Whosoever Shall Call Upon the Name of the Lord Shall Be Saved

Text: Acts 2:21

  I. Whosoever:
     1. Matthew 11:28-30; John 7:37; Matthew 16:24
     2. Revelation 22:17
     3. Joel did not prophesy unconditional salvation – 
        Man must call.
        a. Hebrews 5:9
        b. Revelation 22:14
        c. Acts 10:34-35
        d. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
     4. The Invitation is to individuals, not to nations as 
        such.
     5. The Invitation not to Jews only, but also to 
        Gentiles – Romans 10:12-13.
     6. The Invitation is to the rich, poor, learned, 
        unlearned, all races, and/or classes.

 II. Shall Call:
     A. Calling, not praying:
        1. God heareth not sinners – John 9:31.
        2. Psalms 66:18; Proverbs 15:8-9
        3. Isaiah 59:1-2
        4. 1 Peter 3:12
        5. Ananias found Saul praying – Acts 9:11; 22:14-
           16.
        6. Cornelius prayer heard – Acts 10:4, 31:
           a. He was not told that he had prayed through.
           b. He was not told to pray for salvation.
           c. Told to send for Peter who would tell him 
              Words Whereby He Should be Saved – Acts 
              11:14.
           d. Cornelius had to have the faith that came by 
              hearing God’s word – Acts 15:7.
           e. In order to have his heart purified by faith 
              – Acts 15:9.
           f. And to be saved by grace – Acts 15:11.
        7. Peter did not explain “calling” as “praying” to 
           the same audience on Pentecost.
           a. Hence, it is evident that calling on the 
              name of the Lord meant to appeal to God, to 
              depend on God, by submitting to his way of 
              salvation.
           b. To call on the Name of the Lord was equal to 
              obeying the gospel.
     B. Calling involves more than saying “Lord, Lord.”  
        Matthew 7:21-23
        1. Must “Do” will of the Father.
        2. Luke 6:46 - “Why call ye me “Lord, Lord” and do 
           not the things while I say.

III. Call upon the “Name” of the Lord.
     A. His name stands for Him.
        1. “Not simply upon him, but upon him as possessing 
           the attributes and sustaining to men the 
           relations of which his name in the index.” 
           (Hackett)
        2. “In the thought of the ancient world a name does 
           not merely distinguish a person from other 
           persons, but is closely related to the nature of 
           its bearer.”
        3. Hence, to call upon His name, is to call upon 
           Him as the Son of god who has offered himself to 
           save us.
        4. Acts 4:12

 IV. Shall be saved.
     1. Mark 16:15-16
     2. Acts 2:38
     3. Galatians 3:26-27
     4. Call upon Him or be lost.

  V. Pre-requisites for Calling on the Name of the Lord.
     1. Men must realize that they are sinners, who are in 
        danger and in need of salvation.
     2. Men must want to be saved.
     3. Men must hear the word – learn of him
     4. Men must believe on him – Romans 10:14.
     5. Men must repent - 
     6. Men must confess Christ - 
     7. May then be baptized for the remission of sins.

Conclusion:
   1. Have you called on the Name of the Lord?
      a. God calls us through the Gospel – 2 Thessalonians 
         2:13-14; 2 Corinthians 4:15; James 1:18.
      b. 1 Peter 1:22-23.
      c. 1 Peter 3:21
   2. Why not call on the name of the Lord today?

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