Calling on the name of the Lord
Often times people will
quote Romans
10:13 (“For whosoever shall call upon the name
of the Lord shall be saved.”) not
understanding what it means to “call on the name of the Lord” biblically. This
verse in Romans 10:13 is actually a quote of Joel 2:32. This is the same exact
verse the apostle Peter quoted in Acts
chapter 2 at the Day of Pentecost. (Acts
2:21)
In Acts
2, we see that after Peter quotes them the verse in Joel they still ask Peter, (in Acts
2:37) “Brothers,
what shall we do?” And Peter does not respond by telling them to say a
prayer. Peter does not lead them in any prayer! NO! Instead he tells them what
they must do to be saved. Peter gives them the answer mankind needs so
desperately to hear. Peter declared to them,
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."
40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded
with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those
who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand
were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:38-41)
The Bible tells us what it means “to call on the name of the
Lord”. To “call on the name of the Lord” is equated with repentance and
baptism into Christ’s name.
“Calling on the name of the Lord” being equated with baptism
is further reinforced in Acts
22:16--
“And
now what are you waiting for?
Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away,
calling on his name.'”
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
—James
1:22
This page last updated:
April 15, 2004