The phrase “accepting Christ” is commonly used in evangelical Christian circles to refer to the act of becoming a Christian by placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ. However, this exact phrase does not appear verbatim in the Bible. So why is it so prevalent if it’s not directly biblical? There are a few reasons this language developed:
1. The Bible emphasizes believing in and receiving Christ for salvation
While the precise phrase “accepting Christ” is absent, the Bible repeatedly stresses the need to believe in Jesus Christ in order to receive the gift of salvation (John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9). Salvation is obtained by God’s grace through faith alone, not by works or human effort (Ephesians 2:8-9). The invitation is given to all to place their trust in Christ and what He accomplished through His sinless life, sacrificial death on the cross, and resurrection from the dead.
Verses like John 1:12 declare, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Here we see the idea of “receiving” Christ through faith. Romans 10:9-10 states, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” This describes the role of faith in Christ for salvation.
While the precise words “accepting Christ” are not used, the concept is very biblical. We demonstrate that we’ve trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation through repenting of sin and placing our faith completely in Him and His work on the cross on our behalf.
2. It summarizes the biblical call to respond to the gospel
The phrase “accepting Christ” serves as a concise way to capture the biblical command to respond in faith to the gospel. Jesus and the apostles repeatedly implored their audiences to lay down their rebellion against God, turn from their sins, and put their complete trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This message required a response from the hearers (Mark 1:15, Acts 2:38, Romans 10:9).
“Accepting Christ” summarizes the biblical call to make a personal commitment to Jesus after hearing the gospel. It means turning from sin and self-rule and turning to Christ in faith. Rather than using the lengthy phrase “repenting of your sins and trusting in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior” each time, “accepting Christ” conveys the essence of the gospel response in a more succinct way.
3. It conveys the idea of welcoming Christ and committing to follow Him
“Accepting Christ” implies not just intellectual assent to the claims of the gospel, but welcoming the presence of Jesus Christ into one’s life and committing to follow Him. When someone accepts a gift, they don’t just intellectually agree that the gift object exists – they receive that gift and value it as their own. This requires a level of commitment.
So accepting Christ involves appreciation for Christ’s offer of salvation along with dedication to becoming His disciple. His lordship over the believer’s life is emphasized. Yieldedness and surrender to living God’s way must accompany the faith in who Jesus is and what He accomplished on the cross (Luke 9:23, James 2:19).
In this sense, “accepting” connotes more than passive belief – it entails an active, ongoing commitment to living under Christ’s authority. The believer embraces the free gift of salvation but also must walk the path of following Jesus day by day as Lord.
4. It implies Christ is offering Himself to be received by faith
The language around accepting Christ highlights a crucial truth about salvation – it is offered as a free gift by God’s grace, not something we can earn or merit. Jesus paid the price on the cross, and now graciously extends salvation to anyone who will repent and believe (Romans 6:23). No one is worthy or deserving of salvation; it must be “accepted” or received as the undeserved gift Christ offers.
The apostle Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is not achieved by human effort – it must simply be accepted through faith in Christ.
This relates to another biblical metaphor of taking hold of salvation in Christ. Jesus frequently spoke of salvation as the “gift” He gives which must be received (John 4:10, Revelation 22:17). Therefore, “accepting Christ” conveys that He has done the work and we must receive Him.
5. It expresses the personal aspect of trusting in Christ
Saying “I have accepted Christ” or asking “Have you accepted Christ?” emphasizes the individual, personal nature of trusting in Jesus for salvation. There is a “you” or “I” involved. This highlights how while Jesus died to pay for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2), individuals must still personally decide to place their faith in Him to receive forgiveness and eternal life.
Coming to Christ in faith is not just a general, corporate experience – the Bible consistently presents it as a personal decision to devote one’s life to following Jesus. “Accepting Christ” reinforces that idea. Outsiders cannot make that commitment on behalf of someone else. It must be personal.
Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Salvation comes as each individual makes the choice to trust Christ.
6. It communicates the commitment and cost of following Jesus
“Accepting Christ” implies understanding that an authentic commitment of faith in Christ means dedicating one’s whole life to Him. Jesus was clear there would be a cost involved in following Him as His disciple (Luke 14:25-33). Submission to Christ as Lord over everything was required, not just mental agreement with the gospel.
Part of the cost involved repentance – turning away from sinful behaviors and mindsets opposed to God’s will. The rich young ruler sought eternal life from Jesus but ultimately rejected the command to give up his love of money and possessions (Matthew 19:16-22). For him, the cost of following Christ proved too high. Genuinely accepting Christ means surrendering all to Him.
This sense of counting the cost of discipleship is contained in the idea of “accepting” Jesus. It is not just a one-time prayer but a lifetime commitment to honor Christ with one’s whole being that may involve sacrifice and hardship.
7. It implies fellowship and union with Christ
Accepting an offer from someone often initiates a relationship with that person. In the same way, accepting Christ brings the believer into spiritual fellowship and union with Jesus. His Holy Spirit comes to dwell within those who trust in Him for salvation (Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 6:19). An intimate connection is established.
This indwelling Presence changes believers to become more like Jesus over time. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” By faith the life of Christ comes to live in the believer.
The word “accept” thus appropriately expresses how faith in Christ ushers people into the transforming, personal relationship with Him that they are created for. God no longer remains far off, but enters their lives through His Spirit.
8. It points to Christ as personal Savior
The use of the phrase “accepting Christ” arose during the evangelical Protestant movement. It reinforced the biblical truth that salvation from sin comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone – not merely through intellectually acknowledging God or doing good works.
The Protestant reformers emphasized salvation was only possible by God’s grace through faith in Christ’s atoning work on the cross. People could not merit salvation by their own moral efforts. Eternal life came only as a free gift from Jesus Christ received by faith (Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16).
Declaring one had “accepted Christ” was a way of professing faith in Jesus alone to save you from sin, rather than trusting in religion or works. It signified relying on His finished sacrifice on the cross to remove guilt before God.
“Accepting Christ” points to the truth that we must receive Jesus Himself, and what He accomplished for us, as the sole basis for being made right with God. He is the only Savior given from heaven to rescue lost sinners (Acts 4:12).
9. It reflects biblical promises to all who receive Christ
Certain promises are extended in Scripture to those who hear the gospel and respond by “accepting” – or believing/receiving – Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Here are some examples:
- “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
- “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
When someone claims to have “accepted” Christ, they are implying they have trusted in Him for salvation based on these promises extended to all who believe. They are professing faith in who Christ is and what He accomplished to purchase forgiveness of sins.
10. Conclusion
In summary, while the precise phrase “accepting Christ” does not appear in Scripture, it reasonably captures the biblical call to place one’s faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. It communicates personal surrender to Christ, receiving Him as God’s gift of salvation, and committing to follow Him as Lord. The concept of “accepting” Christ originated to reinforce that salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
