Acceptance, human

The response of human beings to the revelation and grace of God. It is seen in receiving Jesus Christ, his words and the message of the gospel, and in the acceptance of one another for his sake. Believers are called, too, to accept instruction and discipline and to submit to God's will for their lives.

Human beings are to accept Jesus Christ

Receiving Jesus Christ

John 1:12 See also Colossians 2:6

But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God —

Accepting Jesus Christ by accepting others

John 13:20 See also Matthew 10:40, Matthew 18:5 parallels Mark 9:37, Luke 9:48; Luke 10:16; John 12:44

Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever receives the one I send receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives the One who sent Me.”

Accepting Jesus Christ's words

John 17:8 See also Matthew 11:14, Matthew 19:11–12; John 3:33–34

For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me.

Refusing to accept Jesus Christ and his words

John 1:11, John 3:11, John 3:32, John 5:43–44, John 6:60

Acceptance of the gospel

The gospel is worthy of acceptance

1 Timothy 1:15; James 1:21 See also Matthew 13:23 parallels Mark 4:20, Luke 8:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Timothy 4:9–10

This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

Examples of those accepting the gospel

Acts 2:41 3,000 on the day of Pentecost; Acts 8:14 the Samaritans; Acts 11:1 the Gentiles; 1 Corinthians 15:1; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:9 believers in Galatia; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Rejection of the gospel

Acts 22:18; Romans 11:15; 1 Corinthians 2:14

Acceptance of one another

A right self-acceptance

1 Corinthians 15:10 Paul accepts himself as a sinner saved by God's grace and entrusted with an important ministry; Galatians 5:14 Loving others requires a proper self-love: the recognition that people are made in God's image and are the objects of his love. See also Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39 parallel Mark 12:31; Mark 12:33; Romans 13:9; 1 Timothy 1:12–14; James 2:8

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them — yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Acceptance of one another because of God's example

Romans 15:7 See also John 13:34, John 15:12

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God.

Acceptance of those whom God has accepted

Romans 14:1 See also Deuteronomy 10:18–19 God's people should reflect his concern for the weak and defenceless; Matthew 19:13–14 parallels Mark 10:13–14, Luke 18:15–16 Jesus Christ rebukes his disciples for turning away children.Acts 9:11–17, Acts 22:12–13 Acts 9:27 Barnabas' acceptance of SaulActs 10:15, Acts 10:28, Acts 10:47

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.

Acceptance of outsiders who join God's people

Leviticus 19:33–34 See also Ezekiel 47:22–23

When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Acceptance of itinerant ministers

Galatians 4:14 See also 1 Corinthians 16:10–11; Philippians 2:29–30

And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself.

Acceptance of things given

Acceptance of gifts

1 Samuel 25:35 See also Genesis 33:10–11; 1 Samuel 10:4; 1 Timothy 4:3–4

Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him, and he said to her, “Go home in peace. See, I have heeded your voice and granted your request.”

Refusal to accept gifts

Genesis 14:23–24 Abraham refuses gifts offered by the king of Sodom; 2 Kings 5:15–16 Elisha refuses a gift offered by Naaman; Esther 4:4 Mordecai refuses fine clothes from Esther.

Acceptance of instruction

Job 22:22; Proverbs 4:10, Proverbs 10:8, Proverbs 19:20; Isaiah 29:24

Acceptance of discipline

Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

Acceptance of God's will

Matthew 26:39 parallels Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42 See also Job 2:10; Psalm 40:8; Isaiah 50:5; Romans 8:28

Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Acceptance of bribes forbidden

Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 10:17; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Psalm 15:5; Proverbs 17:23; Isaiah 33:15