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Who is a Christian?

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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:

  1. I am from Christian parentage and was christened as an infant. Or
  2. I attended Sunday School as a juvenile until I was a young adult. Or
  3. I decide what is good and best for me and then do it. I am doing my best. Or
  4. I carry a membership certificate from a Christian church and attend meetings.  Or
  5. I am an active member of a Christian church and I consistently attend the services. Or
  6. I am a honest and upright person, I pay my accounts and owe nobody.  Or
  7. I do good deeds, give alms and serve in charity organizations.  Or
  8. I keep the commandments and I do not abuse drugs/alcohol.  Or
  9. I am a good caring parent, setting an excellent example.  Or
  10. I was baptized as an adult.  Or
  11. I have the gift of speaking in ‘Tongues’.  Or
  12. I regularly attend Mass do Confession and Penance. Or
  13. I have a clear conscience. I’ve wronged nobody. Or
  14. I am an appointed Leader in my church. Or
  15. I am respected by my peers, colleagues, neighbors and friends. Or
  16. I once “went forward” on a gospel call and signed a commitment card. Or
  17. I feel comfortable about myself and about this. Or
  18. I believe. I believe there is a good God. Or
  19. I am sincere about my religion. Or
  20. 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?)
  • Why is it necessary to be “born again” in order to be a Christian?
  • How do I know if I am "born again?"

* NLT = New Living Translation (2004). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
* NIV = New International Version (1978). New York International Bible Society.

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