At What Point Does a Non-Christian Become a Christian?

When does a person cease being a non-Christian and become a Christian? Is it possible to make a distinction between the two groups?

As important as this question may be, you will not get the same answer from all professed Christians. Some believe that one is saved and, therefore, a Christian at the point of faith. Others believe this happens after one says a “sinner’s prayer.” Still others think that one can simply be a good person and be considered a Christian on that basis.

First, let us look at the word of God and see what is not the dividing line between the Christian and the non-Christian.

• Believing in God is not the difference – After all, James wrote, “The demons also believe” (James 2:19). How many demons do you think are Christians? Furthermore, simply believing in Jesus and calling Him “Lord” is not the difference (cf. Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46).
• Being a good person is not the difference – Cornelius was “a devout man and one who feared God with all his household” (Acts 10:2). Yet he had to call for Peter in order to hear “words…by which [he would] be saved” (Acts 11:14).
• Being religious is not the difference – The Pharisees were very religious and prided themselves on their goodness. Yet Jesus said, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).

All of these things (belief, goodness, being religious) are good and necessary. But the reality is that many non-Christians believe, are good people, and are religious. If these characteristics do not divide the Christian from the non-Christian, then what does?

The line between the Christian and the non-Christian is the watery grave of baptism. Just as the water divided the living from the dead in the days of the flood (Genesis 7:21-23; 1 Peter 3:20), the waters of baptism divide the living and dead today. Peter used this parallel to make this point: “Baptism now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21).

Of course, baptism is not the only thing we need to do to be saved. We must believe in Jesus (John 8:24), be willing to confess that belief (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10), and repent of our sins before being baptized (Acts 2:38). Following baptism, we must continue to live a life of faithful obedience (Matthew 28:20; Revelation 2:10).

But baptism represents the line. We are “baptized into Christ” (Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3). Baptism is the point in which our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16). A penitent believer becomes a Christian when he is baptized.

Have you done this? Jesus is “to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9). Why not become a Christian and take advantage of the salvation He offers?