"Believer" vs. "Christian"

[GreenMunchkin]

Have seen an increasing number of people call us "believers" as opposed to Christians. Is there a difference? Does it have different connotations?

Am mui confused about it, to be honest. "Believer" sounds slightly, dunno, cultish somehow? But I know that it's a legitimate part of Christian language now. Would be interested in any thoughts Thank you.

 

[MrJim]

Probably a way to distinguish from nominal "Christians"~not anything new; there was a time in the US during some revivals where it was considered better to call one's self a "disciple"..

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Following my pastor's lead, I tend to call myself a Christ-follower more than anything else.

 

[Criada]

I would consider it an insult... satan is a believer...

James 219
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder

Being a Christian is a great deal more than the intellectual assent implied by 'believer'

 

[Nadiine]

Well the first Christians were called "The Way"... that sounds more cultish than "believers"...
I use believer sometimes depending on my post statements.

I don't mind believer but I prefer Christian much better.

It probly depends on who's using the word in which context before I take it negatively. But I don't think it should be used to take over the term Christian as if Christian is going to be obsolete.

 

[desmalia]

I use the two words somewhat interchangeably.

I know people who know the Bible very well and believe it to be true, and who believe God is real, BUT I would not call them believers because they are not Christians. (And that's not my judgment on them. They admit they're not Christians.)

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Hmm... I suppose, it almost feels a little like taking Christ out of it. Ya know? Anyone can be a believer; few are Christian.

I was just wondering whether it's something we're being conditioned to say as it's less "offensive"...

 

[Nadiine]

I refer to other Christians as believers... when I say that, in my mind it's just referring to those who are saved.

I think it depends on who's saying it in what context - if there's an agenda to purposely call someone other than a Christian.

There's people who claim Christ who refuse to call themselves Christians for different reasons as well. I find that a problem; more of a problem than a Christian referring to another as a believer.

Plus, we're called believer(s) in the Bible too:
Acts 5:14
And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

2 Corinthians 6:15
And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

1 Timothy 4:12
[ Take Heed to Your Ministry ] Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 6:2
And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

 

[Lisa0315]

It doesn't bother me although I do admit that GM has a good point. Satan and demons believe and tremble. I think the label is more about believer vs non-believer than anything though.

Lisa

 

[ReformedChapin]

The word Christian doesn't mean much now a days. Anyone label themselves that without being a true follower. People also use the term believer as christian, another term which also predict soon will be stolen by our liberal counterparts.

 

[GQ Chris]

The difference is how they live, doesn't matter if they profess to follow Christ, what matters is how they live. I come across people all the time that profess Christ but their life is total opposite, he is not Lord to them.

At the same time I am not trying to say I am any better, I too am a Sinner saved by Grace and I need forgiveness every day.

 

[Michael_]

I take the two terms as being synonymous.

Ac 11:26 "And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."

This was quite a while after Christ ascended to the Father. Did Paul and Barnabas give the name "Christian" by inspiration; or did the un-believing Gentiles in Antioch give them that name; or did the disciples there give themselves the name?

Does it matter?

The term "believer" connotes a much deeper meaning than to simply "acknowledge something to be so". To refer to James 2:19 in order to build a case against using the term "believer" is not a good verse to make the point! In context James is speaking about faith being seen by one's works. He it summing up the argument that "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" James 2:17, by pointing out that "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!" But, they (the demons) do not act on their belief in a way that saves; thus they believe, but are not believers... "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?"

To acknowledge something as being true means that you believe something; to put your faith in that truth makes you a believer.

I am a Christian and a Believer; which is a redundancy... like saying "Born-again Christian" the distinction is unnecessary.

Just my 2 cents, friends.

 

[ladyt28]

To me it seems that the world is just trying to take "Christ" out of just about anything it can find.

 

[Nadiine]

I am a Christian and a Believer; which is a redundancy... like saying "Born-again Christian" the distinction is unnecessary.

I think they're synonomous too, esp. when I found so many verses that directly use the term

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

I think they're synonomous too, esp. when I found so many verses that directly use the term

Yup! It seems like something from the Department of Redundancy Department.