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Dutch What Is a Christian? A Journey to the Heart of Our Faith
In the quiet moments of our lives, perhaps during a morning prayer or in the stillness of a difficult night, a fundamental question can surface in our hearts: What does it truly mean to be a Christian? For those of us who walk this path of faith, this question isn’t a search for a dictionary definition. It is a heartfelt desire to reconnect with the very core of our identity, to understand more deeply who we are in the eyes of God. It is a journey back to the beginning, to the very heart of our hope.
This journey takes us back nearly two thousand years to a bustling city called Antioch. It was there that something so remarkable was happening, something so new, that the world needed a new word to describe it.¹ The followers of Jesus lived with such a distinct love and commitment that those watching from the outside began to call them
Christians.³ This name, which literally means “followers of Christ,” may have started as an insult, a way to label this strange new group.¹ But the believers embraced it as a “badge of honor,” a beautiful testament to the one they followed.³ Their faith was not a private, internal feeling; it was so visible and life-altering that it could not be ignored.
This article is an invitation to rediscover the powerful and beautiful answer to that question. Being a Christian is not about belonging to a certain culture, political party, or family heritage.⁴ It is not about following a list of rules or simply being a “good person.” It is about a living, breathing, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship that has the power to change everything.
What Does It Truly Mean to Be a “Follower of Christ”?
At its very heart, the identity of a Christian is wrapped up in the person of Jesus Christ. The name itself tells the whole story. The word “Christ” comes from the Greek word Christos, which means “Anointed One.” This was the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah,” the long-awaited Savior promised by God.¹ Therefore, a “Christian” is simply and profoundly a follower of the Anointed One, Jesus.¹ This name anchors our identity not in a philosophy or a set of rules, but in a person.
A Relationship, Not Just a Religion
To be a Christian is to be in a personal relationship with Jesus. It means trusting Him as your Savior, the one who rescues you, and following Him as your Lord, the one who guides your life.⁵ This relationship is not something you are born into or can inherit from your family. It is a deeply personal decision, a commitment that flows from a “conversion of the heart”.⁴ As one person seeking faith expressed it, you simply “start with Christ from exactly where you are now”.⁶
Following Jesus is more than just agreeing with His teachings. It is a life of devotion where He holds a place of “unique significance”.¹ It is a life where you come to see Jesus as “infinitely more valuable than earthly suffering,” choosing to follow Him no matter the cost.⁴ This relationship leads to a genuinely transformed life, a life where you have “gone ‘all in’ on Jesus”.⁴ In the words of one believer, being a Christian is beautifully simple and inclusive: it means being “a disciple or follower of Christ”.⁷
What Are the Core Beliefs That Unite Us as Christians?
Although the family of God is vast and diverse, we are held together by a beautiful story of shared beliefs. These are not meant to be a checklist for entry into heaven, but are the life-giving truths that form the bedrock of our common faith and hope. Across different denominations and cultures, these essentials unite us as one body in Christ.⁵ Early in the church’s history, leaders met in councils, like the Council of Nicaea, to prayerfully articulate these core truths in statements like the Nicene Creed, which has served as a benchmark of Christian faith for centuries.⁵
The One True God
At the center of our faith is the belief in one God, the loving Creator and Sustainer of the universe.¹⁰ We believe this one God exists in three distinct but equal persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. This beautiful mystery is known as the Trinity.⁸
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
Jesus is the heart of Christianity. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who is both fully God and fully human.¹¹ He is the Messiah, the Savior promised by God in the Old Testament.⁸
This leads to the central message of our faith, the gospel, which means “good news”.² The gospel is the story of God’s incredible love for us:
- Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life.
- He willingly died on a cross, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins and save us from eternal separation from God.²
- Three days later, God raised Him from the dead, proving His victory over sin and death.²
This sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection are the foundation of our salvation and our hope.¹¹
The Inspired Word of God
Christians believe that the Holy Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God.¹⁰ It is not merely a collection of ancient stories, but is God’s divine revelation to humanity.¹³ We believe it contains all we need to know for salvation and is our trustworthy guide for how to live a life that pleases God.¹⁴
Our Future Hope
Our faith is not just about the past and present; it is anchored in a glorious future. We believe that Jesus will one day return to the earth, that there will be a final judgment, and that all who have put their faith in Him will receive the gift of eternal life in God’s presence.²
How Does Someone Begin This Journey of Faith?
Becoming a Christian is the most important decision a person can ever make, but it is not a complicated process. It is not about earning your way to God, but about responding to His loving invitation. The journey begins with God’s incredible grace and is met by our simple, heartfelt faith.
A Divine Invitation of Love
The first step on the path to faith is realizing that you are deeply and unconditionally loved by God.¹⁶ The Bible’s most famous verse tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).¹⁷ This journey does not begin with our search for God, but with His loving search for us. Some Christian traditions beautifully emphasize that God sovereignly chooses and calls people to Himself, highlighting that our salvation begins entirely with His grace.⁴ He reaches out to us first.
An Honest Acknowledgment of Our Need
To fully appreciate good news, we must first understand the bad news. The Bible is honest about the human condition: we have all sinned, meaning we have all fallen short of God’s perfect standard.¹⁶ This sin creates a separation between us and a holy God. The Bible calls us to
repent, which is more than just feeling sorry for our mistakes. The original word means to “change your mind” or to “turn around”.¹⁶ It is a conscious decision to turn away from a life of sin and self-centeredness and to turn toward God.⁶
A Step of Trusting Faith
This turning toward God is accomplished through faith. Faith is not just believing certain facts about Jesus; it is placing your personal trust in Him and what He has done for you.⁹ It is believing in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for your specific sins, that God raised Him from the dead, and then committing your life to follow Him as your Lord and Savior.⁹
The Apostle Paul makes this beautifully clear: “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).¹⁷ This step of faith can be expressed through a simple, honest prayer from the heart. Many have found their way to Christ by praying something like this:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I repent of my sins, I know that you are the Son of God and died for my sins. Please come into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. Amen.” 9
The Miracle of a New Life
When a person takes this step of repentance and faith, a miracle happens. The Bible calls this being “born again”.²⁰ In that moment, your sins are forgiven, you are adopted into God’s family as His beloved child, and you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who comes to live within you to guide and empower you.²⁰ This is not the end of the journey, but the beautiful beginning of a new, lifelong adventure of growing in your relationship with God.¹⁹
How, Then, Should a Christian Live?
Becoming a Christian is the start of a beautiful transformation. The Christian life is not about achieving perfection, but about a daily walk of faith, empowered by God’s Spirit and motivated by a deep love for the One who saved us. It is a journey of becoming more like Jesus day by day.
A Life Motivated by Love
The engine of the Christian life is love. When asked to summarize all of God’s laws, Jesus gave two simple commands: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.²² This love becomes the “ruling principle” of a believer’s life.²³ In fact, Jesus said this is how the world will know we are His followers: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).⁵
A Walk of Daily Faith
The Christian life is lived by the same faith that started it. It is a daily choice to trust God. This involves what the Bible calls “death to self”—the moment-by-moment decision to set aside our own selfish desires, ambitions, and pride, and instead seek to live for Christ.²⁴ As the Apostle Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).²⁴
This is not something we do in our own strength. The wonderful truth is that the same God who saved us also empowers us to live for Him. We are called to strive and make an effort, but we do so with the confidence that it is God Himself who is working within us through His Holy Spirit.²³
Practices That Nurture Our Souls
To help us grow, God has given us beautiful gifts and practices:
- The Bible: God’s Word is our spiritual food. Reading it daily gives us the comfort, guidance, correction, and encouragement we need to navigate life.²³ It transforms our thinking and helps us understand God’s heart.¹⁴
- Prayer: Prayer is simply having a conversation with God. It is a precious opportunity to share our hearts with Him, to seek His wisdom, and to build a more intimate relationship.²³
- The Holy Spirit: When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us. He is our constant Helper and Guide. He gives us the strength to overcome temptation and produces His beautiful “fruit” in our lives, such as love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness.²⁰
- Church Community: We were not meant to live the Christian life alone. Being part of a local church provides a spiritual family for encouragement, accountability, and worshipping God together.¹⁰ It is in fellowship with other believers that our faith is strengthened and we are equipped to serve others.²³
We Are One Body, But Many Parts: How Do We Understand Different Denominations?
One of the beautiful realities of Christianity is that it is a global, historical faith. When you become a Christian, you join a family of billions of believers that spans every continent and stretches back two millennia. Within this vast family, But there are different groups known as denominations. This diversity can sometimes be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be a source of division. At their core, these different expressions of faith are all part of the one body of Christ.²⁶
Denominations are distinct branches within Christianity that have formed over centuries due to differences in things like worship style leadership, and the interpretation of certain doctrines.²⁶ Although these differences are real, most Christian denominations recognize one another as fellow believers in Jesus, united by a shared faith in the essential truths of the gospel and a common baptism.²⁶
The three major historical branches of Christianity are Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism, from which most modern denominations have emerged.² The following table offers a simple overview of some of these traditions to help foster understanding and appreciation for the rich diversity within our shared faith.
| Tradition | Primary Authority | View of Salvation | Sacraments/Ordinances | Church Governance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Catholic | Scripture and Sacred Tradition, interpreted by the Magisterium (the teaching office of the Church).29 | Justification by God’s grace through faith, which is expressed in a life of faith and meritorious good works. It is a process involving participation in the sacraments.31 | Seven sacraments are celebrated, including Baptism, Eucharist (believed to be the real presence of Christ through transubstantiation), and Confirmation.29 | Hierarchical structure led by the Pope (the Bishop of Rome), who is followed by bishops and priests. Apostolic succession is a central belief.27 |
| Eastern Orthodox | Scripture and Sacred Tradition, as defined by the first seven Ecumenical Councils.32 | A lifelong process of theosis (deification or union with God), achieved through faith, love, and active participation in the life and Mysteries (sacraments) of the Church.28 | Seven major sacraments, referred to as Mysteries, including Baptism and the Holy Eucharist.32 | Episcopal and synodal. It is a communion of self-governing (autocephalous) churches, with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople recognized as the “first among equals”.33 |
| Baptist | Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura). Great emphasis is placed on the autonomy of the local church.21 | Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It requires a personal conversion experience and a public profession of that faith.18 | Two ordinances are practiced: Believer’s Baptism (by full immersion) and the Lord’s Supper, which is typically viewed as symbolic.36 | Congregational. Each local church is autonomous and governs its own affairs.36 |
| Methodist | Scripture is the primary authority, interpreted through the lenses of tradition, reason, and experience (known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral).38 | God’s grace is available to all people (prevenient grace). Salvation is by faith, which then leads to a life of personal and social holiness (sanctification).38 | Two sacraments are recognized: Baptism (for infants and adults) and Holy Communion, which is typically open to all who seek Christ (open table).39 | Connectional. Local churches are linked together in a system of regional and national conferences, led by bishops.39 |
| Lutheran | Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura), with the Book of Concord serving as a faithful explanation of Scripture.42 | Justification is by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, on account of Christ’s work alone (Sola Fide, Sola Gratia).31 | Two sacraments are practiced: Baptism (for infants and adults) and Holy Communion, in which Christ is believed to be truly present.42 | Church governance varies, but it often involves a combination of congregational and synodical (or episcopal) structures.46 |
| Pentecostal | Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura) is the ultimate authority.47 | Salvation is by grace through faith alone. There is a strong emphasis on a subsequent experience called the Baptism in the Holy Spirit for empowerment.48 | Two ordinances are practiced: Believer’s Baptism (by immersion) and the Lord’s Supper. There is a strong emphasis on the active presence of spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues and divine healing.48 | Governance is generally congregational, though churches are often organized into cooperative fellowships or councils for missions and ministry.51 |
What is the Catholic Church’s Understanding of a Christian?
To understand the Catholic perspective on what it means to be a Christian, we turn to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which provides an authoritative summary of its beliefs.⁵² The Catholic Church holds a beautiful and layered view that affirms a deep, foundational unity among all believers while also maintaining its unique identity.
The primary gateway into the Christian life is the sacrament of Baptism. The Catechism teaches that any person who has been validly baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is “incorporated into Christ” and has a genuine “right to be called Christian”.⁵⁴ Through Baptism, they become children of God and are welcomed into His family.⁵⁶ The Catholic Church accepts these individuals “with respect and affection as brothers” in the Lord.⁵⁴
While Baptism creates this fundamental bond, the Catholic Church teaches that the “sole Church of Christ… Subsists in the Catholic Church”.⁵⁵ This means that while elements of truth and holiness exist in other Christian communities, the fullness of the means of salvation—including the completeness of faith, the seven sacraments, and the leadership of the apostles’ successors—is found within the Catholic governed by the Pope and the bishops in communion with him.³⁰
This perspective allows the Church to hold two truths in harmony. On one hand, it maintains that the Catholic Church is the visible, historical institution founded by Christ. On the other hand, it generously acknowledges that God’s Spirit is at work in other Christian churches and communities. The Catechism states that many “elements of sanctification and of truth,” such as the Bible, a life of grace, and the virtues of faith, hope, and charity, exist outside the visible boundaries of the Catholic Church.⁵⁴ The Holy Spirit uses these communities as means of salvation for their members, creating a real, though imperfect, communion that binds all Christians together in Christ.
Is It Okay to Have Doubts and Struggles in My Faith?
If you have ever felt the pang of doubt or the weight of spiritual struggle, please hear this with all the warmth and love of a brother or sister in Christ: you are not alone, and it is absolutely okay. A faith that is never tested is a faith that cannot grow. Doubts and struggles are not a sign that your faith is failing; often, they are a sign that your faith is real and active, wrestling with the deep and powerful mysteries of God.⁵⁷
The pages of the Bible are filled with stories of spiritual giants who had moments of powerful doubt. John the Baptist, the powerful prophet who announced Jesus’s coming, sent a message from prison asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3).⁵⁸ Peter, one of Jesus’s closest sank beneath the waves when his doubt became greater than his faith (Matthew 14:31).⁵⁸ Thomas famously declared he would not believe in the resurrection until he could see and touch Jesus’s wounds (John 20:25).⁵⁸ Their struggles are recorded in Scripture to give us comfort and courage.
It is vital to understand the difference between doubt and unbelief. Doubt is a struggle within faith. It asks questions, wrestles with uncertainty, and seeks answers. Unbelief, But is a settled choice against faith, a refusal to believe despite the evidence of God’s love.⁵⁹ God is not afraid of your questions. He invites you to bring your honest doubts to Him.
Christians often face common struggles:
- Guilt over past sins: We all carry regrets. But the glorious truth of the gospel is that in Christ, we are completely forgiven. As Romans 8:1 declares, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”.⁶⁰
- Anxiety about the future: It is easy to become overwhelmed by worry. But our faith calls us to trust in a God who holds our future and promises to care for us.⁵⁷
- The pain of suffering: The question of why a good God allows suffering is perhaps the deepest struggle of all. The Bible does not offer easy answers, but it points us to the Cross. There, we see a God who does not remain distant from our pain but enters into it, suffering with us and for us.⁶¹
- Feeling that God is silent: There are seasons of spiritual dryness when God can feel distant. In these moments, we are called to persevere in faith, trusting that even when we cannot feel Him, He has not left us.⁶¹
These trials are not meant to break us, but to build us. God uses them to purify our faith, to strip away our self-reliance, and to draw us into a deeper dependence on Him.⁵⁷ One young man, who grew up in poverty so severe he had to search for food in school trash cans, later looked back and saw how God used those trials to shape his character and give him a heart of compassion.⁶² A woman who lost her mother to cancer wrestled with God for years, but through her pain, He taught her the true meaning of joy—a deep contentment in His plan that can exist even alongside tears.⁶³ In our weakness, His strength is made perfect.
What Are the Deep Joys and Blessings of This Life in Christ?
The Christian life is not only a journey of struggle and perseverance; it is also a life filled with powerful, unshakable joy and countless blessings. This joy is not the same as worldly happiness, which depends on our circumstances. Christian joy is a deep, resilient gladness that is rooted in the unchanging truth of who God is and what He has done for us.⁶³
The Joy of Complete Forgiveness
The first and most fundamental joy is the incredible relief of knowing that our sins are completely forgiven. Because of Jesus’s sacrifice, there is no longer a barrier of guilt and shame separating us from a holy God.⁶⁵ We can live with a clear conscience, adopted as beloved children into God’s family.
The Blessing of Inner Peace
Jesus promised His followers a special kind of peace, saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (John 14:27). This is more than just the absence of conflict; it is a deep sense of wholeness and well-being, a “shalom” that comes from being right with God.⁶⁶ This is a peace that can guard our hearts and minds even in the middle of life’s storms.⁶⁷
A Life of Purpose and Meaning
Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).⁶⁸ A life in Christ is a life filled with purpose. We are invited to be part of God’s great redemptive work in the world, serving as His “ambassadors”.⁶⁸ This gives our lives a meaning that goes far beyond our own temporary happiness. It is a beautiful life because it is a life of love, obedience, and service to others.⁶⁹
A Personal Relationship with the Creator
What could be more amazing than having a personal relationship with the God of the universe? We have the incredible privilege of being able to talk to Him at any time through prayer, knowing that He hears us.⁷¹ We can open the Bible and read His words, not as an ancient text, but as a love letter written to our hearts.⁷¹ And we have the constant comfort of knowing we are never truly alone, because His Holy Spirit lives within us to guide, comfort, and strengthen us.²⁰ One believer described this experience as being overcome with a “warming sense of love” that has been with them every minute of every day since.⁷²
An Unshakeable Hope for the Future
Finally, our lives are anchored by a “blessed hope”.⁷³ We have the confident assurance that this life is not all there is. We look forward to the return of Christ and the promise of spending eternity with Him in a place where there will be no more sorrow, pain, or tears.⁶⁸ This eternal hope gives us the strength to face the challenges of today and the courage to live with joy, no matter what comes our way.
Living as a People of Hope
To be a Christian is to be part of the most beautiful story ever told. It is the story of a loving God who created us, a rebellious humanity that turned away, and a merciful Savior who came to bring us back home. At its core, a Christian is someone who has heard this story and has responded with their whole heart, entrusting their life and their eternity into the hands of Jesus Christ.
It is a journey that begins with a single step of faith but continues for a lifetime. It is a walk marked by both breathtaking joys and seasons of real struggle, but it is a walk we never take alone. We are chosen, redeemed, forgiven, and deeply loved by God. This is our true identity. May we rest in that identity, live boldly in that love, and share the light of that hope with a world that desperately needs it.
