Read Acts 2:16-21 …
Long before the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the prophet Joel was looking forward to a time when the glorious reign of the Messiah would come to full flower in this world. Joel speaks of a time in the future when God will “pour out My Spirit on all flesh” (Joel 2:28) and, with the use of prophetic apocalyptic hyperbole, says this will be a time when all the world will see this remarkable occurrence. Then Joel tells us that “… it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (2:32). This idea of calling on the name of the Lord becomes a focal point for salvation so examining this phrase can be quite beneficial.
On the Passover that saw the crucifixion of Jesus the city of Jerusalem would have been teeming with people from across the Empire … as we are told in Acts 2:9-11. People from all the various countries listed witnessed the first sermon by an evangelist of the followers of Christ (who soon will earn the name “Christian” [Acts 11:26]). Because the apostles were speaking in tongues some people were saying that they were drunk. But Peter denies that accusation, telling those assembled that they are witnessing the events that Joel had prophesied. Then, Peter quotes the prophet: “And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21).
The phrase occurs again later in the 22nd chapter of Acts. Paul is making a defense to the people from the steps leading from the Temple grounds to the Antonia fortress, telling them about his blinding experience on the road to Damascus. Paul relates how he was visited by “a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there” (Acts 22:12) who told Paul that he had been chosen by God to be a witness to all men. Then Ananias told Paul, “… why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
So, as to the question of what does “calling on the name of the Lord” mean, one can see from these two examples of what the instruction does not mean. Peter told those listening in the Temple courts that calling on the name of the Lord was part of the response of those that Joel had prophesied would see this great event, and yet by the end of that sermon the hearers still asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). They were believers; they certainly would not have traveled – many of them great distances – unless they believed in the Lord God Almighty. Also, what about Paul? He was a believer in God before the event on the road, and in Damascus he was “three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank” (Acts 9:9) and he was praying (9:11). Surely all can agree that before Ananias visited him Paul was a penitent man and yet he was still instructed: “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).
Believers convicted of their sins still had to ask what they should do even after being told the time had come to call on the name of the Lord. A single believer convicted of his sins and praying fervently is still told to call on the name of the Lord. Yet, one still wonders what this phrase means. Perhaps another place will aid in understanding. Consider Paul standing before Felix and Agrippa making a defense for himself, both men agreeing that Paul has done nothing deserving of death, and then Felix says, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar” (Acts 22:32). The Greek word translated “appealed” is a form of the same word translated “called” in Acts 2:21 and 22:16. Looking at these instances together we come to understand that “calling on the name of the Lord” and appealing “to Caesar” have a similar foundation, and that foundation is built on authority. Calling on the name of the Lord means placing oneself under God’s authority by doing what God has commanded. It means recognizing that God, as the source of our salvation, is not only worthy to be worshipped but also to be obeyed.
In this we find that believing is not enough, being in the right place is not enough, being repentant is not enough, praying is not enough, but these things – along with baptism – is enough. Baptism is included as that point at which one places themselves squarely within the will of God, washing away their sins, and is a part of the action of “calling on the name of the Lord” that cannot be ignored.
the odd weekend preacher 