Calling on the Name of the Lord

On the day of Pentecost, the first gospel sermon was preached following the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. Peter identified Jesus as the Messiah and announced the promise of salvation. This is important for us because the same promise is available today. We need to understand Peter’s message – what was the promise and how to take advantage of it.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy

• The incredible scene on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-7)
• Prior to this, Jesus was crucified, buried, raised, and ascended to heaven (Luke 23:33-24:12; Acts 1:9)
• Some responded to what they were witnessing with mockery (Acts 2:13)
• Peter answered their charge by citing a prophecy that was being fulfilled before them (Joel 2:28-32) – the prophet used some figurative and apocalyptic language that Peter clearly connected with Pentecost
• The promise of the prophecy – “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered” (Joel 2:28); or as Peter quoted it, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21)

Peter’s Explanation

• People today may have different ideas when they hear the command to call on the name of the Lord – this is because of what they have been taught (ex: pray a sinner’s prayer, invite Jesus into your heart, accept Him as your Savior, etc.)
• The people in the audience on Pentecost had no idea what Peter meant – he convicted them of crucifying the Messiah (Acts 2:36); so they asked what they needed to do (Acts 2:37); Peter already told them (Acts 2:21), but what did that mean?
• Peter explained what it meant – repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38); this promise was for ALL (Acts 2:39)

The Gospel Invitation

• Peter said more than just what was recorded – he used “many other words” to tell them to “be saved from this perverse generation” (Acts 2:40); they could be saved by calling on the name of the Lord, which included repentance and baptism
• This is why we repeatedly see baptism mentioned in the conversion accounts in the book of Acts (Acts 8:12, 35-38; 9:18; 10:48; 16:30-33; 18:8; 19:1-5) – when Paul recounted his conversion, he specifically connected baptism and calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16)
• This is also why Peter made the statement that “baptism now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21) – in baptism, we make an appeal to God for a good conscience; we are asking Him to remove our sins (Colossians 2:12); the saving work is His, not ours

The Work of Evangelism

• Paul quoted this statement in his letter to the Romans (Romans 10:13) – whatever it meant to call on the name of the Lord, these brethren had already done it (Romans 6:17); they became dead to sin, were baptized into Christ, and were walking in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4, 11)
• However, this message was meant to be taken to others (Romans 10:14-15) – this is why we continue to preach the gospel today
• But we need to make sure we are teaching the same message as the apostles (Galatians 1:6-9) – we have a divine obligation to speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11); we need to teach people to call on the name of the Lord (Acts 2:21), but we must explain that correctly (Acts 2:37-38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21)

Conclusion

• God sent His Son to earth to die on the cross for our sins – because of this, forgiveness and salvation are possible
• But we need to know how to take advantage of God’s promises – by calling on the name of the Lord