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Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2; ESV)

Are the words “believer” and “Christian” synonymous?  We interchange these nouns all the time, don’t we?  The English translation of the word “believe” appears in the Bible almost 300 times.  The word “believer” appears twice – once in the Book of Acts (5:14: “And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women…” ESV); and once in the Book of 1st Timothy (4:12: “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith in purity.”).  The title of “Christian” appears in the Bible three times (see Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; and 1 Peter 4:16).

Now you may be saying to yourself: “You’re splitting hairs. To be a ‘believer’ is the same thing as being a “Christian”, isn't it?  Just because the term “believer” is only used twice in the Bible doesn’t mean that I’m not one.  Besides, the word ‘believed’ is used dozens of times to describe someone’s faith.” 

You’re right – sort of. 

The English translation of the word “believed” appears around 100 times in the Bible.  However, believing doesn’t always equate to “having faith in”, and that’s the difference.  For example, the Book of James, Chapter 1 verse 19 says: “You believe that God is one; you do well.  Even the demons believe - and shudder!”  Do demons have faith in God because they know/believe He exists?  Absolutely not.  The Lord Jesus Christ performed miracles in the very presence of the Pharisees, and they not only held Him in contempt for healing on the Sabbath (please read John 5:1-16; Mark 3:1-6; John 9:1-16; and Luke 13:10-17 for context) but equated His miracles to the work of Satan (read Matthew 12:22-29).  The Pharisees were the religious leaders of the time who knew the Old Testament forward and backwards.  They were well-versed in Bible prophecy that pointed to the Messiah, and yet they outwardly rejected the true Messiah (I say “true” because the people were looking for a political Messiah who would free them from Roman rule, and not a Righteous Messiah who would set them free from the penalty of sin) who was standing before their eyes. The Pharisees believed the miracles they saw Jesus perform, but their belief did not translate into faith. 

So the question is: Is every believer actually a Christian?  According to the Word of God, the answer is no.  Belief can be based on one’s emotions; upbringing; or interpretation of an event.  Belief can lead a person to think that they can go to Heaven when they die if they performed enough good works during their lifetime.  That’s not how the Lord counts faith.  God’s Word tells us that faith is trusting in the Lord with all of your heart, and not relying on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6). God’s Word tells us that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1). Scripture tells us that it is by God’s grace through faith that we are saved, and not works (Ephesians 2:8-9).  The Messiah told His disciples – and He’s telling us – that blessed are those who have not seen [Him] and yet have believed. (John 20:26-29). 

There’s that word again.  Only through faith in Jesus Christ – the perfect Lamb of God who died for the sins of the world and was resurrected, defeating the power of sin and death – will God declare us righteous.  If you have placed your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, If you have asked Him to forgive you of your sins and to help you turn away from sin, if you have asked Him to clean you up from the inside out, if you have asked Him to be your Master and your King, then you are a Christian.  Do not get overly concerned with titles, though.  When you stand before King Jesus, the only name you’ll want to be called by is “forgiven”.

God bless.