What Is A Born Again Christian?

Jan 5

I keep hearing this phrase, “Born Again Christian”. Like there are different classes of Christians. Christian vs Born Again Christian, what's the Difference? Let’s dive into God’s Word and find out.

But before I forget. I wanted to let you know about our free Chronological Bible Reading Schedule. It arranges Scripture in the order events actually happened, helping you see God's plan unfold step by step. You can just click this link to get started today!

Alright, so what is up with this Born Again Christian stuff? Before we look at what the Bible says about Christian vs Born Again Christian, I want us to think about how the term is being used today.

People use the term Born Again Christian to make a distinction between nominal Christians and true Christians. Meaning that some people just claim to be Christians. Maybe they filled out a census form and checked “Christian” as their religion but never go to church, read the Bible or share the gospel with others.
Some are Catholic Christians but not Born Again Christians.
Some are culturally Christians but have no real faith and therefore they are not Born Again Christians.

The term “Born Again Christian” assumes that there are Christians who are not Born Again.

Is That What the Bible Teaches?

Let's start off by looking at what Jesus said about being born again. This is found in John 3:1-7.

“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’” (John 3:1–2 | NKJV)

Jesus doesn't acknowledge the compliment but just gets right to the point.

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:3 | NKJV)

Okay, this is interesting. Jesus is seeming to make seeing the kingdom of God conditional when he said “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” This confuses Nicodemus and he says,

“Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:4-5 | NKJV)

Okay, there is a little bit more information here. Being born again has to do with being born of water and the Spirit and its conditions. He said unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Here we learn:

Being born again is synonymous with being born of water and the Spirit.
Seeing the kingdom of God is synonymous with entering the kingdom of God.

Jesus drives the point further home by saying:

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:6–7 | NKJV).

This is not optional. If you want to see or enter the Kingdom of God You must be born again.

What is a Christian According to the Bible?

You might be surprised that the term “Christian” is only found in the Bible 3 times.

#1. The first time is in Acts 11:26 where the Bible says:

“The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26 | NKJV)

This was many years after Jesus had ascended back to heaven and the church had already grown dramatically.

#2. Later, in Acts when Paul was recounting his conversion and proclaiming Christ to King Agrippa:

“The King said to Paul: ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian.’” (Acts 26:28 | NKJV)

#3. Then finally, Peter writes:

“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” (1 Peter 4:16 | NKJV)

That is it! That is all there is. But, that is 100% sufficient for us to know without a doubt what a Christian is, according to God.

God says:

The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (Acts 11:26 | NKJV)
A Christian is a disciple of Christ.

What is a Disciple and How do You Become One?

Once again the Bible has the answer.

Let’s start by looking up the word in a Greek dictionary and see if that sheds any light on it.

The Greek word for ‘disciple’ is μαθητής [mathētēs]

“One who engages in learning through instruction from another, pupil, apprentice.” (BDAG)
Okay, so a disciple of Christ is a pupil or apprentice of Christ.

How Do You Become a Disciple of Christ?

Well, let's look at what Jesus Himself said in the Great Commission. This is after Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. He has established His New Covenant and is about to return to heaven in what is called the Ascension. These are some of Christ's final words He said on earth. This is what He said to His apostles who He was leaving behind to carry on His work.

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Amen. (Matthew 28:18–20 | NKJV)

Did you catch it? Jesus said that they were to “make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”

The verb “make disciples” is in the imperative mood meaning it is a command and the participles “baptizing” and “teaching” tells us how it is to be done. So, a person is made a “disciple” (in this specialized use of the term) by being baptized into a relationship with God and being taught His word.

So there we have it!

A Christian is a disciple and a disciple is someone who has been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and has been taught to follow Christ’s teachings.

However, in the Gospels we find other qualifications for being a disciple or a Christian.

For example:

John 8:32 ESV “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Luke 14:27 ESV ”Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:33 ESV “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”
John 13:35 ESV “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 15:8 ESV “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

So then, one becomes a disciple or a Christian by being baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and being taught to observe all things that Christ has commanded.

We then prove we are disciples by the way we follow those commands.

So back to our original question: What is a Born Again Christian? and Christian vs Born Again Christian? What's the difference?

The Term “Born Again Christian” is Not in the Bible

Either you are a Christian or you are not a Christian. If you are a Christian then you are born again if you are born again you are a Christian.

You can’t be a Christian and not be born again. You can claim to be a Christian and not be born again but claiming to be a Christian does not make you a Christian.

Just like an illegal alien claiming to be a US citizen doesn't make him a US citizen. There is a process that he must go through to become a US citizen and will remain an alien until he completes that process.

It doesn't matter how much he loves America.

It doesn't matter how strongly he believes he is a US citizen.
It doesn't matter that he plays baseball and bakes apple pies.
He remains an alien until he becomes a citizen through the established process.

The same is true for Christians:

It doesn't matter how many times someone claims to be a Christian or how many times he goes to church.
It does not matter if you love God and say the sinner's prayer.
It doesn't matter how much you have tithed or how many good deeds you do.

You will remain a non-Christian and not born again until you complete the process Jesus Himself established. That is to be baptized and taught to obey all that He commanded. Matthew 28:18-20.