"Accept Jesus"
It's not a biblical phrase...
The following excerpt is from the book entitled Today’s Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic, by Walter J. Chantry. If you are a true convert, this should stir your heart. If it doesn't move you, please consider the implications.
Our ears have grown accustomed to hearing men told to “accept Jesus as your personal Saviour,” a form of words which is not found in Scripture. It has become an empty phrase. Those may be precious words to the Christian-–“personal Saviour.” But they are wholly inadequate to instruct a sinner in the way to eternal life. They wholly ignore an essential element of the Gospel, namely repentance. And that necessary ingredient of Gospel preaching is swiftly fading from evangelical pulpits, though the New Testament is filled with it.
Churches are being filled with professing Christians who have never heard that Jesus demands repentance of any who seek eternal life. People flock to “accept Jesus as a personal Saviour” without selling all. They have never been told by the preacher that there is a condition placed on having treasures in Heaven--that is, repentance. So the converts of modern evangelism are often as worldly after their “decision” as before; for they have made a wrong decision. The covetous still cling to their riches and pleasures. Wealth and ease remain as the prevailing mark of their lives.
Bible references:
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. [Acts 17.30-31]
And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. [Acts 20.20-21]
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? [2Cor 13.5]