Definition of a Christian

I think people use the term Christian too loosely. Can you give me a short, easy-to-understand definition?

ANSWER:

What is a Christian?

Here is our understanding of the term Christian:

A Christian is anyone — man, woman, or child — who trusts Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and strives to follow Him in every area of life.

As an evangelical organization, we stress the importance of an individual’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe this relationship is lived out through prayer, Bible study, Christian fellowship, and serving others in Jesus’ name.

Expressing Christian faith in community with other believers is important. In fact, a person’s public profession of faith can be a sign of an inner heart change (see Romans 10:9-10).

But overall, faith is not about church membership or doctrinal orientation. Instead, it’s an individual decision and commitment, as these Bible passages explain:

• “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13; Joel 2:32).

• “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12).

• “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:17-18).

What does it mean to be a Christian?

Only God can recognize a true Christian from a pretender (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Corinthians 4:5). However, we do know that a true Christian loves others and obeys God’s Word. The Bible says:

• “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

• “Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling” (John 2:10).

• ^“Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).

Also, we believe core common Christian truths exist among believers from different church backgrounds. So, as an interdenominational ministry, we follow this principle: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity” (attributed to several theologians).

In addition, our definition of a Christian considers the historic Council of Chalcedon and the Council of Nicaea (which adopted the Nicene Creed). These councils defined essential theological concepts about the Trinitarian nature of God and the hypostatic union (the coexistence of Jesus Christ’s divine and human natures). Holding to these biblical principles is a benchmark of whether any religious teachings or expressions are truly “Christian.”

Learn more about what Christianity is and isn’t

If you have questions about your own spiritual journey or want to explain God’s love to someone else, you can download our free booklet Coming Home: An Invitation to Join God’s Family. (You can also order free hard copies through our online store.)

And if you’d like to talk more about these ideas, you can call our professional and pastoral counselors for a free consultation at 1-855-771-HELP (4357). In the meantime, we encourage you to dig into the resources listed below.