Studying the Bible -- What Does it Mean to Call on the Name of the Lord?

Some will argue that a person does not need to be baptized but they only have to "call on the name of the Lord." Then they usually tell the person to pray "The Sinner's Prayer."

Romans 10:13 does command us to call on the name of the Lord. In Romans 10 Paul is arguing that the Israelites failed to please God because they tried to establish their own righteousness by their own works but failed. The grace of God is needed for salvation. It is fruitless to seek salvation through one's own merits, yet something is required when we come to God in faith.

In Romans 10:9, belief and confession are required in order to have salvation. Some might ask, where does baptism belong? If Romans 10:9-10 contained the only instructions for salvation in the scriptures, a person would only need to believe and confess Jesus in order to be saved. But note, repentance is not mentioned in the passage either yet those who teach that you only have to pray the "Sinner's Prayer" will acknowledge the necessity of repentance.

Romans 10:13 is a quote from the Old Testament (Joel 2:28-32). This prophecy was fulfilled in Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost. Peter quotes the prophecy from Joel 2 in Acts 2:14-16. Peter, the inspired apostle, then told the audience that they were witnessing the fulfillment of this prophecy. Since this was fulfilled, the time when "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" had begun.

Now, in Romans 10:14-18 we know that we must believe in Jesus, confess His name, and call on Him in order to be saved. Since faith comes by the word of God (Romans 10:17), Peter needed to preach to this audience. In Acts 2, Peter did preach Jesus to the multitude. His conclusion was "This Jesus, whom you crucified, is Lord and Christ!" Notice the crowds reaction:
They heard God's word preached.
They believed what Peter said as evidenced by their reaction.
They asked Peter what to do. Remember the prophecy, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Peter did not tell them to pray "The Sinner's Prayer."
Peter did tell them to repent (which was not mentioned in Romans 10)
Peter did tell them to be baptized for the remission of sins.

Man is lost because of his sins. When a man's sins are removed, he is saved (Acts 2:40-41; 47). Peter told them to be baptized for the remission of sins. Note the comparison:
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 believed the word, repented of their sins, confessed Christ, and were baptized for the remission of their sins.

Paul followed the same example when he was baptized to wash away his sins, calling on the name of the Lord! (Acts 22:16) He was not baptized because he had called on the name of the Lord, nor was he baptized because his sins had already been washed away (read the verse-they had not). Baptism was the calling on the name of the Lord. It was the culmination of his response to Jesus' call.

To "call on the name of the Lord" is to call for help, to appeal to an authority who can assist. It is more than a verbal acknowledgement of Jesus' lordship (Matthew 7:21-23) but is a response in obedience to the gospel.

Suggested Reading: "Is Baptism a work?"


References: (King James version)

Romans 10:1-17     Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. ⁵For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; ⁹That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 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. ¹³For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ¹⁴How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? ¹⁷So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ¹⁸But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."

Acts 2:14-16     "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; "

Acts 2:16-21 (Joel 2:28-32)     "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Acts 2:36-41     "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, 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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. ⁴⁰And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

Acts 2:47     "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Acts 22:16     "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

Matthew 7:21-23     "Not every on 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. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity."