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And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.          (Acts 2: 21)

What does this mean?

A large portion of the Christian community equates calling on the name of the Lord with prayer alone.  The Christian Broadcasting Network with Pat Robertson considers this and (Romans 10: 13) to be the basis of the “sinners prayer,” a prayer to accept Jesus into your heart to be saved. But is prayer all that is meant by calling on the name of the Lord?

Is calling on the name of the Lord always praying?

Then you shall call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  (Jeremiah 29: 12)

This verse suggests that there might be more to calling than just praying.

How did Abraham call on the name of the Lord?

Sometimes it is good to look at a term when first used.  It seems that Abraham called on the name of the Lord by offering a sacrifice. There is no mention of prayer in either passage.  Plain Talk does not deny that often calling on the name of the Lord often involves prayer but maintains that calling on the Lord can be done in other ways.  (Genesis 12: 8; 26: 25)

How can we test the validity of the sinner’s prayer?

We can test the validity in at least four ways.

• Paul’s conversion- When Paul was converted there was a period of time when he prayed and fasted for three days, yet he was not saved because his sins were not forgiven until he was baptized, calling on the name of the Lord.  If calling on the name of the Lord is only praying, why was Paul not saved? (Acts 9: 3-19; 22: 16)
• Jesus’ words- Jesus said that those who cry out, “Lord, Lord.” would not enter the kingdom of heaven unless they do the will of the Father. Clearing calling out the name of the Lord is not sufficient for salvation unless it is accompanied by obedience. (Matthew 7: 21)
• Examples of conversion- we find several records of conversions in the book of Acts of the Apostles but none include the sinner’s prayer.  In the conversions of the Samaritans Peter and John prayed that those who had been baptized might receive the Holy Spirit and they told Simon who had sinned to pray for forgiveness.  (Acts 8: 14- 24)
• Receive Jesus- we are told that Jesus is received upon believing in His name, not by praying.  (John 1: 11- 13)

When did men first call upon the Lord?

Men began to call upon the name of the Lord when Enosh was born to Seth.  Enosh in Hebrew means “frail” or “mortal.”  The experience of life showed Seth the true condition of man, how fragile he is and thus he began to call upon the name of the Lord. (Genesis 4: 26)

Why should we call upon the name of the Lord?

• To be saved  (Romans 10: 13)
• To receive succor and aid from the Lord  (Lamentations 3: 55- 56)
• To drink or partake the Lord  (Isaiah 55: 1, 6)
• To arouse oneself to take hold of the Lord  (Isaiah 64: 7)
• To enjoy the richness of the Lord  (Romans 10: 12)
• To participate in the Lord’s mercy  (Psalms 86: 5)

How do we call on the name of the Lord?

• With pure speech  (Zephaniah 3: 9)
• With a pure heart  (2 Timothy 2: 22)
• Vocally  (Psalms 88: 10)
• Submissively.  (Matthew 7: 21)

What does calling on the name of the Lord mean?

Calling on the name of the Lord is an appeal to the Lord for salvation, for help, for praise and for thanksgiving.  We are admonished that every thing we do, in word or deed, to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.  When we so do, we are calling upon the name of the Lord.  (Colossians 3: 17)

How do we know that calling on the name of the Lord is not limited to prayer?

Some may consider the two to be equivalent or praying to be a form of calling on the Lord but Jeremiah shows us that a distinction can be made.  (Jeremiah 29: 12)

How often should we call on the name of the Lord?

Daily-  (Psalms 88: 9)

The rest of our lives-  (Psalms 116: 2)

Who else in the Old Testament called on the name of the Lord?

Among the notables ones who called upon the Lord are:

• Abraham  (Genesis 13: 4)
• Isaac  (Genesis 26: 25)
• Samson  (Judges 16: 28)
• Samuel  (1 Samuel 12: 18)
• David  (2 Samuel 22: 7)
• Elijah  (1 Kings 18: 24)
• Jeremiah  (Lamentations 3: 55)

How did those in Acts 2: 21 call upon the name of the Lord?

And Peter said to them, “Repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  Acts 2: 38)

“And now why do you delay? Arise. And be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on Hid name.”  (Acts 22: 16)

They called on the name of the Lord when they obeyed by repentance and letting themselves be baptized in the name of the Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.  

How did Paul call upon the name of the Lord?

Paul called upon the name of the Lord when he was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  (Acts 22: 16)

What was Naaman’s idea of calling on the name of the Lord?

Naaman, the captain of the army of Aram, went to Elisha the prophet to be healed of his leprosy.  Elisha sent word that Haaman should go and dip seven times in the Jordan.  This made Naaman furious because he supposed that the prophet would come out to him, stand, call on the name of the Lord and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.  After a lesson in humility, he obeyed and was healed but many today want to be healed of their sins in the same way, much fanfare and gesturing.  (2 Kings 5: 11)

How does one call on the name of the Lord for salvation?

·         Believe- For "whoever will call one the name of the Lord will be save." How then shall they call upon in Him whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him in whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10: 13, 14)

·         Repent- Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having the seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness." (2 Timothy 2: 19)

·         Confess- That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord. and believe in your heart that Jesus raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confess, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him. (Romans 10: 9- 13)

·         Baptism- And now why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling in His name. (Acts 22: 16)

God Bless.

Arland  Pafford  

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