Why is it wrong to use the expression “Receive Christ” in evangelism?

John 1:12 states that “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” Notice that the word “even” is italicized. In the KJV, italicized words are not in the original but were included to make the translation into English more readable and grammatical. The word “even” in its italicized form occurs 56 times in the New Testament. It has two uses:

1. as an identification or definition; or
2. as an explanation or discussion.

For examples, “even” used to identify or define:

[1] Matthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Who is the Master? Christ.

[2] John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

Who is the one that accuses? Moses.

[3] John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Who is the Comforter? The Spirit of truth.

For examples, “even” used to explain or discuss:

[1] 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

How are we changed? By the Spirit of the Lord.

[2] 1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

What is the end of our faith? The salvation of our souls.

In John 1:12, the emphasis should not be on “receive” but on what comes after the word “even” which is “believe”. To whom did Christ give power to become the sons of God? To those who believe in his name.

When people use John 1:12 in evangelism, they then follow it up with Revelation 3:20. With these two verses, they wrongly interpret the word “receive” to mean “you must pray and ask Christ to come into your heart”. The interpretation is wrong for two reasons:

1. The stress should be on “believe” and not “receive” in John 1:12; and
2. Revelation 3:20 is not an evangelistic verse since it was addressed to the church in Laodicea.

Complete listing of verses where ”even” is used in the New Testament:

1. Matthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
   
2. Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
   
3. Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
   
4. Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
5. Mark 12:44 For all [they] did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
6. Mark 13:29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
7. Mark 14:30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
8. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
9. John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
10. John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
11. John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
12. John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
13. John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
14. John 14:17 even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
15. John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
16. Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
17. Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
18. Acts 5:37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
19. Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
20. Acts 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
21. Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
22. Romans 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
23. Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
24. Romans 9:10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
25. Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
26. 1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
27. 1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
28. 2 Corinthians 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
29. 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
30. 2 Corinthians 13:9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
31. Galatians 4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
32. Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
33. Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
34. Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
35. Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
36. Colossians 1:26 even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
37. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
38. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
39. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
40. 1 Timothy6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
41. 2 Timothy 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
42. Titus 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
43. Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
44. Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
45. Hebrews 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
46. James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
47. 1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
48. 1 Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
49. 1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
50. 1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
51. 1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
52. 1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
53. 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
54. 1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
55. 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
56. Revelation 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Please read the following:

• Getting John 1:12 Right: Should You Invite Jesus Into Your Heart? by Jim Elliff, Christian Communicators Worldwide and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
• Scriptural Evaluation of Salvation Invitations, by AWANA Clubs International (non-lordship salvation view)
• Beyond the Sinner’s Prayer: The Power of the Gospel of a Promise-Keeping God (Acts 13:38-43), by Ptr. Russell Moore, Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, on Vimeo
  
• Ten Reasons Not To Ask Jesus Into Your Heart, by Todd Friel
• Ask Jesus into your heart? by Hank Lindstrom (Calvary Community Church, Tampa, Florida)
• Seven Reasons NOT To Ask Jesus Into Your Heart, by Dennis M. Rokser, Duluth Bible Church, Minnesota
• Revelation 3:20 and the Offer of Salvation, by Daniel B. Wallace (professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary; his book “Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics” is currently used as a standard textbook in seminaries throughout the United States.)
• “What it means to accept Christ” by A.W. Tozer (That Incredible Christian)