Calling On The Name Of The Lord

Joel prophesied, And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved... (Joel 2:32). Peter quoted this passage in Acts 2:16-21, showing that the time had come for the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. Of course, students of the New Testament must realize that there is more to calling on the name of the Lord than simply crying out, Lord, Lord. See Matt. 7:21; Luke 6:46. In fact, when those who heard Peter’s speech asked what to do (to call on the name of the Lord and be saved) Peter told them to Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Of course, they first had to hear the gospel, vs. 14, and believe it, vs. 36. This they did before they even asked their question. Faith, repentance and baptism. There is no other way to properly call on the name of the Lord.

As Saul of Tarsus had been instructed in the gospel, Acts 22:6-10, and showed evidence of faith and repentance, he was told, And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord (vs. 16). One cannot properly call on the name of the Lord without faith, repentance, and baptism.

As Paul discussed the method God uses to save folks from their sins, he also quoted from Joel 2:32, saying in Rom. 10:13, For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. In the context, he shows that calling on the name of the Lord involves hearing and believing the gospel, vs. 14, as well as having such a change of heart (repentance) as to publicly confess faith in Jesus as the Christ, vs. 9-10, followed by obeying the commands of the gospel, vs. 16, 19-21. Again, we note that there is no other way to properly call on the name of the Lord.

Dear reader, you today may call on the name of the Lord in the same way Peter’s audience did in Acts 2:36-41. The same way Paul did in Acts 22:6-16. As Paul taught others to do in Rom. 10:9-16. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.