“Call on the Name of Jesus”

Joel 2:32–And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

In Acts 2:14-41, we read of how Peter preached on the day of Pentecost and quoted Joel 2:32 “And everyone one who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” and cried out to the people to repent. The result? 3,000 souls were saved and brought to the Lord that day!

Acts 3:36-38

v 36 Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.

V37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers what shall we do?”

V38 Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, and the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Pentecost occurred during the Jewish Festival of Harvest (Ex 23:16) and people were gathered in Jerusalem from many nations. It was quite a mighty movement of the Holy Spirit, the day of Pentecost, and people nearby heard the disciples praying in tongues and witnessed the signs of the by the Holy Spirit, resulting in the confession and baptism of 3,000 souls! Talk about a movement!! But don’t miss the the word CONFESSION.

In Ephesians 2:8 we read that we are saved by grace through faith–which is a gift from God, but let us never overlook the reality that we must also confess our sins and call on the name of Jesus in faith!

Joel and Paul taught that that our sincere confession and repentance brings about salvation by grace through faith. Joel also promises that as the people sought out God (Joel 1:13-14; 2:12-13) that God would answer them and come to their rescue.

Truly, when we are willing to recognize and confess our sin, healing begins!! If we cry out to Jesus but are not willing to give up our life of sin, we are being hypocrites. When we call on the name of Jesus with a humble and contrite heart, and are willing to die to our sin, Jesus will come to our rescue!!

No “good work” can make up for or substitute for the cleansing work orf the Holy Spirit in our hearts. (Titus 3:4-7) For example, choosing to get baptized to try to become right with God won’t yield a spiritual cleansing. Baptism is a result of the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s heart; it is an outward profession of faith and a symbol of the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit.

The bottom line is this: calling on the name of Jesus for salvation requires FAITH. When we are willing to cry out to Jesus for SPIRITUAL rescue , we are putting our faith in Jesus into ACTION. Scripture tells us that God honors this kind of faith above all else! Then, the mighty work of the Holy Spirit will cleanse, wash and sanctify you–not because you simply said the name of Jesus out loud, but because you CALLED OUT TO JESUS in FAITH! It is our faith in Jesus that brings the MIRACLE of SALVATION by GRACE through FAITH!❤️

Amen!

Grace and Peace,

Ashley ?