6604 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 Jn 1:12 See also Col 2:6

Accepting Jesus Christ by accepting others Jn 13:20 See also Mt 10:40; Mt 18:5 pp Mk 9:37 pp Lk 9:48; Lk 10:16; Jn 12:44

Accepting Jesus Christ’s words Jn 17:8 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 3:11,32; Jn 5:43-44; Jn 6:60

Acceptance of the gospel

The gospel is worthy of acceptance 1Ti 1:15; Jas 1:21 See also Mt 13:23 pp Mk 4:20 pp Lk 8:15; 1Co 15:3; 1Ti 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: 1Co 15:1; 2Co 11:4
Gal 1:9 believers in Galatia Believers in Thessalonica: 1Th 1:6; 2Th 2:13

Rejection of the gospel Ac 22:18; Ro 11:15; 1Co 2:14

Acceptance of one another

A right self-acceptance 1Co 15:10 Paul accepts himself as a sinner saved by God’s grace and entrusted with an important ministry; Gal 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 Lev 19:18; Mt 22:39 pp Mk 12:31; Mk 12:33; Ro 13:9; 1Ti 1:12-14; Jas 2:8

Acceptance of one another because of God’s example Ro 15:7 See also Jn 13:34; Jn 15:12

Acceptance of those whom God has accepted Ro 14:1 See also Dt 10:18-19 God’s people should reflect his concern for the weak and defenceless; Mt 19:13-14 pp Mk 10:13-14 pp Lk 18:15-16 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 10:15,28,47

Acceptance of outsiders who join God’s people Lev 19:33-34 See also Eze 47:22-23

Acceptance of itinerant ministers Gal 4:14 See also 1Co 16:10-11; Php 2:29-30

Acceptance of things given

Acceptance of gifts 1Sa 25:35 See also Ge 33:10-11; 1Sa 10:4; 1Ti 4:3-4

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

Acceptance of instruction

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

Acceptance of discipline

Job 5:17 See also Dt 21:18; Ps 94:12; Pr 3:11-12; Pr 10:17; Heb 12:5-7; Rev 3:19

Acceptance of God’s will

Mt 26:39 pp Mk 14:36 pp Lk 22:42 See also Job 2:10; Ps 40:8; Isa 50:5; Ro 8:28

Acceptance of bribes forbidden

Ex 23:8 God is impartial and cannot be bribed: Dt 10:17; 2Ch 19:7
Ps 15:5; Pr 17:23; Isa 33:15

See also