The Online Bible Class presents
RISE UP O MEN OF GOD!
CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD
by Burt Groves (Odessa, Texas)
Remember how Paul described himself to the gospel preacher, Timothy? “Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15 ASV). When Ananias, a hesitant but faithful Christian, came to instruct the believing, penitent Saul, he urged him,
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16 KJV).
When Saul responded to the gospel message, “calling on the name of the Lord,” was he providing an example of being saved by “the sinner’s prayer”?
Joel’s Promise
The prophet promised relief from locust plagues and oppression by idolatrous Gentiles. Miracles were to precede the fall of world powers and the victory of God’s kingdom. Limiting one’s study to Joel he might conclude that the blessings were for Israel only. Note the climax of Joel’s promise:
“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call” (Joel 2:32).
The Holy Spirit inspired the apostle Paul to quote part of Joel 2:32, but notice the divine use of the prophecy in Romans 10:13-17:
For whosoever shall call 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? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The deliverance from sin through calling on the name of the Lord is given to all who obey the gospel.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Jesus promised this baptism to His apostles shortly before His return to heaven.
”…For John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence” (Acts 1:5 ASV).
What He promised He performed (Acts 2:1-4). As Peter was preaching on the first Pentecost following the ascension of Jesus, He quoted from Joel 2:28-32; this is recorded in Acts 2:16-21:
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
This was not man’s message; it was God’s. The Holy Spirit gave Peter the words that he spoke (Acts 2:4). When the kingdom of Christ, His church (1 Timothy 3:15), began, God approved the message by the miracles of the apostles. Christians cannot escape God’s judgment by neglecting the great salvation
“…which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will” Hebrews 2:3-4).
The miracles have ceased because God’s word producing salvation and spiritual security have been fully revealed as Jesus promised (John 16:13; Revelation 22:18-19).
How They Called
The thousands who were about to be saved on that day did not understand that God’s grace would forgive and make them saints when they prayed to be saved. Rather, they continued to listen to the gospel which was climaxed by telling them that they were guilty of crucifying the one Savior, Christ Jesus (Acts 2:36). Then they asked what to do, and Peter explained,
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
Saul of Tarsus called on the Lord in the same way (Acts 22:16). He called on the name of the Lord in whom he had come to believe by repenting of his sins and submitting to Jesus’ command of baptism that his sins might be forgiven. Sinners are saved in the same way today. One calls on the name of the Lord by expressing love for the one Savior of all men by submitting to His authority, in obeying the gospel.
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