Acceptance

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.

Acceptance

From Anstey’s Doctrinal Definitions:

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