Calling On The Name Of The Lord “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Ro.10:13)

Max Lucado: “Up Words” – KJAK Lubbock, TX December 1996 Invited The Listening Audience To Join In The Following Prayer: “Father, I give you my heart; I give you my sins. I give you my tears; I give you my fears; I give you my whole life. I accept the gift of your Son on the cross for my sins; And I ask you, Father, to receive me as your child. Through Jesus, I pray…[AMEN]”

(after a brief announcement from his sponsor, Max Lucado continued…) “If today is the first day you’ve ever prayed a prayer like that, could you do me a favor? Could you write me a letter? I don’t have anything I’m going to ask from you… I do have a letter I would like to send you. I’d like to give you a word or two about the next step or two… I want to encourage you to find a church. I want to encourage you to be baptized. I want to encourage you to read your Bible. But I don’t want you to do any of these things, so that you will be saved… I want you to do all of that because you are saved!”

Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer Luke 18:13 9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer Luke 18:13 11 "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'

Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer Luke 18:13 13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!‘ 14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

The Abuse of Luke 18:13 Corrected Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer The Abuse of Luke 18:13 Corrected Parable to “some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others” (v.9) The point of the prayer is recognition of the need of forgiveness - not how alien sinner is to be saved

The Abuse of Luke 18:13 Corrected Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer The Abuse of Luke 18:13 Corrected The tax collector was under the Law of Moses Already in a covenant relationship with God (1Jo.1:7,9) Don’t have the totality of his obedience recorded (Le.4:27,28,35) We are not under the same law (Co.2:14)

John 1:12 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer John 1:12 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:12 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer John 1:12 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The Abuse of John 1:12 Corrected Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer The Abuse of John 1:12 Corrected To them (as many as received Him) He gave the right to become children of God To those who: 1) Believe in His name 2) Were born… of God Born of God = Born again - of water and the Spirit (Jo.3:3-5)

John 3:3-5 (3) Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.“

John 3:3-5 (3) Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.“ (5) Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

John 3:3-5 (3) Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.“ (5) Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

The Abuse of John 1:12 Corrected Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer The Abuse of John 1:12 Corrected To them (as many as received Him) He gave the right to become children of God To those who: 1) Believe in His name 2) Were born… of God Born of God = Born again -of water and the Spirit (Jo.3:3-5) Born of the Spirit = Begotten or born through the Word (Js.1:18) (1Pe.1:22-23)

James 1:18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

James 1:18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (KJV)

James 1:18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (KJV)

1 Peter 1:22-23 (22) Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, (23) having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

1 Peter 1:22-23 (22) Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, (23) having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

The Abuse of John 1:12 Corrected Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer The Abuse of John 1:12 Corrected To them (as many as received Him) He gave the right to become children of God To those who: 1) Believe in His name 2) Were born… of God Born of God = Born again -of water and the Spirit (Jo.3:3-5) Born of the Spirit = Begotten or born through the Word (Js.1:18) (1Pe.1:22-23) Born of Water = Water Baptism in His name (Ac.10:47)

Acts 10:47-48 47 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"

Acts 10:47-48 47 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"

Acts 10:47-48 47 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"

Acts 10:47-48 47 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

The Abuse of John 1:12 Corrected Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer The Abuse of John 1:12 Corrected To them (as many as received Him) He gave the right to become children of God To those who: 1) Believe in His name 2) Were born… of God Born of God = Born again -of water and the Spirit (Jo.3:3-5) Born of the Spirit = Begotten or born through the Word (Js.1:18) (1Pe.1:22-23) Born of Water = Water Baptism in His name (Ac.10:47) Newness of life (Ro.6:4) - Made sons of God (Ga.3:26-27)

Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer Sons of God - (Gal.3:26-27) 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer Sons of God - (Gal.3:26-27) 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Sons of God - (Gal.3:26-27) You Are: For = Because: You… Were: Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer Sons of God - (Gal.3:26-27) You Are: sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus For = Because: (gar: properly assigning a reason) You… Were: baptized into Christ

How do we become children of God? (Gal.3:26-27) You Are Sons of God through faith - Because - You Were Baptized into Christ - Thus - You Have Put on Christ

YOU YOU Sons of God - (Gal.3:26-27) Therefore - Are Were Have Are Were Sons of God (through faith) Because Were Baptized into Christ Thus Have Put on Christ Therefore - YOU Are Not Sons of God (through faith) Because Were Not Baptized into Christ Thus Have Not Put on Christ

The Abuse of John 1:12 Corrected Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer The Abuse of John 1:12 Corrected To them (as many as received Him) He gave the right to become children of God To those who: 1) Believe in His name 2) Were born… of God Born of God = Born again -of water and the Spirit (Jo.3:3-5) Born of the Spirit = Begotten or born through the Word (Js.1:18) (1Pe.1:22-23) Born of Water = Water Baptism in His name (Ac.10:47) Newness of life (Ro.6:4) - Made sons of God (Ga.3:26-27)

The Abuse of John 1:12 Corrected Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer The Abuse of John 1:12 Corrected To them (as many as received Him) He gave the right to become children of God To those who: 1) Believe in His name 2) Were born… of God Born of God = Born again -of water and the Spirit (Jo.3:3-5) Born of the Spirit = Begotten or born through the Word (Js.1:18) (1Pe.1:22-23) Born of Water = Water Baptism in His name (Ac.10:47) Newness of life (Ro.6:4) - Made sons of God (Ga.3:26-27) (Baptized)

Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

The Abuse of Rev.3:20 Corrected Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer The Abuse of Rev.3:20 Corrected These words are addressed to the church (Re.1:11) (Re.3:14, 22)

Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer Revelation 1:11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."

Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer Revelation 3:14,22 14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'

The Abuse of Rev.3:20 Corrected Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer The Abuse of Rev.3:20 Corrected These words are addressed to the church (Re.1:11) (Re.3:14, 22) The church is the body of the saved (Ac.2:47)(Ep.5:23)

Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer Acts 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

The Abuse of Rev.3:20 Corrected Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer The Abuse of Rev.3:20 Corrected These words are addressed to the church (Re.1:11) (Re.3:14, 22) The church is the body of the saved (Ac.2:47)(Ep.5:23)

The Abuse of Rev.3:20 Corrected Examining Some “Proof” Texts For The Sinner’s Prayer The Abuse of Rev.3:20 Corrected These words are addressed to the church (Re.1:11) (Re.3:14, 22) The church is the body of the saved (Ac.2:47)(Ep.5:23) Christians are not the subject of our query We are considering the salvation of one outside Christ This passage does not pertain to initial salvation

What Does It Really Mean? Calling On The Name Of The Lord What Does It Really Mean? The admonition: (Ps.145:18) “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth”

What Does It Really Mean? Calling On The Name Of The Lord What Does It Really Mean? The admonition: (Ps.145:18) “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth”

What Does It Really Mean? Calling On The Name Of The Lord What Does It Really Mean? “Calling On The Name Of The Lord” ἐπικαλέω (epikaleo): to call upon, to invoke; to call upon for one’s self, in one’s behalf: any one as a helper, i. e. to appeal to one, make appeal unto. (Thayer #1941)

What Does It Really Mean? Calling On The Name Of The Lord What Does It Really Mean? “Calling On The Name Of The Lord” ἐπικαλέω (epikaleo): to call upon, to invoke; to call upon for one’s self, in one’s behalf: any one as a helper, i. e. to appeal to one, make appeal unto. (Thayer #1941) (Ac.2:21) (Ac.25:11,12,21,25) (Ac.26:32) (Ac.28:19)

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on (epikaleo) the name of the LORD Shall be saved.'

Acts 25:11 11 "For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to (epikaleo) Caesar."

Acts 25:12 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed to (epikaleo) Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!"

Acts 25:21 21 "But when Paul appealed to (epikaleo) be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar."

Acts 25:25 25 "But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to (epikaleo) Augustus, I decided to send him.

What Does It Really Mean? Calling On The Name Of The Lord What Does It Really Mean? “Calling On The Name Of The Lord” ἐπικαλέω (epikaleo): to call upon, to invoke; to call upon for one’s self, in one’s behalf: any one as a helper, i. e. to appeal to one, make appeal unto. (Thayer #1941) (Ac.2:21) (Ac.25:11,12,21,25) (Ac.26:32) (Ac.28:19) To invoke, or appeal to God’s authority, seeking His blessings - namely, the forgiveness of sins.

Revealed in what the Romans had done Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in what the Romans had done What had the Romans done? Repented - “died to sin” (Ro.6:2,11-13)

Calling On The Name Of The Lord Romans 6:2 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

Calling On The Name Of The Lord Romans 6:11-13 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

Revealed in what the Romans had done Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in what the Romans had done What had the Romans done? Repented - “died to sin” (Ro.6:2,11-13) Baptized - “buried” & “raised” (vv.4-5)

Calling On The Name Of The Lord Romans 6:4-5 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

Revealed in what the Romans had done Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in what the Romans had done What had the Romans done? Repented - “died to sin” (Ro.6:2,11-13) Baptized - “buried” & “raised” (vv.4-5) What did Paul call this?

Calling On The Name Of The Lord Romans 6:17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

Revealed in what the Romans had done Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in what the Romans had done What had the Romans done? Repented - “died to sin” (Ro.6:2,11-13) Baptized - “buried” & “raised” (vv.4-5) What did Paul call this? “Obeyed … that form of doctrine” (Ro.6:17) The “doctrine” is the death, burial, resurrection of the gospel (1Co.15:1-4)

Calling On The Name Of The Lord 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

Revealed in what the Romans had done Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in what the Romans had done What had the Romans done? Repented - “died to sin” (Ro.6:2,11-13) Baptized - “buried” & “raised” (vv.4-5) What did Paul call this? “Obeyed … that form of doctrine” (Ro.6:17) The “doctrine” (gospel) - death, burial, resurrection (1Co.15:1-4) The “form” - death, burial, resurrection of baptism (Ro.6:2-5)

Revealed in what the Romans had done Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in what the Romans had done What had the Romans done? Repented - “died to sin” (Ro.6:2,11-13) Baptized - “buried” & “raised” (vv.4-5) What did Paul call this? “Obeyed … that form of doctrine” (Ro.6:17) The “doctrine” (gospel) - death, burial, resurrection (1Co.15:1-4) The “form” - death, burial, resurrection of baptism (Ro.6:2-5) Romans 10:13-16

Calling On The Name Of The Lord Romans 10:13-16 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." 14 How 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? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"

Revealed in what the Romans had done Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in what the Romans had done What had the Romans done? Repented - “died to sin” (Ro.6:2,11-13) Baptized - “buried” & “raised” (vv.4-5) What did Paul call this? “Obeyed … that form of doctrine” (Ro.6:17) The “doctrine” - death, burial, resurrection (1Co.15:1-4) The “form” - death, burial, resurrection of baptism (Ro.6:2-5) Romans 10:13-16 Hearing, Believing, Calling on the name of the Lord = Obeying the gospel

Revealed in a Parallel of Scripture Calling On The Name Of The Lord March 23, 2000 Revealed in a Parallel of Scripture (Ro.10:13-15) Preacher Hear Believe Call - Lord Shall be saved (Mk.16:15-16) Preach Gospel Believes = Baptized Shall be saved Prepared by Brett W. Hogland

Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Saw a vision (Ac.9:3,12) (v.3) As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. (v.12) And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Saw a vision (Ac.9:3,12) Heard the Lord speak directly to him (v.4) Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “ Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Saw a vision (Ac.9:3,12) Heard the Lord speak directly to him (v.4) Spoke directly to the Lord and Believed (vv.5-6) (v.5) And he said, “ Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “ I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (v.6) So he, trembling and astonished, said, “ Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “ Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Saw a vision (Ac.9:3,12) Heard the Lord speak directly to him (v.4) Spoke directly to the Lord and Believed (vv.5-6) Repented - Fasted for three days (v.9) And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Saw a vision (Ac.9:3,12) Heard the Lord speak directly to him (v.4) Spoke directly to the Lord and Believed (vv.5-6) Repented - Fasted for three days (v.9) Prayed for three days (v.11) So the Lord said to him, “ Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.

Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Saw a vision (Ac.9:3,12) Heard the Lord speak directly to him (v.4) Spoke directly to the Lord and Believed (vv.5-6) Repented - Fasted for three days (v.9) Prayed for three days (v.11) He still was not saved! (v.6) “…Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in Paul’s Conversion Saw a vision (Ac.9:3,12) Heard the Lord speak directly to him (v.4) Spoke directly to the Lord and Believed (vv.5-6) Repented - Fasted for three days (v.9) Prayed for three days (v.11) He still was not saved! (v.6) “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Ac.22:16)

Revealed in Peter’s Application (Acts 2) Calling On The Name Of The Lord Revealed in Peter’s Application (Acts 2) Peter revealed God’s promise - “that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (v.21) The hearers expressed faith by their question (v.37) “What shall we do?” Peter did not tell them to accept Jesus into their heart Peter did not tell them to pray for salvation Peter told them to repent and “be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins”

Clearly Revealed in (1Pe.3:21) Calling On The Name Of The Lord Clearly Revealed in (1Pe.3:21) “baptism (… the answer of a good conscience toward God), (“answer” = ἐπερώτημα [eperōtēma] ) W.E. Vine: …is not, as in the KJV, an “answer”. It was used by the Greeks in a legal sense, as a “demand or appeal.” Baptism is therefore the ground of an “appeal” by a good conscience against wrong doing BDAG: a formal request, appeal … an appeal to God for a clear conscience (1 Pt 3:21) Baptism = an appeal (calling on) toward the authority of God (the name of the Lord) for the forgiveness of sins

Baptism in the name of the Lord is: Calling On The Name Of The Lord Baptism in the name of the Lord is: The baptism authorized by Jesus (Mt.28:18-20) An “appeal” by way of faithful obedience (Mk.16:16) (Ac.2:38) (Ac.10:48) An act of faith in the working of God - not the working of man (Co.2:12) Based upon faith in the resurrection (Co.2:12) (1Pe.3:21) (Ro.6:4-5) (Ro.10:9) Calling upon the name of the Lord (Ac.22:16)

Calling On The Name Of The Lord If you… Prayed the sinners prayer to be saved (??) Accepted Jesus into your heart to be saved (??) Believed that you were saved after believing and praying (??) Then you… Were not calling on the name of the Lord for forgiveness when you were baptized (Ps.145:18) (Ac.22:16) Were calling on men to see “an outward sign of an inward grace”in you (Mt.15:9,13) Did not have faith in the working of God to raise you from spiritual death in baptism (Co.2:12) (Ro.6:4-5) Need to “arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord”!!