All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13)

There is no other verse so despised by legalists and “works” preachers than these two. They just are beside themselves as to how to explain it.

Here’s what it means in Greek: All who call on the name of the lord will be saved.

And…… in every other language: All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

I recently heard a minister say “it’s not about a belief or a system of beliefs”( my last post). He was talking about alter calls and the fact that people are not saved by just walking down the aisle and saying a prayer.
I immediately thought of the many lost souls who knew nothing of scripture but were in great distress due to an illness or addiction, at the end of their rope and called out to Jesus for help AND WERE SAVED? We need go any farther than the thief on the cross who cried out “Lord Jesus remember me” and was promised by Christ that” today you will be with me”
THIS IS CHRISTS PROMISE TO ALL OF US WHO CALL ON HIS NAME.
The cross of Jesus and the two criminals hanging there with Him is a picture of fallen mankind; Those who call out to the lord, and those who reject Him.

Which one are you?

Many scholars and preachers don’t believe it’s that easy.

Look at the commentaries of two different scholars on this verse.

Matthew Henry’s commentary on Acts 2:21

2:14-21 Peter’s sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the fruit of Christ’s resurrection and ascension, and proof of both. Though Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake with tongues as the Spirit gave him utterance, yet he did not think to set aside the Scriptures. Christ’s scholars never learn above their Bible; and the Spirit is given, not to do away the Scriptures, but to enable us to understand, approve, and obey them. Assuredly none will escape the condemnation of the great day, except those who call upon the name of the Lord, in and through his Son Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of sinners, and the Judge of all mankind.

Gills commentary Acts 2:21
Notice what he adds to the meaning.

whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord; shall believe in the Lord Jesus Christ with the heart, and shall confess him with the mouth, and shall worship him in Spirit and in truth, and submit to all his ordinances and commands; for invocation of the Lord includes the whole of worship, internal and external:

shall be saved; or delivered from that temporal destruction which came upon the Jews, as the Christians were by removing from Jerusalem to Pella, as they were directed (u); and shall be saved with a spiritual and everlasting salvation by Jesus Christ.

Henry adds nothing and at the end says “Assuredly none will escape the condemnation of the great day, except those who call upon the name of the Lord, in and through his Son Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of sinners, and the Judge of all mankind.

Gill adds “and shall worship him in Spirit and in truth, and submit to all his ordinances and commands; for invocation of the Lord includes the whole of worship, internal and external”

The Spirit will work in us to do these things, but Christ doesn’t interview at the call and say “we’ll lets see, what kind of life have you been living” He already knows and is waiting for the call!

You see, man just can’t help but try to help God save us. God has already done the work in Jesus and is just waiting for the call. You can’t explain this verse away. It’s the same no matter the context. All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

We must understand that it all begins with God. We don’t suddenly get smart and call on the name of the Lord. It’s Gods Grace and mercy that moves the dead bones to come alive and call on Him. When you see these folks walking down the isle or a wayward soul in a shelter on his knees crying out to God, he’s been moved by God. Some say well how do we know if they really mean it. We don’t, but God does!

Think about it, when do you call on someone?

My friends God has told us that in the end times, He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh and that He is as close as that. When you call, He does the work and promises to move inside of you and make you His home. He promises!

Call on Him today friend and you will be saved.