Gregg F. Swift, J.D.Can you name the basic principles that the Bible states are necessary to be considered a Christian? Try it. Write down 5 things that the Bible provides as the definition a Christian. 99.99% of people won’t do it. That stems from an attitude of general complacency or lack of understanding not realizing that the growing Christian should want to increase his/her knowledge of the God’s Word, the Bible. In may cases, however, the failure to know these things, or even to have a desire to know them is based on a sense of arrogance, entitlement, and a general lack of humility. No one wants to be proven wrong, and no one wants to admit they do not know something. If you are not actively pursuing a greater understanding of the Bible you might want to reexamine your understanding of salvation, or what it means to be saved.
I have asked this question of people countless times and have only had one person with the sincerity and humility to say that they would like to try and answer the question. This person is a Christian doctor and was asked to name the 5 major biblical references to what a person must believe to be a Christian . While his responses were candid, somewhat on point, and significantly better that most people, he failed to mention a few key concepts to what being a Christian means.
The failure of new Christians not knowing the true biblical definition of a Christian falls squarely on those that, “led them to Christ.” If you don’t know the biblical definition of a Christian, how can you lead someone else to become a Christian. Should you share your faith in an attempt to lead others to salvation? Absolutely. But you must know your subject matter.
When asked the question, “what is the biblical definition of a Christian,” there are some common answers. While those answers are definitely part of what makes up a Christian, they are not the foundational principles that guarantee a person’s salvation.
Those responses include: a person who reads their Bible; a person who goes to church; a person who helps others; and the list goes on. Simply based on those responses, the Devil may qualify as a Christian. But he isn’t, and while those responses are important for Christian growth, they spectacularly fail to identify the 5 major Scriptures that speak what a biblical Christian truly is.
So, let’s take a look at the biblical definition of a Christian.
#1 Acts 2:38 Repentance
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent (Gr. metanoeo, #3340, to change one’s mind), and be baptized each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” —Acts 2:38 (GFS)
Two things to note here: the word repent means to change one’s mind; and the gift of the Holy Spirit takes place after you are baptized in water. There is one exception in the New Testament to the order of being baptized in water and then being baptized in the Holy Spirit. That is found in Acts 10:24-48. You see, Gentiles were not allowed for about seven years to be part of the Church that started on Pentecost in Acts 2. Gentiles did not begin to be part of the Church until Acts 10 when Cornelius the Centurion was baptized in the Holy Spirit first and then in water. This second outpouring of the Holy Spirit was for Gentiles. The reference in Acts 10 occurred between 7-10 years after the Holy Spirit fell on the Apostles in Acts 2.
#2 Romans 10:9-10 Confess With Your Mouth That Jesus is Lord
NOTE: There are two parts (definitions) to this Scripture reference. Accordingly, while the Scripture reference is repeated twice, each distinguishing reference will be noted separately.
“That is you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made for salvation.” —Romans 10:9-10 (GFS)
Confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord is a critical component for the biblical definition of a Christian.
#3 Romans 19:9-10 Believe in Your Heart That God Raised Jesus From the Dead
“That is you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made for salvation.” —Romans 10:9-10 (GFS)
The next two requirements to being saved are most often overlooked, water baptism by submersion, and doing the will of the Father.
#4 Mark 16:16 He That Believes and is Baptized shall be saved
“He that believes and is baptized (Gr. baptizo, #907, to dip repeatedly, to immerse, submerge) shall be saved; but he that does not believed shall be condemned. —Mark 16:16 (GFS)
This is where the ceremony of baptism by the Catholic Church fails. It is generally for infants. It is not a submersion, but a sprinkling. And, babies, or infants, have no capacity to believe in Jesus. Aside from the Catholic Church stating that salvation in the Catholic world comes from following the teachings of the Catholic faith, which are not biblical, their failure to follow one of the requirement for salvation specifically mentioned by Jesus, does not bode will for Catholics who believe they are biblical Christians.
#5 Matthew 7:21-23 Doing the Will of the Father
This last component is perhaps the most frightening as it is a warning to those who think they are Christians, and ultimately are not. On the day they are judged they will plead with the Lord only to hear the Lord say, “I never knew you.”
“Not everyone that says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of My Father who is in Heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and in Your name cast out devils, and in Your name done many wonderful works? 23 And then I will profess to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me you that work iniquity (Gr. anomia, #458, the condition of without law, because of ignorance of it, or violation it)'”. —Matthew 7:21-23 (GFS)
When asking people for the biblical definition of a Christian it is important to note their response. A person in this situation typically attempts to answer the question and says a number of things that may be important, but they do not clearly articulate all, some, or any, of the actual biblical requirements. The interesting point here is that once a person offers their definition of a Christian in which they fail to provide the actual requirements, and you begin giving them the actual biblical definition, they quickly agree with you, often saying, that is what they meant. If you can’t articulate the correct biblical definition, that means you don’t know it.
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” —Matthew 12:34 (GFS)
Not knowing the actual biblical definition of a Christian does not necessarily mean that you are not a Christian. You might not have gotten the correct, or all of the information needed to make an informed decision. A child who believes and accepts Jesus just might be too young to understand the requirements. But an adult should be constantly seeking and trying to grow in the knowledge and study of the Bible, or God’s Word. Don’t be one of those whom the Lord says on Judgment Day, “I never knew you.”
Following the above requirements isn’t really that difficult. It starts with reading your Bible, something almost everyone can do. Supplement that with prayer and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and you cannot fail. God has never failed anyone yet.
