Call Upon The Lord

Some have used the phrase "he who calls upon the name of the Lord shalt be saved" as a reference to faith only. Actually it is mutually exclusive, "calling upon" is an action and a work. This word calling upon can mean to invoke or appeal to an entitled right based upon one's surname or family right.

ἐπικαλέομαι

epikaleomai

ep-ee-kal-eh'-om-ahee

Middle voice from G1909 and G2564; to entitle; by implication to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.): - appeal (unto), call (on, upon), surname.

In Acts 2:21 and Acts 22:16 it isn't prayer, it is closer to the idea that those who invoke Christ's name have access to God's authority. Christ has 2 names that reveal his position to save.

1. He is the son of God, giving him family position in the Godhead.

2. He is the son of David, giving him the right to messianic authority.

The Old testament word for "Name" is very accurate in its reference to position.

Keep in mind Moses called to God for instruction, he had to pray because the instruction wasn't previously given through someone else and he was to be the law giver, in Acts 2:21 the people didn't receive God's instruction through prayer but through the Apostles, "Calling upon the name" did not involve prayer for the people on the day of pentecost, but listening to and completing the Apostles instructions who had been directly given the instructions. The Apostles vs Moses were the spokespeople of the covenant.

Thus, the people did not receive direct contact to lead them through prayer, but bu listening to the spokespersons. Acts 2:38

In Paul's case he had been praying already for 3 days when told to "Call upon the Name of the Lord" by being baptized, prayer did not complete calling on Christ's name but listening to Ananias the messenger. Thus calling upon the name of the Lord is doing what Christ's messengers command. The messengers receive God's instructions and then pass them to the multitudes. You call upon Christ's name even if you did not receive the instructions directly themselves.

Psa 99:6

MosesH4872 and AaronH175 among his priests,H3548 and SamuelH8050 among them that call uponH7121 his name;H8034 they calledH7121 uponH413 the LORD,H3068 and heH1931 answeredH6030 them.

Moses didn't call upon the name of the Lord to start a relationship, it was to get guidance through God's decision. This phrase is used when asking for a decision or when completing the decision given.

The word here for name is actually the name given to Noah's son, and has several applications.

shêm

shame

A primitive word (perhaps rather from

H7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare H8064); an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character: - + base, [in-] fame [-ous], name (-d), renown, report.

So, when we appeal to Christ we are appealing to an established and published position of authority.This similar usage is seen when Paul appeals to Ceaser, 

Paul appealed to Ceasar in Acts 25:11 and Acts 28:19, "appealed" is the same word as "call upon" in Acts 2:21 and Acts 22:16. Since Paul was a Roman citizen he had an entitled right to approach Ceaser or his representatives to receive judgment in his behalf. Christians have their citizenship in heaven so we have an entitled right to approach the Father. Christ has an entitled right to messianic kingdom rule.

Thus Christ's name and our adopted name give both position and authority with God. We are a set of priviledged children who get to fall back on Christ's position to aid us. We get to go to Christ for relief. Christ can give relief without us doing anything but asking or he can attatch relief to whatever demands he wishes, such as baptism. He is in charge. Even before becoming a Christian, those who recognize Christ as the Messiah can call upon his name to receive knowledge of the salvation process. We come to realize Christ posessed and delivered the words to eternal life and gave them to his apostolic representatives.

There is also another phrase "called upon the Lord", which is similar but a little different. Calling upon the name and calling upon the Lord are slightly different as seen below in Psalms 99.

One is the idea of seeking entitlement through a family or national relationship. The other is the act of prayer or seeking. When used together it may mean to seek based upon an entitled relationship. Christians have a right to approach God through an entitled adoption.

One problem is that many believe calling upon the Lord is just prayer to save me. It is actually a heart felt search for guidance from Christ based upon an established and entitled family relationship.In a sense you have to approach him to ask what to do, but that is with the intent of completing whatever recourse he gives you.

It actually means to seek someone's judgment in a matter as in the definition above.

1. It can be just asking to be saved, but usually means more.

2. It can be used of seeking instructions for relief or forgiveness.

3. It was the act of formal worship where they exercised God's instructions.

In Acts 2 they were instructed about calling upon the Lord. Then they asked what they should do, Peter told them.

Act 2:21

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Act 2:37

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?

They recognized Peter as Christ's spokesman, and asked what to do, in this way they called upon the name of the Lord.

Act 2:38

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.

Peter ties Christ's judgment about what was required to their seeking. In the name of Jesus Christ means it is a formal announcement from Christ, not just saying Christ's name during the act.

Paul in Acts 22 went through the same process.

1. He called Jesus Lord  Acts 22:10

2. He asked what to do.  Acts 22:10

3. He was told to go to an official messenger who would tell him God's plan. Acts 22:10

Act 22:10  And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. 

Even though he called Jesus Lord, talking directly with him, and asked what to do, this was not the completion of "calling upon" the name of the Lord. If just prayer it would have been.

He would not complete "calling upon the name of the Lord" until Acts 22:16, when he completed that which was appointed in Christ's Name. when he was baptized. Baptism is "in the name of Jesus Christ". 

Both phrases "call upon the name" and "called upon the Lord" were used together in the Old Testament. It was not a sinners prayer but a prayer for instructions and then Application of the instructions appointed.

Psa 99:5  Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. 

Psa 99:6  Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. 

Psa 99:7  He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them. 

Psa 99:8  Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. 

They asked and God gave a method of relief. He forgave them in Lieu of keeping his instructions.

Some would say this is legalism, but is actually expressing faith in the person of God and his position in matters of judgment.

It coincides with receiving and keeping God's instructions as official declarations, since he sits in a position of judgment and authority.

In Acts 2;21 it coincides with Acts 2:38, an official judgment from the throne of Christ.

Calling upon the Lord meant seeking his guidance, keeping the commands he gave, and asking forgiveness when they used their own inventions in worship.

Most faith only people don't use calling upon the Lord as the process of seeking his guidance and following through. As in Romans 10:10 they see it void of obedience and only belief, but Paul uses belief as an instrument toward righteousness, not the final act.

Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;

Romans 10:12  with the mouth confession is made unto salvation

"Unto" does not denote a final outcome, but a movement towards, belief has to exist until christ's judgments are completed for us to be rendered righteous, and confession is long-term until we are ultimately saved when Christ returns.

Believeth is fulfilled in expressing faith through applying Christ's remedy to your situation.

This doesn't say we are righteous at belief, but that belief when exercising God's word is unto righteousness. It implies acknowledgment of Christ's authority and the context is exercising Christ's word.

Being baptized leads to forgiveness. It is unto righteousness in a sense.You are exercising a believing heart in the completion of it. It is upon the Name of Jesus Christ.

It is used in Psalms 116 and there implies being a servant and acting within this relationship.

Psa 116:1  I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 

Psa 116:2  Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. 

Psa 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 

Psa 116:16  O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. 

Psa 116:17  I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. 

Psa 116:18  I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people, 

Psalms 116 also uses both, calling upon the name again implies invoking a pre-established right, calling upon the Lord is the actual act of seeking or prayer.

It wasn't a one time act but a long-term pre-established right and commitment to keep God's judgment and seek his favor. Notice in Psalms 116 he prayed first and God proved he was answering, then because God heard he committed to calling upon his name his entire life. It is a life-long ongoing process.

Romans 10 also uses the two phrases together

Rom 10:12  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. 

Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

Instead of thinking this is a plan of salvation to become a Christian through prayer, this is Christians invoking a previously established belief in Christ's name, a right through previous adoption into God's family, then continually invoking your priveledges to come to God through Christ.

It implies the Lord is currently your Lord and is over you.

It implies it is done until the salvation process is finished or until your death.

It requires open confession and belief in his name.

Rom 10:9  That 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. 

Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

(it is not saying belief only, but with the heart man believes unto righteousness, you aren't righteous at belief but it is with the belief that righteousness is attained.)

In other words, the heart must believe in the Gospel and it is through belief we exercise our right to salvation through Christ's authority.

In the process of going to Christ for judgment you must have faith in who he is and have faith in his authority based upon his surname, The Son of God and The Son of David. It isn't apart from his judgments like baptism, but faith works within them.

Thus in Romans we become servants, and call upon his name invoking a legal priveledge to come to God for decisions or favor depending upon the situation.

It is the on going act of worship through the resurrection faith.

It can be used of entering Christ such as Acts 2:37 - men and brethren what shall we do in response to the realization Christ is King and the Apostles are his messengers, then being baptized for adoption and  afterward heart felt worship.

Calling upon the Lord was also used as worship as Israel brought sacrifices,

Isa 43:22  But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel. 

Isa 43:23  Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. 

Isa 43:24  Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities. 

Isa 43:25  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. 

Isa 43:26  Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified. 

Isa 43:27  Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me. 

Isa 43:28  Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches. 

They refused to invoke their established right and had neglected Old Testament worship to the point God could not grow tired of their requests for intercession because they didn't offer them.

It is used of formal worship where God's help is invoked, such as sacrifices or other types of formalized worship. Even thanksgiving after being saved.

Rom 10:12  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. 

Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

Though faith only sees this as a one time act, saved in this verse is that of the judgment. It is future and requires calling upon the Lord until death, willingly invoking your right to God's help through Christ.

People who think they are saved through a sinners prayer aren't saved at all, they never completed Christ's judgments in his name, and those thinking they are initially saved but neglect calling upon Christ's name by neglecting worship can be lost in the end.

Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 

Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 

draw near

true heart

full assurance

having been washed (Romans 6:4 proceeded Romans 10)

hold fast our profession (confession)

Our right implies we were washed with water and our hearts sprinkled, then we must continue our profession.

Hebrews 10 and Romans 10 both speak of a continued profession or confession. They use the same wording and speak of confession as an on going duty, not a one time act.