SPECIAL TOPIC: RECEIVE

SPECIAL TOPIC: RECEIVE (from 1 Thess. 2:13)

"Receive" shows the necessity of our personal response. It refers

to the message in 1 Thess. 2:13
to the person of Christ in John 1:12
to lifestyle Christlikeness in 1 Thess. 4:1

The gospel focuses around three emphases:

personal relationship (cf. Col. 2:6)
doctrinal truth (cf. 2 Thess. 3:6; 1 Cor. 15:1-4)
lifestyle Christlikeness (cf. Phil.4:9)

The believer must respond to all three for maturity. Mature Christians will daily live godly, self-giving lives for the health and growth of the Body of Christ.

The phrase "received the Word of God" becomes an idiom for "receive the gospel" ("he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me," John 5:24).

dechomaī – Luke 8:13; Acts 8:14; 11:1; 17:11; 1 Thess. 1:16
paralambanō – 1 Thess. 2:13
paradechomai – Mark 4:20
apolambanō – James 1:21

Notice there is both a cognitive element and a volitional element.

The NT has several things connected to the VERB translated "receive."

The negative things
1. Rom. 8:15 – not receive (lambanō) the spirit of slavery
2. 1 Cor. 2:14 – the natural man does not receive (apolambanō) the things of the Spirit of God
3. 1 Cor. 2:12 – not receive (lambanō) the spirit of the world
4. 2 Cor. 6:1 – not to receive (apolambanō) the grace of God in vain
5. 2 Thess. 2:10 – they have not received (apolambanō) the love of the truth so as to be saved
The positive things
1. Acts 1:8 – receive (lambanō) power
2. Acts 2:33 – receive (lambanō) the Father's promise
3. Acts 2:38; 8:15,17,19; 10:47; 19:2 – receive (lambanō) the gift of the Holy Spirit
4. Acts 10:43; 26:18 – receive (lambanō) forgiveness
5. Rom. 5:11 – receive (lambanō) reconciliation
6. Rom. 5:17 – receive (lambanō) the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness
7. Rom. 8:15 – receive (lambanō) a spirit of adoption
8. Gal. 3:14 – receive (lambanō) the promise of the Spirit through faith
9. Col. 2:6 – receive (paralambanō) Jesus Christ
10. Heb. 10:36 – receive (komizō) the things promised
11. Heb. 11:17 – receive (anadechomai) the promises
12. Heb. 12:28 – receive (paralambanō) a kingdom which cannot be shaken
13. James 1:21 – receive (apolambanō) the word implanted which is able to save souls
14. 1 Pet. 5:4 – receive (komizō) the unfading crown of glory
15. 1 John 2:27 – received (lambanō) the anointing

Wow, what a range of wonderful things that come with the gospel!

"received. . .accepted" – These synonymous terms describe the need for a human response to the divine gospel offer! Fallen mankind must repent and believe the gospel (cf. Mark 1:15; Acts 3:16,19; 20:21), and continue to repent, believe, and live the gospel.

The former word is a compound term found in John 1:12. The latter means to welcome someone as a guest. In this context, one must welcome the gospel. The NT describes the gospel as both a person and a message.

"the word of God" – Paul's preaching (the gospel's message) was revelation inspired by God (cf. 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; 3:15-16). In 1 Thess. 2:13 this does not refer to the Bible, but apostolic proclamation and teaching. The NT records only a selected portion of Jesus' words and acts by the Apostolic authors.

I have recently thought through ths issue of "receiving" Christ. It is so hard not to think what you have been told all your life by people you love and trust! But it must be done! The Bible is our only authority for faith and practice! Please look at the SPECIAL TOPIC: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "RECEIVE," "BELIEVE," "CONFESS/PROFESS," AND "CALL UPON"?

There is a rich variety of things believers will/should/should not receive.

Christ ‒ Matt. 10:40; 18:5; Mark 9:37; Luke 9:48,53; John 1:11,12; 5:43; 13:20; Col. 2:5
His messengers ‒ Matt. 10:14,40; Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5; 10:8-10; John 13:20
His teachings
1. receives but does not last ‒ Matt. 13:20; Mark 4:16; Luke 8:13
2. teacher of Israel ‒ John 3:10-12
3. gospel truths ‒ John 12:44-50; 17:8; Acts 2:41; 8:14; 11:1; 17:11; 1 Cor. 15:1; Gal. 1:9; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thess. 1:6; 2:13; 2 Thess. 3:6; Heb. 4:6; 1 John 2:27
the Kingdom of God ‒ Mark 10:15; Luke 18:17
the Holy Spirit ‒ John 7:39; 14:17; 20:22; Acts 1:8; 2:33,38; 8:15-19; 10:47; 19:2; Gal. 3:2
blessings/grace ‒ John 1:16; Rom. 1:5; 5:17; Gal. 3:14; Heb. 4:16; 6:7; 9:15; 1 Pet. 2:10 (Hosea 1:10; 2:23)
answers to prayer ‒ Matt. 7:8; 21:22; Mark 11:24; Luke 11:10; John 16:24; James 1:7; 4:3; 1 John 3:22; 5:15
rewards ‒ Matt. 10:41; 19:29; Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30; John 4:36; 1 Cor. 3:8,14; 4:5; 9:24; 2 Cor. 5:10; Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:24; James 1:12

SPECIAL TOPIC: DEGREES OF REWARDS AND PUNISHMENT