In the context of the Bible, the term "accepts" often refers to the act of receiving or approving something or someone. This concept is deeply rooted in the nature of God, His relationship with humanity, and the expectations He has for His followers. The idea of acceptance is multifaceted, encompassing divine acceptance of individuals, human acceptance of God's will, and interpersonal acceptance among believers.

Divine Acceptance

God's acceptance of individuals is a central theme in Scripture. It is not based on human merit but on His grace and mercy. Ephesians 1:6 states, "to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One." This verse highlights that believers are accepted by God through Jesus Christ, the "Beloved One." God's acceptance is a gift, underscoring the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith.

The Bible also emphasizes that God does not show favoritism. Acts 10:34-35 records Peter's revelation: "Truly I understand that God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right." This passage illustrates that God's acceptance transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries, extending to all who revere Him and live righteously.

Human Acceptance of God's Will

Acceptance of God's will is a hallmark of faithful living. Believers are called to trust in God's plan, even when it is difficult to understand. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage encourages believers to accept God's guidance and wisdom, trusting that His ways are higher than human ways.

Jesus Himself exemplified this acceptance in the Garden of Gethsemane. In Matthew 26:39 , He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." Jesus' submission to the Father's will, even unto death, serves as the ultimate model for believers in accepting God's purposes.

Interpersonal Acceptance Among Believers

The New Testament frequently addresses the importance of acceptance within the Christian community. Romans 15:7 instructs, "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God." This command underscores the call for believers to welcome and embrace one another, reflecting the acceptance they have received from Christ.

Acceptance among believers is also linked to the practice of love and unity. In 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 , Paul writes about the body of Christ: "so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." This passage highlights the interconnectedness of believers and the need for mutual acceptance and support.

Conclusion

The concept of acceptance in the Bible is rich and varied, encompassing divine acceptance of humanity, human acceptance of God's will, and the call for believers to accept one another. Through these dimensions, acceptance is shown to be a vital aspect of the Christian faith, reflecting God's love and grace.3947. laqach -- to take
... root Definition to take NASB Word Usage accept (8), accepted (3), accepts (2), bring
(18), brought (13), buy (1), buys (1), capture (2), captured (2), carry (3 ...
/hebrew/3947.htm - 6k

We Hear Much of the Human Error which Accepts what is Sham and ...
... Chapter 20 We hear much of the human error which accepts what is sham and
what is? We hear much of the human error which accepts ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 20 we hear much.htm

Faustus Warns against Pressing Too Far the Argument, that if Jesus ...
... Augustin accepts the birth and death alike on the testimony of the Gospel narrative,
which is higher authority than the falsehood of Manich??us. ...
/.../faustus warns against pressing too.htm

The Scripture Knows no Christians but Saints, who in all Things ...
... Preachers and writers comfort the half Christians with telling them, that God requires
not a perfect, sinless obedience, but accepts the sincerity of our weak ...
/.../address 223 0 0 the scripture knows.htm

The Defence of Uncalculating Love
... Jesus accepts them all. ... If anything is kept back, all that is given is marred. Jesus'
last word gives perpetuity to the service which He accepts. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the defence of uncalculating love.htm

Peace in the Soul
... II. The Christian peace is the peace of being divinely controlled. The man who
accepts Jesus Christ truly, accepts Him as Master and Lord. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/van dyke/what peace means/i peace in the soul.htm

Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
... (1) In the covenant of works God required perfection of degrees; in the
covenant of grace he accepts perfection of parts. There ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/3 1 mans inability to keep.htm

The Alabaster Box
... Christ accepts the service, and in His deep words lays down three or four principles
which it would do us all good to carry with us into our daily lives. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the alabaster box.htm

Covenanting Sanctioned by the Divine Example.
... When he acts, he is not moved; when he accepts, no transformation of character is
produced upon him; any new relation in which he stands comes wholly from the ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ix covenanting sanctioned by.htm

The First Disciples: v. Believing and Seeing
... Our Lord recognises and accepts the faith of Nathanael and his fellows, but, like
a wise Teacher, lets His pupils at the very beginning get a glimpse of how ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the first disciples v believing.htm

Whether the Number of the Predestined is Certain
... and not as principal parts. He accepts whatever number of them may be required
for the sake of the others. Thus a builder thinks ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article seven whether the number.htm

Accepts (14 Occurrences)
...Accepts (14 Occurrences). ... Hebrews 5:4 And no one takes this honourable office upon
himself, but only accepts it when called to it by God, as Aaron was. (WEY). ...
/a/accepts.htm - 9k

Faith (769 Occurrences)
... gospel.". The object of saving faith is the whole revealed Word of God. Faith
accepts and believes it as the very truth most sure. But ...
/f/faith.htm - 49k

Access (9 Occurrences)

/a/access.htm - 11k

Accepting (7 Occurrences)

/a/accepting.htm - 8k

Apostles (79 Occurrences)
... Zahn (Einl, II, 338, 1899) had already been working toward the same view (348).
He accepts in the main Blass' theory, as do Belser, Nestle, Salmon, Zockler. ...
/a/apostles.htm - 62k

Acts (271 Occurrences)
... Zahn (Einl, II, 338, 1899) had already been working toward the same view (348).
He accepts in the main Blass' theory, as do Belser, Nestle, Salmon, Zockler. ...
/a/acts.htm - 101k

Justification (6 Occurrences)
... As regards its nature, it is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons all the
sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them ...
/j/justification.htm - 43k

Lutheran
... 2. (n.) One who accepts or adheres to the doctrines of Luther or the Lutheran Church.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BAPTISM (LUTHERAN DOCTRINE). ...
/l/lutheran.htm - 35k

Flame (61 Occurrences)
... the Synoptists. When, however, it is applied to Him by others, He accepts
it in such a way as to assert His claim to it. Now and ...
/f/flame.htm - 61k

Dualism
... matter and spirit. 3. (n.) A system which accepts two gods, or two original
principles, one good and the other evil. 4. (n.) The ...
/d/dualism.htm - 7k

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