Acceptance, human

Human beings are to accept Jesus Christ

Receiving Jesus Christ

John 1:12 CSB

But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name,

See also Col 2:6

Accepting Jesus Christ by accepting others

John 13:20 CSB

Truly I tell you, whoever receives anyone I send receives me, and the one who receives me receives him who sent me.”

See also Mt 10:40; Lk 10:16; Mt 18:5; Jn 12:44

Accepting Jesus Christ’s words

John 17:8 CSB

because I have given them the words you gave me. They have received them and have known for certain that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me.

See also Mt 11:14; Mt 19:11–12; Jn 3:33–34

Refusing to accept Jesus Christ and his words

Jn 1:11; Jn 3:11; Jn 3:32; Jn 5:43–44; Jn 6:60

Acceptance of the gospel

The gospel is worthy of acceptance

1 Ti 1:15; Jas 1:21

See also 1 Co 15:3; Mt 13:23; 1 Ti 4:9–10

Examples of those accepting the gospel

Ac 2:41 3,000 on the day of Pentecost; Ac 8:14 the Samaritans; Ac 11:1 the Gentiles

Believers in Corinth:

1 Co 15:1; 2 Co 11:4

Ga 1:9 believers in Galatia

Believers in Thessalonica:

1 Th 1:6; 2 Th 2:13

Rejection of the gospel

Ac 22:18; Ro 11:15; 1 Co 2:14

Acceptance of one another

A right self-acceptance

1 Co 15:10 Paul accepts himself as a sinner saved by God’s grace and entrusted with an important ministry; Ga 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 Le 19:18; Mt 22:39; Ro 13:9; Mk 12:33; 1 Ti 1:12–14; Jas 2:8

Acceptance of one another because of God’s example

Romans 15:7 CSB

Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God.

See also Jn 13:34; Jn 15:12

Acceptance of those whom God has accepted

Romans 14:1 CSB

Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about disputed matters.

See also Dt 10:18–19 God’s people should reflect his concern for the weak and defenceless; Mt 19:13–14 Jesus Christ rebukes his disciples for turning away children.

Ananias’ acceptance of Saul:

Ac 9:11–17; Ac 22:12–13

Ac 9:27 Barnabas’ acceptance of Saul

Acceptance of the Gentiles:

Ac 10:15; Ac 10:28; Ac 10:47

Acceptance of outsiders who join God’s people

Leviticus 19:33–34 CSB

“When an alien resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You will regard the alien who resides with you as the native-born among you. You are to love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.

See also Eze 47:22–23

Acceptance of itinerant ministers

Galatians 4:14 CSB

You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you. On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.

See also 1 Co 16:10–11; Php 2:29–30

Acceptance of things given

Acceptance of gifts

1 Samuel 25:35 CSB

Then David accepted what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace. See, I have heard what you said and have granted your request.”

See also 1 Ti 4:3–4; Ge 33:10–11; 1 Sa 10:4

Refusal to accept gifts

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

Acceptance of instruction

Job 22:22; Pr 4:10; Pr 10:8; Pr 19:20; Is 29:24

Acceptance of discipline

Job 5:17 CSB

See how happy is the person whom God corrects; so do not reject the discipline of the Almighty.

See also Pr 3:11–12; Heb 12:5–7; Pr 10:17; Ps 94:12; Re 3:19; Dt 21:18

Acceptance of God’s will

Matthew 26:39 CSB

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.”

See also Ro 8:28; Ps 40:8; Job 2:10; Is 50:5

Acceptance of bribes forbidden

Exodus 23:8 CSB

You must not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and corrupts the words of the righteous.

God is impartial and cannot be bribed:

Dt 10:17; 2 Ch 19:7

Ps 15:5; Pr 17:23; Is 33:15