What does it really mean to be a Christian? This question may seem simple, but for many people, it’s not so easy to answer.
One big part of this question is about Jesus. Can you be a Christian and not believe Jesus is God?
It’s something many people wonder about, and we’re going to explore it together.
Let’s take a closer look at what being a Christian means, who Jesus is, and why this question matters.
Table of Contents
What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?
At its core, being a Christian means following Jesus Christ.
The word “Christian” itself comes from the name Christ.
Christians believe in Jesus’ teachings, try to live the way He taught, and look to the Bible as their guide. The term “Christian” is first mentioned in the Bible in Acts 11:26(NIV), where it says, “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” This name was given to followers of Jesus by others, likely as a way to identify them as people who followed Christ.
But here’s the thing: different people and groups might explain what it means to follow Jesus in slightly different ways.
For some, being a Christian is all about loving God, loving others, and living a good life.
For others, it’s about having a personal relationship with Jesus and believing He is both Savior and God.
So, where does the idea of Jesus being God fit into all this?
[Read Also: The Need to Daily Recharge Your Faith as a Christian]
Who Is Jesus in Christianity?
Christians believe that Jesus is more than just a teacher or a prophet. He is the Son of God. But what does that really mean?
The Bible says Jesus is both fully human and fully God.
John 1:1 (KJV): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:14 (NIV) states, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
This verse shows that Jesus, referred to as “the Word,” took on human form while retaining His divine nature.
That’s why Christians call Him the Savior of the world. They believe He came to earth to show us how to live, to die for our sins, and to rise again so we can have eternal life.
John 3:16 (NIV) says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
One big idea in Christianity is the Trinity.
This means God is three persons in one: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19 (NIV) commands believers to, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Not all Christians fully understand or agree on this concept, but it’s a key part of why many say Jesus is God. John 10:30 (NIV) further supports this, where Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.”
What Do Different Christians Believe?
It might surprise you, but not all people who call themselves Christians believe the exact same things about Jesus.
Some groups, like Jehovah’s Witnesses or Unitarians, don’t believe Jesus is God in the same way that other Christians do.
They might see Him as a special person or even divine in some way but not equal to God.
Then there are people who feel connected to Jesus’ teachings and want to live like Him, but they don’t believe He is God. They might still call themselves Christians because they follow His example.
So, can they still be Christians? That’s where it gets tricky.
What Does the Bible Say About Jesus Being God?
The Bible is the foundation of Christian beliefs, so let’s see what it says.
- In John 1:1(NIV), it says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Christians believe “the Word” refers to Jesus.
- In John 10:30(NIV), Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.” This is another verse people use to say Jesus is God.
- In Colossians 2:9(NIV), it says, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
These verses show why many Christians believe Jesus is God.
But some people interpret these verses differently or focus on other parts of the Bible where Jesus talks about being sent by God.
Can You Be a Christian Without Believing Jesus Is God?
Now we’re at the big question. Can you be a Christian and not believe Jesus is God?
Some people think the answer is yes. They say being a Christian is about following Jesus’ teachings, loving others, and trusting God. To them, believing Jesus is God isn’t the most important part.
Others strongly believe the answer is no. They say that if you don’t believe Jesus is God, you’re missing the most important part of Christianity: that Jesus came to save us because He is God.
It really depends on how you define being a Christian. For some, it’s about actions and living like Jesus. For others, it’s about faith in who Jesus is.
Here’s what I believe:
A Christian MUST believe that Jesus is God. This belief is at the heart of what it means to follow Him. You cannot be a christian without believing that Jesus is God.
How is that even possible to think you are a christian when you doubt the divinity of Jesus Christ?
The Bible makes this clear in many places, and it shows us why this belief is so important.
In 1 John 3:23 (KJV), the Bible says, “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”
God asks us to believe in Jesus, His only Son. This isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a commandment! To follow Jesus, we must trust in who He is and what He came to do.
At the end of the Gospel of John, John explains why he wrote about Jesus.
In John 20:31 (NIV), it says, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John wanted everyone to know the truth about Jesus so they could believe and have eternal life.
This shows how important it is to understand who Jesus is—not just a good teacher or a kind man, but the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
Believing in Jesus as God isn’t just about words or ideas; it changes everything about how we live as seen in 1 John 3:23 “and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”
If we truly believe in Him, our lives should show it. We need to follow His teachings, love others, and live in a way that reflects our faith.
It’s also important to remember that Jesus didn’t come just to teach us how to live; He came to save us. In John 3:16 (NIV), it says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Believing that Jesus is God and accepting Him as Savior is how we receive the gift of eternal life.
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Romans 10:9 KJV
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
So, can someone be a Christian without believing Jesus is God? I personally don’t think so. If we don’t believe in His divinity, we’re missing the very heart of Christianity: that God became human in Jesus to save us.
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
But it’s not enough to just say we believe. Our actions need to show our faith. Loving others, obeying God’s commands, and sharing Jesus’ love are all part of living out what we believe.
Why Does This Question Matter?
The question, “Can you be a Christian without believing Jesus is God?” is more than just a theological debate.
It goes to the core of what Christianity is all about. What we believe about Jesus shapes how we understand God, salvation, and our purpose in life.
First, it matters because Jesus’ identity as God is central to the Gospel message. If Jesus is not God, then His death on the cross wouldn’t have the power to save us. The Bible teaches that the blood of animals could only temporarily cover sins, not take them away. In Hebrews 10:4 (KJV), it says, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Jesus, as God, offered His own blood as a perfect and final sacrifice, providing eternal forgiveness. And as well an ordinary human blood cannot do this.
Additionally, Jesus revealed God to humanity in a way no one else could. In John 1:18 (KJV), it says, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” This means that Jesus, who is God, made the invisible God known to us. Only through Jesus can we truly know the Father and receive eternal life.
Second, this question affects how we live out our faith. Believing Jesus is God changes how we see Him and follow Him. It’s not just about learning from a wise teacher; it’s about worshiping the Savior who gave His life for us. In Philippians 2:10-11 (KJV), it says, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Since Jesus is God, He deserves our devotion, obedience, and love.
Third, this question matters because it impacts how we share our faith. Christians are called to share the Good News of Jesus. In John 14:6 (KJV), Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” If we don’t believe in His divinity, how can we point others to Him as the only way to God?
Finally, this question is about truth. Christianity isn’t just about personal feelings or opinions; it’s about trusting what God has revealed in the Bible. In 1 John 5:11-12 (KJV), it says, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” What we believe about Jesus determines our relationship with God and our hope for eternity.
If you do not believe in the Lord Jesus, you are condemned already. (John 3:18 KJV)
So, why does this question matter? Because it’s about more than theology—it’s about who Jesus is, how we respond to Him, and what it means to truly follow Him. It is a matter of one’s eternal destination.
Conclusion: What Do You Believe?
So, can you be a Christian and not believe Jesus is God? The answer might depend on who you ask, but here’s what’s important: take time to explore your beliefs. Read the Bible and pray, and you we see that Jesus is God.
Why not believe in the Lord Jesus today?
Do you have any question? We can continue the conversation!
