Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning: The term "acceptation" refers to the act of receiving something with approval or favorable reception. In a biblical context, it often pertains to the acceptance of God's word, teachings, or individuals by God or the community of believers. The concept is closely related to themes of grace, faith, and divine approval.
Biblical Usage: The word "acceptation" is notably used in the New Testament, particularly in the pastoral epistles. It signifies the trustworthy and worthy nature of certain teachings or sayings that are to be received with full confidence and belief by the Christian community.
Key Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:15 states, "This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptation: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst." This verse highlights the core message of the Gospel, emphasizing the importance of accepting the truth of Christ's mission and the grace extended to sinners.
Theological Significance: From a conservative Christian viewpoint, acceptation is crucial for understanding the nature of faith and salvation. It underscores the necessity of accepting the Gospel message as true and authoritative. The acceptance of Christ's redemptive work is foundational to Christian belief, and it is through this acceptance that believers are justified and reconciled to God.
Related Concepts:1.
Grace and Salvation: Acceptation is closely linked to the concept of grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9 explains, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Accepting this grace is essential for salvation, highlighting the unmerited favor bestowed upon believers.
2.
Faith and Belief: Acceptation involves a response of faith.
Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Acceptation requires a heart posture of trust and belief in God's promises.
3.
Divine Approval: Acceptation also pertains to being approved by God.
Romans 14:18 notes, "For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." This reflects the dual aspect of acceptation, where believers seek to live in a manner that is acceptable to God and reflects His righteousness.
Practical Implications: For Christians, the concept of acceptation calls for a life of obedience and alignment with God's will. It involves accepting the authority of Scripture, the lordship of Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Believers are encouraged to live lives that reflect their acceptance of God's truth, demonstrating their faith through actions and attitudes that honor Him.
Conclusion: While the entry does not include a formal conclusion, it is evident that acceptation is a multifaceted concept with deep theological roots. It is integral to the Christian experience, shaping how believers understand their relationship with God and their role in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Acceptance; reception; favorable reception or regard; state of being acceptable.
2. (n.) The meaning in which a word or expression is understood, or generally received; as, term is to be used according to its usual acceptation.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ACCEPT; ACCEPTABLE; ACCEPTATIONak-sept', ak-sep'-ta-b'-l, ak-sep-ta'-shun: "To receive with favor," "to take pleasure in"; "well-pleasing"; "the act of receiving."
Accept, used
(1) of sacrifice, "accept thy burnt-sacrifice" (dashen, "accept as fat," i.e. receive favorably; Psalm 20:3);
(2) of persons, "Yahweh accept Job" (Job 42:9, nasa', "to lift up," "take," "receive");
(3) of works, "a the work of his hands" (Deuteronomy 33:11 ratsah, "to delight in").
In New Testament
(1) of favors, "We accept. with all thankfulness" (apodechomai, Acts 24:3);
(2) of personal appeal, "He accept our exhortation" (2 Corinthians 8:17);
(3) of God's Impartiality (lambano, "to take," "receive"); "accepteth not man's person" (Galatians 2:6).
Acceptable, used
(1) of justice (bachar, "choose select"), "more accept. than sacrifice" (Proverbs 21:3);
(2) of words (chephets, "delight in," "sought. accept words") (Ecclesiastes 12:10);
(3) of times (ratson, "delight," "approbation"; dektos, "receivable") "acceptable year of the Lord" (Isaiah 61:2 (King James Version); Luke 4:19);
(4) of spiritual sacrifice (euprosdektos, "well received"), "acceptable to God" (1 Peter 2:5);
(5) of patient endurance (charis, "grace," "favor") "This is acceptable with God" (1 Peter 2:20). Acceptation, used twice to indicate the trustworthiness of the gospel of Christ's saving grace: "worthy of all acceptation." (1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 4:9).
These words are full of the abundant grace of God and are rich in comfort to believers. That which makes man, in word, work and character, acceptable to God; and renders It possible for God to accept him, his service and sacrifice, is the fullness of the Divine mercy and grace and forgiveness. He "chose us" and made us, as adopted sons, the heirs of His grace "which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6; compare the King James Version).
Dwight M. Pratt
Greek
594. apodoche -- acceptance, approval ... acceptance. From apodechomai; acceptance --
acceptation. see GREEK apodechomai.
(apodoches) -- 2 Occurrences. 593, 594. apodoche. 595 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/594.htm - 6k4679. sophizo -- to make wise
... From sophos; to render wise; in a sinister acceptation, to form "sophisms", ie Continue
plausible error -- cunningly devised, make wise. see GREEK sophos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4679.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
8173. sha'a' -- to be smeared over, blinded... A primitive root; (in a good
acceptation) to look upon (with complacency), ie Fondle,
please or amuse (self); (in a bad one) to look about (in dismay), ie
... /hebrew/8173.htm - 5kLibrary
"A Faithful Saying, and Worthy of all Acceptation. "
... Book X. Chapter XLVII.""A Faithful Saying, and Worthy of All Acceptation.".
"But if any one desires to learn exactly the truth ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xlvii a faithful saying and.htm
The Righteousness of Christ is not Imputed to us for Righteousness ...
... thus ought they to have spoken, if their purpose was correctly to retain my words;
because the expression, "justifies us," is of wider acceptation than, "is ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/article xxiv iv the righteousness.htm
Of the Way of Man's Delivery.
... Of The Way Of Man's Delivery. 1 Tim. i.15""This is a faithful saying, and worthy
of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.". ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxv of the way.htm
1 Timothy i. 15, 16
... 1 Timothy i.15, 16 "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. ...
/.../homily iv 1 timothy i.htm
On Sacraments in General
... But because the same word is either taken in a relative acceptation, (and this either
properly for a sign, or by metonymy for the thing signified,) or in an ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lx on sacraments in.htm
Adam Delivered by the Mercy of Christ.
... the righteous, but sinners to repentance." [1182] Accordingly, His apostle also
says: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 23 xxi adam delivered by.htm
Whether, when Deprived of Charity, a Man Can Make Satisfaction for ...
... ix, 1,3). Now in satisfaction made to God, the equality is based, not on equivalence
but rather on God's acceptation: so that, although the offense be already ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether when deprived of charity.htm
Whether a Man is Called Unjust through Doing an Unjust Thing?
... Reply to Objection 1: A habit is specified by its object in its direct and formal
acceptation, not in its material and indirect acceptation. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man is called.htm
Letter xxvii. To Marcella.
... Them that sin rebuke before all." [720] They may choose to read, "It is a man's
saying, and worthy of all acceptation;" we are content to err with the Greeks ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxvii to marcella.htm
The Capitula of the Council.
... If anyone shall not call in a true acceptation, but only in a false acceptation,
the holy, glorious, and ever-virgin Mary, the Mother of God, or shall call her ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the capitula of the council.htm
Thesaurus
Acceptation (2 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) The meaning in which a word or expression is understood, or generally received;
as, term is to be used according to its usual
acceptation. Int.
.../a/acceptation.htm - 10kAcceptable (48 Occurrences)
... acceptable present, one acceptable to us. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ACCEPT; ACCEPTABLE; ACCEPTATION. ak-sept', ak-sep'-ta-b ...
/a/acceptable.htm - 24k
Accept (106 Occurrences)
... is then on its adoption.]. 7. (a.) Accepted. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ACCEPT; ACCEPTABLE; ACCEPTATION. ak-sept', ak-sep'-ta ...
/a/accept.htm - 38k
Acceptance (24 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) An agreeing to the action of another, by some act which binds the person
in law. 7. (n.) Meaning; acceptation. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/a/acceptance.htm - 14k
Stedfast (84 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:15 stedfast 'is' the word, and of all acceptation worthy, that Christ
Jesus came to the world to save sinners -- first of whom I am; (YLT). ...
/s/stedfast.htm - 30k
Worst (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:15 stedfast 'is' the word, and of all acceptation worthy, that Christ
Jesus came to the world to save sinners -- first of whom I am; (See NIV). ...
/w/worst.htm - 8k
Faithful (136 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FAITHFUL SAYINGS. sa'-inz (pistos ho logos): "This
is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation" (the King James Version). ...
/f/faithful.htm - 69k
Chaldea (8 Occurrences)
... 1. Geographical Position: Seats of the Chaldeans: In its widest acceptation, Chaldea
is the name of the whole of Babylonia, owing to the fact that the ...
/c/chaldea.htm - 25k
Chaldeans (82 Occurrences)
... 1. Geographical Position: Seats of the Chaldeans: In its widest acceptation, Chaldea
is the name of the whole of Babylonia, owing to the fact that the ...
/c/chaldeans.htm - 48k
Appurtenance (1 Occurrence)
... else; an adjunct; an appendage; an accessory; something annexed to another thing
more worthy; in common parlance and legal acceptation, something belonging to ...
/a/appurtenance.htm - 7k
Resources
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