"WHOSOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF

THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED"

By David J. Riggs

The above expression from the Word of God is found in Acts 2:21 and Rom. 10:13 and is a quotation out of the Old Testament from Joel 2:32. It is one of today's much abused passages. It is often quoted over the radio and television, at funerals and religious gatherings and so forth, and is used in the sense that one only needs to ask the Lord to save him and that is all that is necessary. However, is that the only things involved in being saved--just saying in one's heart, "Lord save me," or "Lord, I accept you as my personal Savior"? Rom. 6:16-17 says, "But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." Thus, obedience from the heart is necessary to be set free from sin.

According to the prophet Joel the blessing of calling on the name of the Lord and being saved was to be afforded in the last days (See Joel 2:28-32). Peter quoted Joel's words in Acts 2 and from his application we learn what is involved in calling on the name of the Lord. The apostles had received the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit and some accused them of being full of new wine. Peter said they were not drunk as some supposed, but this was that which was spoken by the prophet Joel (Acts 2:14-16). He then quoted Joel's words form Joel 2:28-32 ending it with the expression, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (See Acts 2:17-21).

Peter continued by showing that the Jews present were guilty of crucifying the Savior (Acts 2:22-23). He then proclaimed that God had raised Jesus from the dead and made Him both Lord and Christ (Verses 25-37). They were convicted in their hearts and said, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter answered, "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." (Verses 37-38). They obeyed Peter words (verse 41) and "the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (verse 47).

Therefore, in the last days men would have opportunity to call on the name of the Lord and be saved as was prophesied by the prophet Joel. Peter showed that those days began on the day of Pentecost. On that day men called on the name of the Lord by obeying the Lord and He added them to His church.

Saul of Tarsus called on the name of the Lord in his obedience to the Lord. When he saw the vision on the road to Damascus, he said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" The Lord said, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." (Acts 9:6). Ananias was sent to Saul and he said to him, "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). Thus, in his obedience in baptism he was calling on the name of the Lord. 1 Pet. 3:21 says, "And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you (not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (NASV). Consequently, in baptism one appeals to God (calls on His name) for a good conscience.

What's involved, therefore, in the expression, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved"? Obedience to the commands of the Lord! One of those commands is baptism as is shown by those who first had opportunity to call and be saved, by Saul of Tarsus, and by other passages in the New Testament. A person hasn't truly called on the name of the Lord until he has obeyed the Lord. Jesus said, "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46).