Acceptance, human

Human beings are to accept Jesus Christ

Receiving Jesus Christ

John 1:12 NKJV

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

See also Col 2:6

Accepting Jesus Christ by accepting others

John 13:20 NKJV

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

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

Accepting Jesus Christ’s words

John 17:8 NKJV

For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and 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 Mt 13:23; 1 Co 15:3; 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; Mk 12:33; Ro 13:9; 1 Ti 1:12–14; Jas 2:8

Acceptance of one another because of God’s example

Romans 15:7 NKJV

Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

See also Jn 13:34; Jn 15:12

Acceptance of those whom God has accepted

Romans 14:1 NKJV

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

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 NKJV

‘And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

See also Eze 47:22–23

Acceptance of itinerant ministers

Galatians 4:14 NKJV

And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

See also 1 Co 16:10–11; Php 2:29–30

Acceptance of things given

Acceptance of gifts

1 Samuel 25:35 NKJV

So David received from her hand what she had brought him, and said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. See, I have heeded your voice and respected your person.”

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

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 NKJV

“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

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

Acceptance of God’s will

Matthew 26:39 NKJV

He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

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

Acceptance of bribes forbidden

Exodus 23:8 NKJV

And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts 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