The profound, prophetic
promise of Joel was pronounced by the apostle Peter, "And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name
of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32). Paul repeated it
in Romans 10:13. Any object of the prophets and subject of the apostles dealing
with salvation is worthy of conscientious consideration and evaluation. For
that reason, we shall study this timely text.
Text version:
The Time
What period of time is it when
men shall call on the name of the Lord and be saved?
(1) It was not during Joel's
day for he said, "And it shall come
to pass afterward" (Joel 2:28).
(2) It was not during the
personal ministry of Jesus on earth. Jesus, after His resurrection but before
His ascension, said that repentance and remission of sins in His name was yet
to be preached, but He implied that it was to commence soon (Lk. 24:47-49).
(3)
The time is now: "Today is the day
of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). It has been since the day of Pentecost in
Acts 2; Peter said, "This is that
which was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:16-21). Jesus told the
apostles they would preach salvation in His name when they received "power
from on high" (Lk. 24:46-49; Acts 1:8); that is, "after the Holy Ghost is come upon you." In Acts 2, the
Spirit and the power came. But power to do what? Power to preach remission of
sins in the name of Jesus the Christ. So, Acts 2 marks "the beginning at Jerusalem" (cf. Lk. 24:47; Acts 11:15).
Since then (not before), and until the last trump shall signal the end of this
present world, the time for calling on His name extends.
The People
Who are the people included in
this sublime and glorious invitation? Some of God's covenants with men have
been exclusive.
(1) Not everyone, for example,
was included in the covenant of circumcision or the Sabbath (Ex. 31:17; Deut.
5:3).
(2) The Jews were the ones to
hear the message of the "limited commission," as it has been called,
not the Gentiles or Samaritans (Matt. 10:5).
(3) However, all men may call
on the name of the Lord and be saved - "For
whosoever shall call . . . ." That was Paul's emphasis in Romans when
he cited our text, "For there is no difference between the Jew and the
Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him"
(Rom. 10:12). "Every creature,"
"all nations," whosoever will" - these and other similar
utterances reveal that all men everywhere are amenable to the gospel appeal.
The scriptural summons is as broad as God's grace, as deep as His love and as
high as His mercy.
The Action
What action is intended by the
words "call on the name of the Lord"?
(1) It does not mean that
nothing is to be done. To call on the name of the Lord implies something.
Salvation is conditioned upon one's calling; hence, there is something one must
do to be saved.
(2) It does not mean to say,
"Lord, Lord," to cry to Him without obeying His word. Jesus said, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do
not the things which I say?" (Lk. 6:46). It is true that calling on
the name of the Lord will save, but, "Not
everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven"
(Matt. 7:21). Thus, whatever calling on His name is, it is not done by saying,
"Lord, Lord." According to Jesus, the one who obeys Him is the one
who calls on His name.
(3) Since Peter first
announced that "whosoever shall call
on the name of the Lord shall be saved," it is proper that we allow
him to explain what he meant. When his audience believed, they cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we
do?" They knew that whosoever would call on the Lord's name would be
saved; now, they desire to know what to do to call on His name. So, Peter says,
"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). This harmonizes with
what the believing, penitent Saul was told, "And
now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling
on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). Since there is no salvation in
any other name under heaven (Acts 4:12), we must appeal to His authority,
submit to His will, and obey His word (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15,16). Have you
been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the remission
of sins, calling on His name?
The Result
What is the result, the
consequence, of calling on His name?
(1) The aim is not carnal or
worldly. It will not procure or assure physical health or social and economic
stability.
(2) The effect will not insure
against future sin and ruin (1 Cor. 9:27; Gal. 5:4,7; Heb. 10:26-29; 2 Pet.
2:20-22).
(3) The purpose of the calling is that one "shall be saved." Oh, what a glorious thought. What a
wonderful knowledge! Every sin, every stain and blot on the soul is washed away
by the blood of Christ in the power of His holy name.
"Shall be saved" is
equivalent to "the remission of sins," or "that your sins may be blotted out" (Cf. Acts 2:21, 38;
3:19). Jesus said, "He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mk. 16:16). Jesus said, "remission of sins" was to be
preached "in His name" (Lk. 24:47). Thus, the one who believes on
His name and repents and is baptized in His name "for the remission of
sins," "shall be saved" (Cf. Acts 2:21, 38; 10:43).
What inexpressible joy should
flood the souls of all who are saved. Are you saved? Have you called on His
name as He directs? Before time gasps and dies, before that awesome Judgment
day shall find us before the bar of God, will you not call on the name of the
Lord and be saved? Do not pillow your head tonight before you resolve your
soul's salvation. Call on the living, loving name of the Lord and be saved
while you have the time and opportunity.
Guardian of Truth XXIX: 3, pp. 70, 84
Larry Ray Hafley
February 7, 1985
