doctrinally tied to Justification apart from the Law.
Nazirite Vow
Approved rendering: ମାନତ
Transliteration: mānata
Doctrine: Apostolic Authority and Miracles (cultural sensitivity)
NEW. The OT-law-based consecration vow Paul joins in completing for cultural sensitivity toward Jewish believers (21:23-26). ମାନତ is a very common Odia devotional term (vows made to Jagannath, fulfilled through offerings or temple visits, often in exchange for a hoped-for blessing); a translator note is required clarifying Paul’s participation is missionary cultural accommodation (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:20), not endorsement of vow-making as a merit-transaction with God.
Low-Medium Risk Terms
Shepherd
Approved rendering: ପାଳକ
Transliteration: pālaka
Doctrine: Church Leadership and Office
NEW. The pastoral metaphor for church leadership (20:28-29); natural, low-collision pastoral metaphor.
Citizenship
Approved rendering: ନାଗରିକତ୍ୱ
Transliteration: nāgarikatva
Doctrine: Christian Identity in Christ
NEW. Paul’s Roman legal citizenship, invoked for legal protection (16:37-38; 22:25-28); background for how Paul’s identity in Christ transcends, without erasing, his civic/social identity.
Unhindered
Approved rendering: ବିନା ବାଧାରେ
Transliteration: binā bādhāre
Doctrine: The Great Commission Fulfilled
NEW. The book’s final word — the gospel preached without obstruction even from Paul’s house-arrest in Rome (Acts 28:31); low lexical risk but high summarizing theological weight closing the book’s structural arc.
Referenced passages