An effect of his work which Luther had not foreseen was the rise of a church that was destined to bear his name. Such terms as "Lutheran," "Lutheranism," and "Lutheran church" were beginning to be used in Luther's time, but with an altogether different meaning from the one which they convey at present. In our day these words in the common speech of the people do not convey a reproach, or are meant as opprobrious terms in very rare instances. In Luther's days it was different; the terms had originated with the Catholic party and were used as terms of dishonor wherever the Roman Catholic church was confronted with the task of suppressing the new evangelical teachings. In the mouth of Catholics in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, and England "Lutheran" was equivalent to "heretic." In Roman Catholic circles the term has that meaning still, while in the world at large it has come to signify a religious party, a denomination, or a sect.