A Christian is simply one who is born again of the spirit of God

Many Christians misunderstand the basic simplicity of Christianity.   Some believe that salvation requires more than the simple act of believing the truth.  They often attach a whole set of traditional rituals, practices, and popular teachings.  These other things become set in their mind as necessary ingredients of salvation along with believing in Christ as their personal savior.  First of all the word does not refer to Christ as a personal savior, but instead as the savior of the world of mankind as a whole.  In other words all those who seek him are received by him to salvation, likewise all those who reject him are lost and are children of darkness.  If we study the word we will see that being a Christian is not as complicated as it is made out to be.  The first and foremost necessary act to take is to receive Christ and become born of; body, soul, and spirit.  After this our only goal to walk in the light the best that we can.  However our walk is not what determines whether we are Christian or not.  Being a Christian or not is not dependant on our good works, but entirely on our being born of the spirit of God secondly to our natural birth in the womb.

Acts 11:26
26    And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch (by other people).

The disciples were the first ones to be called Christians [those who follow after Christ and not after the world].

Acts 26:19-32
19    Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20    But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
21    For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
22    Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23    That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
24    And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
25    But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
26    For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
27    King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28    Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29    And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
30    And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
31    And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
32    Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

1 Pet 4:16
16    Yet if any man suffer [by persecution from others - unbelievers] as a Christian [a born again believer - speaking the word in truth], let him not be ashamed [be concerned of this persecution]; but let him glorify God on this behalf [to be glad in his heart of who he is in Christ, knowing that godliness is hated by ungodliness which therefore leads to persecution; because his words are foolishness to those who don't believe].