Vol. 8 No. 1 Sept. 2010

Are All Believers Christians?

Mike Johnson

Are all believers Christians?  The Bible answer to this question is “No.”  The Bible teaches that to become a Christian, takes more than simply being a believer.

John 12:42-43 actually speaks of unsaved believers.  It says, “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:  For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”  Although they were believers, these rulers were not saved.

Consider James 2:17.  In writing about the relationship between faith and works, James says, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”  In verse 17 he said, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone,” and then in verse 24 James pointed out, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”  A person who has “faith only” has a faith that is no greater than the devils or demons have. Obviously, the demons are not saved, so neither will the person be saved who has faith only.

It is not enough to mentally consent to the fact that Christ is the son of God.  Besides being a believer (Jn. 3:16), one must also repent (Acts 2:38), confess Christ (Rom. 10:10), and be baptized (Acts 2:38, Mk. 16:16).  It takes more than “faith only” to be saved!