What's the difference in being a Christian, and a "born again" (a.k.a. 'Saved') Christian?

Question

Just curious as to how many out there actually understand the difference.
...There is one, you know?

While some may define "Christian" in a broader term as automatically meaning "born again" - I dissagree.

I know many who categorize themselves as Christians (simply because they believe JESUS was/is the Son of God and died on a cross and all that stuff), yet fail to acknowledge that "they are sinners in need of salvation"...(which is one's personal choice, btw)

A "born again" Christian is someone who:
- acknowledges their sin before God (i.e. admitts they're a sinner) ***Amazingly enough, some "Christians" feel they're better compared to others,etc...
- believes Jesus died for 'their' sins
- confesses their sin before God, and asks forgiveness. ( And ofcourse REPENTS!)


It all comes down to definitions, and understanding.

"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:22

-implying that action is needed on our part, to achieve salvation. we must first turn to God. We are not 'born' saved.

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:16

"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture." John 10:9

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved ---" Acts 16:31a

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9



---- "Saved" isn't a fundamentalist term. It's a Biblical term, and it's also not an automatic thing. We much choose to actively 'believe' (which requires action/response on our part)

P.S. Earl D - I think you responded to wrong question.... lol.(I didn't ask what God "hates.") Also, it seems like you might have issues. You might want to pray for guidance. You'll be in my prayers.

Answer 1

One knows about Jesus, the other knows Jesus.

One just goes to church, the other has had a heart change.

One trusts in good works, the other trusts the Savior's work.

Answer 2

By your definitions I am born again, but I never viewed myself as "leaving" so how do your rectify that!

Since age of 6 I was indoctrinated, possibly before.

I looked around at other things, but found nothing better.

But I do embrace your definition of "born again."

I'm like the Amish children who are sent out to see the "outside world" and then decide if they want to stay there or go back.

But I do face my own realities now and even when I was, say 14.

God and I do have a realtionship, but not always a peaceful one. I treat God no differently than my mother.

I respect, but I also question and butt heads with God.

Maybe not God, but my perception based upon MAN.

Does GOD really HATE homosexuals.

Is THAT a good GOD!

If God hates, then HATE is GOOD, right!

If God hates, then GOD can also hate BLACKS, MEXICANS, right.

Get my drift

Does GOD really hate heavens, infidels, muslims, mexicans, blacks, "queers", etc.

Does God HATE

Get my drift.

God teaches me and I learn

Jesus teaches me and I learn

WHERE does one draw the line in the sand.

IS there a line in the sand

Should WOMEN be SILENT in the CHURCH or do they have a voice

One thing I have decided is not to follow the teaching of Peter and Paul.

Now, how does THAT line in the sand grab you!

Or do you believe WOMEN should be silent, men who lay with men should be damned and no good christian should sit with a fornicator.

There IS no middle ground and if you THINK it applies to women, then it also applies to "queers" and fornicators.

An "exception" opens the doors to "exceptions."

Like it or not, a segue is a segue.

Are things LITERAL or do we have some latitude.

Like I said, I learn from Jesus. Not from Peter, not from Paul.

Answer 3

O.K.

Christian: according to the World--a Believer in Jesus who will go to Heaven cause he,she does good things.

Christian: according to Most of Jesus's Church--
one who has Accepted Jesus as their Saviour.

Christian: according to the Bible: a Born-Again person who has Renewed their Mind with the Word of GOD and is Walking in Holiness.

Probably left out a few, but, this'll do.

Ditto.............

Answer 4

I can't wait to hear this:)
Peace out.
ps. I am a Christian. When I die, I will be absent from the body and face to face with the Lord, in a place of no more sorrow, no more tears, no more pain, no more death. By grace are you saved through faith, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.
Jesus died as a substitue for me and every other "yahoo" on this site.

Answer 5

There shouldnt be a difference but unfortunately there are many people who call themselves christians just because they have gone to church their entire lives or say they believe in God. What truely makes a person saved is heart felt repentance, a literal understanding of how badly one has offended God and how much we deserve eternal hell. They calling up for Gods grace to save us from our sin, REPENT and then faith.

Answer 6

There isnt one....Christian translated from the greek was originally little christ or christ in me....Christ said himself to be a christian you had to be reborn...all christians are "born again"


I cant wait to hear what you believe the "difference " is....


all that writing for what? A christian is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ...you cant have that without being reborn in the spirit...whether you see it that way or not is really mute...the bible shows God sees it that way so your oppinion is pretty unimportant in this subject anyway. Salvation is automatic and unreversable...your idea is leaglistic and the very scriptures you quoted disprove it.

Answer 7

Someone who is not born again will simply say , "I belong to the church; I suppose I'm a Christian." Thousands of nominal Christians show none of the signs of being born again which the Scriptures have given us—many listed in the First Epistle of John.

Born again Christians practice:

No Habitual Sinning
First of all, John wrote: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin" (I John 3:9). "Whosoever is born of God sinneth not" (5:18).
Believing in Christ
Second, John wrote: "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (I John 5:1).
Practicing Righteousness
Third, John wrote: "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him" (I John 2:29).
Loving Other Christians
Fourth, John wrote: "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (I John 3:14).
Overcoming the World
Fifth, John wrote: "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world" (I John 5:4).
Keeping Oneself Pure
Sixth, John wrote: "He that is begotten of God keepeth himself' (I John 5:18).

Answer 8

I personally, don't believe that you say you ARE a Christian, unless you are Born gain. The eunich requested to be baptised, and the disciple asked,"Have you been converted?" So, repent FIRST, and then ask Jesus into your heart, and tell everyone you know Jesus is Lord. THEN you can say you are a CHRISTIAN!!

Answer 9

There is no difference. Being a Christian is, by definition, being born again. There are some denominations that make the definition of "born again" more specific with things that are not required Biblically. It appears that you are in that category. God bless you if you are. This is NOT an issue that is essential to work out.

Answer 10

When you were first born into this world, you were born with a natural body of flesh, the second birth is a new spirit. The first birth was from the world and the second birth is from God.

Answer 11

I didn't know that. I thought that being a Christian, believing in Christ, was the main thing. I was baptized as an infant, and so technically that makes me born again, but it is not as if I chose that action. I consider my confirmation when I was 13 my choice.