T. Sean Sullivan

Introduction:

What does it mean to "call on the name of the Lord"?  Again, the other day, I ran across a small pamphlet that was supposed to be explaining the truth of salvation. These are very typical to be found in waiting rooms and other public places.  According to that pamphlet, all I need to do to be saved is "call on the name of the Lord". According to them, I could accomplish this requirement through a "sinner's prayer". We cannot argue against "calling on the name of the Lord"; it is required. Three scriptures plainly attach this action to our salvation.  Let's open the scriptures together to properly understand what it means to "call on the name of the Lord".  Let's seek to know what is involved in being saved.

Calling on the Name of the Lord in Acts 2:21

Acts 2:21 is the first New Testament use of this phrase.  The setting is the first Pentecost after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus.  The promised sign came upon the apostles with the noise of a mighty wind (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4).  Many people were alarmed over it.  To calm the crowd and teach them what this all meant, Peter stood and began to preach (Acts 2:14).

Peter used the prophecy of Joel to explain what was happening (Acts 2:16-21).  The hope of salvation was proclaimed, within this prophecy, with the words, "And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."  This prophecy had stood for some 800 years, until this Day of Pentecost, and now they were witnessing its promise being fulfilled.  Peter continued to preach so that He might clarify the necessities of that prophecy, and we must follow the context to learn what was involved in this hope of salvation.

He taught that the Messiah was Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 2:22-24).  He taught that Jesus was raised to the right hand of God (Acts 2:32-35).  He confronted them with their responsibility in the death of the Messiah (Acts 2:36). When they understood what had happened, they desperately wanted to be saved from their sin.  This is where Peter explains the requirements of "calling on the name of the Lord"-the requirements of being saved.  Peter instructed them to repent and be baptized in "the name of Jesus Christ" for the remission of sins.

Here, in Acts 2, we learn that to call on the name of the Lord is to follow His instructions to be saved.  These instructions at verse 38 fit Peter's reference from the prophet Joel, "calling on the name of the Lord" (v.21).  To call on Jesus' name is to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins "in the name of" or "by the authority" of Jesus.

Calling on the Name of the Lord in Acts 22:16

The church had been through some very difficult times, and much of the cause of this trouble was one notorious character named Saul of Tarsus (Acts 7:58; 8:1-3).  Saul was determined to seek out and destroy the cause of Christ (Acts 22:4-5).  While travelling in this pursuit, he was surrounded by a great light (Acts 22:6).  He alone heard and understood the voice of Jesus (Acts 22:7-9).  He was instructed to go to Damascus and wait for instructions (Acts 22:10-11).  As he waited for his instructions, Paul prayed and fasted (Acts 9:9, 11).

God sent Ananias to teach Paul how to be saved and also to relate to Paul all that he was going to do for the Lord's cause.  When Ananias arrived, he first healed Paul's eyes (Acts 22:13).  Then he instructed Paul in the way of salvation and said, "Why are you waiting?  Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."  According to Acts 22, calling on the name of the Lord is following the instructions of Jesus.  We can clearly see that Paul had repented; he ceased from his mission and submitted himself to the Lord.  Ananias instructed him to be baptized for the purpose of washing away his sins.  Repenting and being baptized "in the name of" or "by the authority" of Jesus.

Calling on the Name of the Lord in Romans 10:13

Paul was writing to the brethren in Rome about many things.  Among his subjects is the hope of salvation.  In chapter 10, Paul discusses his great desire for his fellow countrymen to be saved.  They have not applied themselves to knowing God's will (vs. 1-3).  He declared the hope of their salvation (vs. 4-8).  The requirements to be met, one of which is our phrase, "calling on the name of the Lord" (v.13).

Paul's instructions for being saved are clear:  Listen to the word of faith-the gospel (vs. 4-8; Romans 1:16).  Confess Jesus as Lord (v. 9a).  Our confession of Jesus declares our faith (v.10b).  Believe with all your heart that God raised Him from the dead (v. 9b).  Our belief ties to our willingness to seek God's instructions in righteousness (v. 10a; v.11).  All of the actions Paul speaks of in this chapter are tied to following the instructions of God's word.  The word provides our evidence for Jesus as the Son of God (John 20:30-31).  The word is our instruction in righteousness; we cannot be righteous without following His instructions (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Romans 10:17 declares that the source of faith is the word of God.

According to Romans 10:1-17, we learn even more about what it involves with the phrase "call on the name of the Lord":  Some have attempted to narrow the requirements of salvation down to the one action of "confessing".  That is not what Paul does.  The hope of salvation proclaimed in this chapter is no different than anywhere else in the scriptures; it is based on active faith that is permanently attached to all the instructions of God's word.  So, we learn that "calling on the name of the Lord" is not just a beckon or an invitation; it is a submission to all of His instructions and a yielding to His authority.

Conclusion:

Many people falsely maintain a "hope of salvation."  This is not a judgmental statement.   When we fail to do what God expects, we cannot receive His hope of salvation.  We must abide in the word to know the truth (John 8:31-32).  We must rightly divide the word to know the truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  We must actively obey the word to know God's rewards (Hebrews 10:35-39).  It is not unusual for our fellowman to try to find shortcuts, but there is no shortcut for salvation.  Jesus has revealed the true plan of salvation for all of us to know and obey.  Will you obey His plan even now, "calling" on His name?