Why is the phrase 'accepting Christ' used in evangelism if it is not in the Bible?

TL;DR:

The phrase "accepting Christ" is not found in the Bible. However, the concept is—salvation is a free gift that we receive by faith, not by works.

Although the exact phrase “accepting Christ” does not appear in Scripture, the concept it conveys is deeply biblical: salvation is a free gift from God, received through faith rather than earned by works. Believers are called to receive God’s grace, as seen in passages like Ephesians 2:8–9, Romans 6:23, John 1:12–13, and John 4:10, which portray salvation as a transformative gift freely given by God. While evangelism often uses the phrase “accepting Christ” for clarity and accessibility, the focus should always remain on communicating the heart of the gospel—the love, mercy, and hope found in Jesus Christ—and helping people understand that faith in Him brings forgiveness, new life, purpose, joy, and eternal peace. Effective evangelism prioritizes living a Christlike example, sharing God’s truth with humility and compassion, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of those we speak to, guiding them toward a genuine, personal response to God’s offer of salvation. In this way, the words we choose are less important than faithfully pointing people to the life-changing reality of Christ and His gift of eternal life.

from the old testament

The Old Testament frames the principle behind “accepting Christ” as responding to God’s call, trusting His promises, and receiving His blessings—a pattern fulfilled in the New Testament through faith in Jesus. Prophets like Isaiah highlight God’s desire that all people turn to Him and experience His salvation (Isaiah 55:1–3; Psalm 67:2–3).

from the new testament

While the phrase "accepting Christ" is not found in Scripture, the idea is. Salvation is a free gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "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." In other words, there is nothing a person can do to earn salvation. Therefore, people often speak of "accepting" Christ and the salvation He offers as a free gift.
This free gift of salvation is something spoken of elsewhere in the New Testament. Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Paul mentions the "free gift" of salvation on six occasions total in Romans, including Romans 5:17, which expresses, "For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ."
Jesus also communicated the gospel this way to the woman at the well in John 4:10: "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." She did not need to earn this living water but was challenged to accept it from Jesus.
The related word "receive" is often used in the New Testament regarding salvation. John 1:12-13 teaches, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."
Unbelievers should be shown the love of Christ by believers, taught the good news of Christ, and be encouraged to receive or accept the free gift of salvation Jesus provides. Those who do so receive abundant life (John 10:10), eternal life (John 3:16), forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9), new life (Ephesians 4:24), joy (1 Peter 1:8-9), purpose (Romans 8:28), and peace with God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).

implications for today

When sharing the gospel, the focus should be on the heart of the message rather than the exact words we use. Although the phrase “accepting Christ” is not explicitly in the Bible, what truly matters is helping others understand that salvation is a free gift from God, available through faith in Jesus Christ, and not something they can earn through their own efforts.

We should aim to clearly communicate God’s love, His mercy, and the hope He offers, making the message accessible and relatable while living in a way that reflects His character. Our conversations should be rooted in compassion, patience, and humility, creating space for people to respond freely rather than feeling pressured by terminology. Encouraging others to receive Christ involves explaining the transformation He brings—God’s forgiveness impacts our life today and for eternity.

At the same time, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, trusting that God equips and guides us in every conversation. Our role is to point people to Him, not to coerce or manipulate. Effective evangelism combines love, dependence on God, and helping people encounter the truth of the gospel.

understand

“Accepting Christ” isn’t in the Bible, but salvation as a free gift through faith is.
The Bible calls people to respond to what God has done and who He is.
Evangelism should focus on God’s love and grace, guided by the Spirit, not exact words.

reflect

How do you personally explain the gospel in a way that focuses on God’s love and grace rather than specific phrases?
How are you relying on the Holy Spirit to guide your conversations about salvation with others?
How can you live out the gospel in your life to make your witness compelling?

engage

What is important to communicate when sharing the gospel?
Why is it important to recognize God’s work in salvation and our response to it as opposed to something we earn?
How do we ensure that our evangelism emphasizes God’s heart for people rather than the terminology we use?