Acceptance

Concise Bible Dictionary:

This means being “brought into favor.” As God is holy, and man is a sinner, he can only be brought into acceptance by means of a Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ. To effect this the Lord had to die, to vindicate the justice of God, and atone for the sins of those who believe. In Him risen and glorified the believer is brought into favor according to the value before God of Christ’s person and work, wherefore the apostle says, “to the praise of the glory of His grace wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:66To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)). It is then a fact that the Christian is accepted or brought into favor in the Lord Jesus Christ; compare Romans 5:22By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2). How far his spirit and conduct is acceptable or wellpleasing to God is entirely a different question. 2 Corinthians 5:99Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (2 Corinthians 5:9) should read “We labor that whether present or absent we may be acceptable to him.” Being accepted we should be zealous that in all things our ways may be well-pleasing to God.

From Anstey’s Doctrinal Definitions:

“Accepted” is a term that refers to believers on the Lord Jesus Christ being “taken into favour” with God through receiving Christ as their Saviour (Rom. 5:22By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2); Eph. 1:66To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6) – J. N. Darby Trans.). As a result, they have a new standing before God in Christ that is beyond the reach of judgment.
To properly understand the Christian’s acceptance, it is necessary to first understand Christ’s acceptance, for they are one and the same. Not only has Christ’s work of atonement been accepted by God as that which has satisfied the claims of divine justice, but Christ Himself has been accepted before God. This is witnessed in His resurrection and ascension (1 Tim. 3:1616And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)). God has seated Him in the highest place in heaven—at His own right hand (Eph. 1:20-2120Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (Ephesians 1:20‑21); Phil. 2:9-119Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9‑11)). He is there now as a glorified Man with all the favour of God resting on Him. The wonderful thing about this great fact is that the Bible states that believers on the Lord Jesus are “in Christ” (John 14:2020At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. (John 14:20); Rom. 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1); 1 Cor. 1:3030But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30); 2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17), etc.). This is a technical expression used in Paul’s epistles to denote that the believer is in Christ’s place before God. Hence, the measure of His acceptance is ours! We are “accepted in the Beloved!” (Eph. 1:66To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)) The Apostle John states this same great fact: “As He is (accepted before God in heaven), so are we in this world” (1 John 4:1717Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17)).
Scripture indicates that those with faith who have not had the privilege of hearing the gospel of God’s grace, who are therefore, not part of the Church of God, are accepted “with” Him (Acts 10:3535But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:35)). Christians, on the other hand, are said to be accepted “in” Him (Eph. 1:66To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)). This indicates a nearer relationship to the Lord, resulting from having the indwelling Spirit of God.

Related Books and Articles:

Subject Eight: Fitness for Heaven
Acceptance
Acceptance