There is only one way to be saved. That does not mean there is only one component involved in salvation for, as we will see this week, there are several things attributed to salvation in the scriptures, but all these things point back to one person—Jesus Christ. He is the only way to the Father.
John 14:6 (ESV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
This truth is the foundation of Christianity. Believing and accepting Christ is the rock upon which Jesus said He would build His church (Matthew 16:16-18). A person must call on the name of the Lord to be saved.
Acts 2:21 (ESV)
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
This has always been God’s plan. Peter is quoting Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:32). Paul quoted it as well when writing about salvation (Romans 10:13). The question is, how does one call on the name of the Lord?
We can be certain what it does not mean. It does not mean simply uttering the word Lord.
Matthew 7:21 (ESV)
21 “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.
We also know at least a part of what is specifically involved.
Acts 22:16 (ESV)
16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
It is clear that baptism is involved in calling on the name of the Lord, but it is only a part of it. For one to merely go down into water is no more than getting wet. A person does not call on the name of the Lord every time he dives into a pool. To call on the name of the Lord is to turn to Him in faith and obedience, recognizing that He is the Son of God and is the only one who can save us.
Repentance is a part of calling on the name of the Lord. How do we know? It is Bible logic. Since one is saved by calling on the name of the Lord, and, since repentance is necessary for salvation, repentance must be a part of calling on the name of the Lord. Is repentance really necessary for salvation? The Bible says yes.
Luke 13:3 (ESV)
3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Again, logically speaking, since repentance is necessary to avoid perishing, and since those who call on the name of the Lord escape perishing, if you have not repented, you have not called on the name of the Lord.
It is no coincidence that when people asked Peter what to do to be saved, he told them to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). Along with believing in Jesus (John 8:24) and confessing Christ (Romans 10:9-10), repentance and baptism are a part of calling on the name of the Lord. Here is the truth—calling on the name of the Lord means to turn to the one person who can save us, that is Jesus, by obeying the will of God. If you have not already done so, call on the name of the Lord and be saved.
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.