Calling Upon God

The Bible teaches that salvation is God’s gift to all those who obey him, “And having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9). The Bible also teaches that there is only one name by which men and women can be saved, the name of Jesus our Lord, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”(Acts 4:12).

God reveals to us through the Scriptures that only those who obey him by seeking salvation in the Name of Jesus are going to be saved. All people must call upon the name of Jesus in order to be saved, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). What does it mean to “call on the name of the Lord”? Does it mean to say “Jesus, Jesus” aloud and God will save us? Could it mean saying “Jesus come into my heart”? Jesus stated, “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Only those who obey the will of God and call upon Jesus’ name will be saved.

The book of Acts shows an example of what it truly means to “call on the name of the Lord”. Saul of Tarsus was traveling to Damascus to persecute Christians in that city. On his way, Jesus appeared to him, causing Saul to fall on his knees in fear, Acts 9:1-8 and 22:6-11. Saul states in Acts 22:10 “What shall I do, Lord”, clearly recognizing and submitting to Jesus as Lord and God. Jesus answered saying “Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do”. Saul, falling to his knees, believing in Jesus, and recognizing Jesus as Lord, was not saved at this time. In Damascus, a Christian taught Saul the following words that Jesus said were “appointed for him to do”: “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name”(Acts 22:16). We see from this passage that baptism, which washes away our sins, is how we “call on the name of the Lord.”

Remembering that our obedience is necessary for our salvation (Hebrews 5:9), we understand why Saul of Tarsus, or the Apostle Paul, was baptized for the washing away of his sins. Jesus stated, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned”(Mark 16:16). The person who believes and is baptized is the one who will be saved. Without baptism, which is how we call upon God, we cannot be saved.

Are you saved? Have you believed in Jesus and been baptized for the washing away of your sins? Please consider fully the Biblical doctrine of baptism and be obedient to Jesus Christ our Lord.