Calling On The Name Of The Lord

Romans 10:9-13

Many people teach that all one has to do to be saved is to “call on the name of the Lord.” This is a very irresponsible interpretation of the scripture, as it would neglect other scriptures that teach about repentance and the need for baptism. (Acts 2:38, I Peter 3:21)

First, we must look at the context of this scripture. The Jews believed that a Gentile would first have to become a Jew before becoming a Christian. Paul taught against this thinking by emphasizing that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” He also says, “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile.” He is not emphasizing what has to be done to be saved. He already covered that in earlier chapters, where he taught about faith and baptism. (Ch. 5-6) Instead, Paul was emphasizing who could be saved – Jew and gentile.

But what does it mean to call on the name of the Lord?

The phrase, “Calling on the name of the Lord,” can be found all over the Bible – Old and New Testament. It is an idiom, or an expression where its meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements. For example, people may say, “My grandmother kicked the bucket.” We understand that to mean that their grandmother died; not that she literally kicked a bucket.

Genesis 4:26; 12:8; 13:4; 21:33; 26:25

People called on the name of the Lord throughout the Old Testament. This was far before Jesus came, and definitely before He died on a cross. Therefore, the phrase cannot be interpreted as the modern-day practice of praying Jesus in your heart. After all, Paul referred to his baptism as “calling on His name.” (Acts 22:16)

What does the expression mean? It simply means that one has chosen God, and has decided to make Him their Lord. It is not to be taken literally, and should not take the place of one’s need to have faith, to repent, and to be baptized.

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