Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and General Overview:Acceptance, in a biblical context, refers to the act of receiving or approving someone or something favorably. It encompasses the ideas of approval, favor, and the welcoming of individuals or actions. In the Bible, acceptance is often associated with God's favor towards individuals, the acceptance of offerings, and the acceptance of one another within the community of believers.
Acceptance by God:The concept of acceptance by God is central to biblical theology. It is often linked to righteousness, faith, and obedience. In
Genesis 4:7, God speaks to Cain about the acceptance of his offering, saying, "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?" This highlights the importance of righteousness in gaining God's favor.
In the New Testament, acceptance by God is closely tied to faith in Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:6 states, "to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved." This verse emphasizes that believers are accepted by God through the grace given in Christ.
Acceptance of Offerings:The acceptance of offerings is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. Offerings were a means for individuals to express worship and seek favor from God.
Leviticus 22:21 instructs, "When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering from the herd or flock, it must be without blemish to be acceptable; there must be no defect in it." This underscores the requirement for offerings to be pure and sincere to be accepted by God.
Acceptance of Others:The Bible also addresses the acceptance of others within the community of believers.
Romans 15:7 encourages, "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God." This verse calls for mutual acceptance among believers, reflecting the acceptance they have received from Christ.
In the early church, acceptance of Gentile believers was a significant issue.
Acts 10:34-35 records Peter's realization: "I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right." This marked a pivotal moment in the early church's understanding of God's acceptance of all people, regardless of ethnic background.
Acceptance and Forgiveness:Acceptance is often linked with forgiveness in the Bible.
Colossians 3:13 advises, "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This passage highlights the importance of forgiveness in fostering acceptance and unity within the Christian community.
Acceptance and Love:Love is a foundational element of acceptance in the biblical narrative. 1
John 4:19 states, "We love because He first loved us." The acceptance believers receive from God is rooted in His love, and this love is to be mirrored in their acceptance of others.
Conclusion:The biblical concept of acceptance is multifaceted, encompassing God's acceptance of individuals through faith and righteousness, the acceptance of offerings, and the mutual acceptance of believers within the community. It is deeply intertwined with themes of love, forgiveness, and grace, reflecting the character of God and the transformative power of the gospel.
Topical Bible Verses
Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of accepting; a receiving what is offered, with approbation, satisfaction, or acquiescence; esp., favorable reception; approval; as, the acceptance of a gift, office, doctrine, etc.
2. (n.) State of being accepted; acceptableness.
3. (n.) An assent and engagement by the person on whom a bill of exchange is drawn, to pay it when due according to the terms of the acceptance.
4. (n.) The bill itself when accepted.
5. (n.) An agreeing to terms or proposals by which a bargain is concluded and the parties are bound; the reception or taking of a thing bought as that for which it was bought, or as that agreed to be delivered, or the taking possession as owner.
6. (n.) An agreeing to the action of another, by some act which binds the person in law.
7. (n.) Meaning; acceptation.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ACCEPTANCEak-sep'-tans: A rendering of the Hebrew retson, "delight," found only inIsaiah 60:7. It pictures God's delight in His redeemed people in the Messianic era, when their gifts, in joyful and profuse abundance, "shall come up with acceptance on mine altar." With "accepted" and other kindred words it implies redeeming grace as the basis of Divine favor. It is the "living, holy sacrifice" that is "acceptable to God" (Romans 12:1; compareTitus 3:4-6).
Greek
594. apodoche --acceptance, approval...acceptance, approval. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apodoche Phonetic
Spelling: (ap-od-okh-ay') Short Definition:
acceptance, appreciation
...4356. proslempsis -- a receiving
... Transliteration: proslempsis Phonetic Spelling: (pros'-lape-sis) Short Definition:
a receiving Definition: a receiving, a taking to one's self,acceptance....
3340. metanoeo -- to change one's mind or purpose
... eh'-o) Short Definition: I repent, change my mind Definition: I repent, change my
mind, change the inner man (particularly with reference toacceptance of the...
Strong's Hebrew
7522. ratson -- goodwill, favor,acceptance, will... ratson or ratson. 7523 . goodwill, favor,
acceptance, will. Transliteration: ratson
or ratson Phonetic Spelling: (raw-tsone') Short Definition: favor.
...Library
Several Discourses Concerning the Terms ofAcceptance with God
Several Discourses Concerning the Terms ofAcceptance with God. <.... Table
of Contents. Title Page. Concerning the Terms ofAcceptance, &c....
ForAcceptance in Prayer, and Daily Guidance. --Ps. cxli.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN LXXVII. ForAcceptance in Prayer, and daily Guidance."Ps.... James
Montgomery. ForAcceptance in Prayer, and daily Guidance."Psalm 141.p>....
Faith andAcceptance
... Chapter 6 Faith andAcceptance. As your conscience has been quickened by
the Holy Spirit, you have seen something of the evil of...
Letter xxvii. --Acceptance of Duties.
... SECOND BOOK: ON THE EXERCISE OF THE VIRTUE OF ABANDONMENT Letter XXVII."Acceptance
of Duties.... On abandonment in theacceptance of duties....
TheAcceptance of the Christian Conception of Life Will Emancipate...
... "THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU." CHAPTER IX. THEACCEPTANCE OF THE CHRISTIAN
CONCEPTION OF LIFE WILL EMANCIPATE MEN FROM THE MISERIES OF OUR PAGAN LIFE....
He Repels the Calumny Concerning theAcceptance of Persons.
... Book II. Chapter 13 [VII.]"He Repels the Calumny Concerning theAcceptance
of Persons. And, moreover, we rightly call it "acceptance...
Several Discourses Concerning the Terms ofAcceptance with God
Several Discourses Concerning the Terms ofAcceptance with God. <.... SEVERAL
DISCOURSES. Concerning the. Terms ofAcceptance. WITH. GOD. IN WHICH....
Ep. cxxiii. To Excuse Himself for Postponing hisAcceptance of an...
... Ep. CXXIII. To excuse himself for postponing hisacceptance of an invitation.?
(To excuse himself for postponing hisacceptance of an invitation.)...
The Seventh Seal.
... 5:8). The offering of much incense with the prayers of all saints and the smoke
of the incense ascending up before God, indicates theacceptance of their...
How Should we Make Use of Christ, in Going to the Father, in...
... 9. We should expect all our welcome andacceptance with the Father only in and through
Christ, and expect nothing for any thing in ourselves, nor for our graces...
Thesaurus
Acceptance (24 Occurrences)... act of accepting; a receiving what is offered, with approbation, satisfaction, or
acquiescence; esp., favorable reception; approval; as, the
acceptance of a
...Acceptation (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.)Acceptance; reception; favorable reception
or regard; state of being acceptable. 2. (n.) The meaning...
Universal (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:15 Faithful is the saying, and deserving of universalacceptance, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; among whom I stand foremost...
Tender (66 Occurrences)
... to tender the amount of rent or debt. 5. (vt) To offer in words; to present
foracceptance. 6. (n.) An offer, either of money to...
Deserving (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:15 Faithful is the saying, and deserving of universalacceptance, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; among whom I stand foremost...
Deserves (25 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:15 Faithful is the saying, and deserving of universalacceptance, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; among whom I stand foremost...
Proposal (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That which is proposed, or propounded for consideration oracceptance; a
scheme or design; terms or conditions proposed; offer; as, to make proposals...
Proffer (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To offer foracceptance; to propose to give; to make a tender of; as,
to proffer a gift; to proffer services; to proffer friendship....
Adoption (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of adopting, or state of being adopted; voluntaryacceptance
of a child of other parents to be the same as one's own child....
King (25505 Occurrences)
... KINGSHIP 1. The Old Testament Foreshadowings In the Psalms and Prophets 2. The Gospel
Presentation (1) Christ's Claim to Be King (2) Christ'sAcceptance of the...
Resources
What does the Bible say about acceptance? | GotQuestions.orgHow do we decide which books belong in the Bible since the Bible does not say which books belong in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow should Christian parents handle a teen daughter who has become pregnant? | GotQuestions.orgAcceptance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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