Calling on the Name of the Lord

I. Argument: Some will argue that a person does not need to be baptized, all they need to do is “call on the name of the Lord.” They then usually tell the person that to do this they need to pray “The Sinner’s Prayer.”

II. Proof Text: Romans 10:13

III. Analysis of Romans 10:1-13

A. Israel did not keep the law completely and earn justification (see v.5).

B. Israel then tried to establish their own righteousness but failed because no one can earn salvation on his own merits.

C. God’s commands: Do and live Man’s attempts: Failure Theoretically it was possible for a man to live perfectly and earn his salvation, but it was not probable and, in fact, only one person lived perfectly under the Law, Jesus. Therefore, all needed the grace of God to save them because they did not do all that was commanded so they could live.

D. The righteousness of Christ is not based on man’s merits.

E. Verses 6-7 show the futility of man trying to find it. The righteousness through Christ is obtained by faith.

F. Yet something is required.

G. Belief, v.9. Confession, v.9 One might ask, “Where does baptism belong?” If Romans 10:9-10 was all that was said regarding salvation in the scriptures, a person would need only believe and confess Jesus in order to be saved. Note that repentance is not mentioned in this passage, yet those who would teach “all you have to do is pray the Sinner’s Prayer” readily acknowledge that one must repent of their sins.

IV. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved,” v. 13.

A. Notice this is in italics in most Bibles which indicates that this is a quote.

B. This is from a prophesy by Joel in Joel 2:28-32. Since this is a prophesy we should look for a fulfillment in the scriptures to know when this time began.

C. Acts 2:14-16 records the prophesy as retold by Peter.

D. Explain situation Peter told the multitude that what they were seeing and hearing was prophesied by Joel and is being fulfilled. Since this is being fulfilled, from this time on “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

E. HOLD PLACE, read Romans 10:14-18.

F. Have to hear about Jesus in order to believe on Him, confess His name, and call on Him. That faith comes by the word of God (Romans 10:10) not by some miraculous intervention. The faith comes from the word of God, which is the gospel that was proclaimed to the earth. So, in order to call on Jesus, one must believe Him. In order to believe Him one must hear of Him. And one hears of Him through the word of God.

G. Back in Acts 2 we see that Peter preaches Jesus to the crowd so that their hearing produces belief so that they will call on the name of the Lord.

H. Peter’s message:

I. Jesus had the evidence of miracles to support his claims. You killed Jesus but God raised Him up. He was the promised Messiah, and was raised to sit at the right hand of the Father. Peter’s Conclusion: This Jesus, whom you crucified, is Lord and Christ!

J. The crowd’s reaction:

K. They heard the message. They believed what Peter said (notice their reaction).

L. They asked Peter what to do.

M. Remember the prophesy, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” He didn’t tell them to pray the Sinner’s Prayer. He did tell them to repent (which was not in Romans 10).He did tell them to be baptized for the remission of sins.

N. Man is lost because of his sins.

O. Peter told them to be baptized for the remission of sin. When sins are removed, the person is saved (see also v.40-41, 47)

P. Note the comparison:

Q. Joel: Call on the name of the Lord => Saved. Peter: Repent and be baptized => Saved How did they “call on the name of the Lord?” They repented and were baptized.

V. Where does baptism belong?

A. It was earlier asked, “Where does baptism belong?”

B. Men try to put it into men’s works. Peter puts it under God’s works.

C. Baptism is not an attempt to earn one’s salvation, it is obedience to “calling on the name of the Lord.”

D. Romans 10: How can they call without the word of God to tell them how? Acts 2: Baptism was part of the calling. Acts 22:16 – “Be baptized calling on the name of the Lord.”

E. Definition: To call to one for help, and appeal to authority for assistance.

F. It goes beyond a verbal acknowledgement to all that God requires in order for us to have remission of sins, and thus, salvation.

G. More than just a verbal acknowledgement, Matthew 7:21-23