North Charlottesville church of Christ

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Question Night May 2025 - Part 2

Larry Rouse
05/14/25 - Wed Bible Study

Meeting Purpose

To explore the biblical concept of "calling on the name of the Lord" and its implications for salvation and Christian living.

Key Takeaways

• "Calling on the name of the Lord" is broader than just prayer; it involves trusting God's promises and meeting His conditions for salvation and blessings.

• In the context of becoming a Christian, calling on the Lord includes repentance and baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16).

• The concept applies both to initial salvation and ongoing Christian life, involving daily trust and obedience to God.

• This understanding challenges some denominational teachings on salvation and baptism.

Topics

Biblical Examples of Calling on the Lord

• Joshua at Jericho: Obeying God's instructions to march around the city was an act of calling on the Lord (Hebrews 11:30).

• Naaman: Initially misunderstood, thinking the prophet would pray rather than him following God's instructions to dip in the Jordan.

• Old Testament sacrifices: Part of calling on the Lord in patriarchal times.

Acts 2 and Calling on the Lord

• Peter quotes Joel 2:28-32 in Acts 2:17-21, applying it to the events of Pentecost.

• The promise of salvation through calling on the Lord (Acts 2:21) is further explained in Acts 2:38-39 as repentance and baptism.

• Discussion on the dual fulfillment of Joel's prophecy: immediate (destruction of Jerusalem) and spiritual (salvation in Christ).

Baptism and Calling on the Lord

• Acts 22:16 explicitly links baptism with calling on the name of the Lord.

• Early church practice was immediate baptism upon belief and repentance.

• Challenges modern church practices that delay baptism.

Theological Implications

• Critiques Calvinistic concepts of imputed righteousness and total depravity.

• Emphasizes personal responsibility for sin (Ezekiel 18:20) rather than inherited guilt.

• Stresses the ongoing nature of calling on the Lord throughout Christian life.

Misunderstandings of "Calling on the Lord"

• Not limited to prayer or a "sinner's prayer."

• Not a one-time event but a lifelong commitment.

• Involves meeting God's conditions, not just verbal invocation.

Next Steps

• Continue to study and apply the biblical concept of calling on the Lord in personal faith and church practice.

• Evaluate church teachings and practices in light of this understanding, especially regarding baptism and salvation.

• Prepare for future question-and-answer sessions on related biblical topics.