The Almost Christian Discovered

Author Background

Matthew Mead (1629–1699) was a 17th-century English Puritan and pastor who ministered with deep conviction during a time of great spiritual and political upheaval. Educated at Cambridge and known for his faithfulness to the Nonconformist cause (see Nonconformist (Protestantism) Wikipedia article), Mead preached a series of sermons on false conversion that would become his most well-known work: The Almost Christian Discovered.

Overview and Purpose

Based on Acts 26:28 “Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”, this book confronts the sobering reality that many professing believers may appear outwardly religious but remain spiritually unregenerate. Mead draws a clear and convicting line between what he calls the “almost Christian” and the “altogether Christian”, calling readers to self-examination and true conversion.

In today’s modern Church culture saturated with nominal Christianity, Mead’s message is both timely and timeless: it is possible to come near the kingdom—and still fall short. He adeptly examines the difference between outward religion and inward regeneration.

Content and Format

The book follows a catechetical structure, often presenting:

• A claim or appearance of Christianity
• A false assurance based on works, emotion, or intellect
• A Scriptural rebuttal that exposes the insufficiency of anything less than true faith and repentance
• 
  

Mead addresses behavior like morality, doctrinal knowledge, religious zeal, and participation in ordinances—all of which, he argues, can exist in the unconverted. The heart, he warns, is “the great imposter,” echoing Jeremiah 17:9.

He also offers pastoral safeguards, urging believers not to self-deceive: “Though many claim to be Christians in their own opinion, the law allows no man to be witness in his own case.” True conversion, Mead insists, must be authenticated not by self-assessment, but by gospel fruit.

Strengths of This Work

Doctrinal Depth

Mead reflects the Puritan commitment to sola gratia (grace alone) and sola fide (faith alone). His exposition is rooted in Scripture, his theology of man grounded in total depravity, and his call to faith directed toward Christ alone.

Experiential Calvinism

Mead, in good Puritan and Reformed fashion, exposes the insufficiency of mere intellectual assent to gospel truths. Like Jonathan Edwards in Religious Affections and John Owen in The Mortification of Sin, Mead insists that true Christianity is not merely doctrinally informed, but spiritually transformed.  Mead states, "A man may have much knowledge, and yet perish."(Mead, n.d.)

Pastoral Tone

Though firm, Mead is not cruel. He writes to awaken, not wound. He is particularly careful not to crush weak believers, clarifying that the gospel exposes hypocrisy not to discourage the faithful, but to call sinners to repentance.

The Puritans would ask, what is your reason, your aim, or purpose?  Mead tenderly, yet without compromise, that though some claim to be Christian “in their own verdict of their own opinion, but you know the law allows no man to be a witness in his own case because their affection usually overreaches conscience and self-love deceives truth for its own interest.”  This is the centerpiece of Mead’s argument.  Though you may have done many deeds for Christ, in the name of Christ, with the love of Christ to be a witness to your own merit that you claim to be deserving of eternal life in Heaven, maybe the downfall of the future estate of one’s soul.

Practical Application

The closing sections—Use of Application, Examination, Caution, and Exhortation—are immensely helpful for self-assessment or pastoral counseling. These can guide personal reflection or conversations with those struggling with assurance or trapped in self-deception.

The Almost Christian Discovered sternly challenges all that call themselves Christian to examine themselves to make sure they are in the faith.  Mead mindfully takes great care in addressing his reasons why we should all examine ourselves and the state of our souls for salvation, as Paul admonished in II Corinthians 13:5, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!”  Matthew Mead gives you the means to examine yourself and encourages the reader to be honest with the result of such an examination.

Contemporary Relevance

The Almost Christian Discovered is profoundly relevant in our day, where the visible church often confuses outward profession with inward possession of Christ. We live in an age where decisionism, moralism, and emotionalism often replace the biblical doctrine of regeneration. Many are encouraged to “accept Jesus” without ever being confronted by the holiness of God, the total depravity of man, and the necessity of true repentance and faith wrought by the Spirit.

Mead’s work strikes at the heart of this modern condition of decisionism. He does not allow comfort to rest on external actions, doctrinal agreement, or religious habits, he demands true spiritual rebirth by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone.  His distinction between an “almost Christian” and an “altogether Christian” echoes the Reformed emphasis on vital union with Christ as the essence of salvation (Rom. 8:9; John 15:1–11). Without the indwelling Holy Spirit producing fruit in life (Gal. 5:22–23), there is no evidence of true conversion.

The book also confronts the easy-believism and non-lordship theology that have weakened the Church’s witness in recent decades. According to Reformed theology, salvation is not merely a change in status, but a transformation of nature. Mead rightly insists that the gospel demands a new heart, not just a new vocabulary.

Moreover, his emphasis on self-examination aligns perfectly with the Reformed tradition’s doctrine of assurance—not as something presumed, but as something cultivated through the inward witness of the Spirit and the fruit of sanctification (cf. Westminster Confession of Faith 18.1–3).

In a time when churches are tempted to focus on seeker-sensitive church models, attendance, programs, activism—The Almost Christian is a call back to biblical fidelity and spiritual discernment. It reminds us that many will say “Lord, Lord,” but only those who do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom (Matt. 7:21–23). Thus, Mead’s warning is both pastoral and prophetic: a healthy church must distinguish between true and false conversion—not to exclude, but to evangelize. 

Final Thoughts

This book needs to be read prayerfully. Mead’s heart is clearly seen in his opening letters to both his readers and congregation. His aim is not to create doubt in the believer, but to drive the unconverted to Christ and anchor the true Christian in grace.

This book is essential for ALL who call themselves believers, lay members, pastors, counselors, and all who desire to discern genuine faith from counterfeit religion. Let it press you, as it pressed me, to cast yourself wholly upon Christ—not your feelings, not your works, but His righteousness alone.

“There are very many in the world that are almost, and yet but almost Christians: many that are near heaven, and yet are never the nearer.” — Matthew Mead

Rating: ★★★★★
Recommended For: Pastors, elders, counselors, serious Christians, and evangelists.
Best Companion Works: Religious Affections (Edwards), The Ten Virgins (Shepard), An Alarm to the Unconverted (Alleine)