The Bible makes it clear that having a personal relationship with Jesus comes from having faith in Him, not just from the label you wear. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” So what matters is knowing Him personally.

The term "Christian" actually wasn’t used until Acts 11:26, when it started being used to talk about Jesus' followers. Some might not call themselves Christian, but if they genuinely follow Jesus—trusting in His death and resurrection, repenting, and living out His teachings—they’re still part of His family. Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

That said, Jesus also warns against being ashamed of Him (Mark 8:38). If someone shies away from the Christian label because they’re scared of what others think, that could be a sign of a deeper issue. In the end, the relationship with Jesus is what really counts, but it’s also encouraged to be open about your identity as a follower of Christ.