“Calling Upon The Name Of The Lord” — A Question
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA querist asks, In Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13, we see the phrase, “calls on the name of the Lord.” My question is, How do we “call on the name of the Lord” and what does this phrase mean relative to our salvation?
In Romans 10:13-14, the text reads:
“For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?“
Notice that these verses clearly indicate that “calling upon the name of the Lord” is not the same thing as believing in the Lord. Many sincere religious folks assume that “calling upon the name of the Lord” is simply professing faith in Christ, however, according to the above passage, this phrase is clearly dependent upon believing first.
Turning to Acts 22:16, we read these words:
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.“
Note that the same author of the book of Romans (Paul) is the one who is speaking in Acts 22:16. How does the inspired writer Paul define “calling upon the name of the Lord?” He simply states:
“Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.“
Turning to Acts 2:21, we find the same process as Peter quotes Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:32) which states:
“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.“
Now let us note the text in Acts 2:40-41:
“And with many other words he testified and exhorted them saying, Be saved from this perverse generation. Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.“
After a comparison of the above passages, the only logical conclusion that one can come to is that these folks were saved “when” they were baptized for the remission of sins which is equal to the act of “calling upon the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
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