Articles
Calling On the Name of the Lord: Part Two
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We have established “calling on His name” means meeting the conditions of obedient faith. What, then, are the conditions for salvation under the New Testament? In other words, what constitutes calling on the name of the Lord?
Let us examine Acts 2.21 carefully. It should be noted here that this was at the beginning of Peter’s gospel sermon which included terms of forgiveness for the sinners present. Peter developed his sermon explaining the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ - the facts of the gospel. Next he convicted the hearts of many when he accused them of murdering the Christ. Consequently, those with pierced hearts responded, "...Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (2.37) It is interesting that these people even asked Peter such a question. Did he not begin his lesson exhorting them to call on the name of the Lord for salvation? Notice, however, how Peter responded: “...Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." (2.38). They did not interpret calling on the name of the Lord as merely praying or they would not have asked the question. Thus it is with these words that Peter interprets for us what he meant earlier. When one is baptized into Christ that is his calling on the name of the Lord for salvation, or his obedience to the gospel. Notice how the two verses perfectly connect: "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" is in complete harmony with "baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins". In fact, both actions obtain the same result: salvation. That these people were not already saved is evident by their asking what they should do and by the rest of the text: "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" (Acts 2.40-41).
Years later, when Saul obeyed the gospel, we read, "Immediately he [Saul] preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?" (Acts 9.20-21) When is it that they called on Him? It was after they heard the gospel and were convicted sinners (Acts 2.14-37) and it was prior to their being added to the church (Acts 2.41, 47). In fact, it was when they gladly received the word and were baptized in His name for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2.38, 41). This calling included faith, repentance and baptism. Furthermore, this calling was a non-verbal appeal in obedience for forgiveness of sin.
Someone argues, "What about Romans 10.13 where Paul wrote that 'whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved'?". The same principles can be established. Here Paul explains that calling on the name involves hearing and believing the gospel (14, 17), confession of faith (9-10) and obedience. Notice: "But they have not all obeyed the gospel..." (16). Take away any of the following ingredients: hearing, believing, confession of faith or obedience and you cannot accomplish Romans 10.13. It should also be noted that baptism is included in this obedience and calling. In Romans 6 Paul reminded them that their baptism was obedience from the heart (3-7, 16-18). Therefore, these Romans had obeyed the gospel or called on His name.
Finally, there is evidence that is so convincing that one would literally have to be dishonest with God's word to not concede the truth. Ananias said, "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22.16). Notice that Ananias connects baptism (obedience to God's will) with calling on the name of the Lord. In addition, notice that washing away of sins (salvation, forgiveness) is also connected with calling on the name of the Lord. These connections are parallel to the words of Peter and Paul (Acts 2.21; Rom. 10.13).
How exactly was Saul calling on the Lord in baptism? Remember that to call on the Lord is to invoke or appeal to Him for forgiveness and mercy and justification. This is exactly what Peter taught: "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3.21).
Several points can be made from this text. First, baptism saves; a truth that so many deny. Second, baptism is not for the removal of dirt from the flesh; one is not taking a bath. Third, it is an appeal (calling on, invoking) to God for a good conscience. One who is in sin has an evil conscience. One who has his sins washed away has a good conscience. Therefore, in baptism we call on the Lord to forgive us of our sins, to grant us a good conscience and to purify our souls (cf. 1 Peter 1.22). When Saul obeyed the command to be baptized thereby calling on His name, he was appealing to God for a washing-away of sin and a good conscience.
It is not uncommon to hear people say that all one must do to be saved is to say the "sinner's prayer". It is truly unfortunate that millions of people have said a prayer inviting Jesus into their hearts and yet there simply is no Scripture that teaches a sinner to pray for forgiveness. Only the child of God has that privilege and provision afforded him (1 John 1.9). It has been this writer's belief that the greatest lie ever told by Satan was not necessarily in the garden, though that certainly disrupted the harmony between God and man, but the lie that a sinner's salvation is obtained through non-obedient faith and prayer alone. Through Satan’s lie, the harmony once broken by sin may never be mended and millions could be lost. BG
