This question is extremely important. Which quality or qualifications qualify a person to be an authentic Christian?
Would one or more of the following perhaps qualify us if we can say:
- I am from Christian parentage and was christened as an infant. Or
- I attended Sunday School as a juvenile until I was a young adult. Or
- I decide what is good and best for me and then do it. I am doing my best. Or
- I carry a membership certificate from a Christian church and attend meetings. Or
- I am an active member of a Christian church and I consistently attend the services. Or
- I am a honest and upright person, I pay my accounts and owe nobody. Or
- I do good deeds, give alms and serve in charity organizations. Or
- I keep the commandments and I do not abuse drugs/alcohol. Or
- I am a good caring parent, setting an excellent example. Or
- I was baptized as an adult. Or
- I have the gift of speaking in ‘Tongues’. Or
- I regularly attend Mass do Confession and Penance. Or
- I have a clear conscience. I’ve wronged nobody. Or
- I am an appointed Leader in my church. Or
- I am respected by my peers, colleagues, neighbors and friends. Or
- I once “went forward” on a gospel call and signed a commitment card. Or
- I feel comfortable about myself and about this. Or
- I believe. I believe there is a good God. Or
- I am sincere about my religion. Or
- Man, I am spiritual. I do my wee bit to get to heaven.
While some of the above may be good and well in their appropriate settings, non of them per se
or in combination qualifies a person to be a bona fide Christian. (It could perhaps indicate that you are serious about religion.)
There is a real and significant danger that we may base our trust on some of the above qualities or on similar ones, and that’
would constitute a fatal misconception with very serious consequences.
Jesus Christ declared that there is only one way to become a Christian. He said; “You must be born again.” John 3:3
Jesus Christ said to Nicodemus, a leading Theologian; “You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born
again.'” John 3:7(NIV) The only way for a human being to become a Christian is through a specific
birth-process. That is why we say that someone is a ‘born-again Christian’ to indicate that he/she is not merely
religious but that he/she had a life-changing encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, and that he/she lives
in a personal ‘one-on-one’ relationship with Jesus Christ his/her Saviour.

Who then is a Christian? A Christian is exclusively one who “accepted” the Lord Jesus Christ on His
terms and who believes in Him, resulting in her/him to be “born again.” The Bible explains it this way;
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn!
This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan -- this rebirth comes from God.”
John 1:12-13 (NLT)
This information inevitably leaves us with three vital questions:
- What does it mean to be "born again"? (What is the meaning of the term?)
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- Why is it necessary to be “born again” in order to be a Christian?
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- How do I know if I am "born again?"
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* NLT = New Living Translation (2004). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
* NIV = New International Version (1978). New York International Bible Society.
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