Scripture teaches: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13). “Stop, in the name of the law!” is an officer’s warning to stop by the authority of the law. Likewise, “calling upon the name of the Lord,”is to call upon the authority (word, law) of the Lord. But, HOW and WHEN is this accomplished? Since understanding scripture is not of any private interpretation, we must let scripture interpret itself. 

Shortly after the apostles received “the great commission” of the Lord (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47), in Acts 2:36, Peter charged the multitude in Jerusalem with crucifying Jesus. Convicted of their sin, in verse 37 they asked the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” In verse 38, “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.” To receive this “gift,”they were required to comply with the conditions expressed by Peter “in the name of Jesus Christ.” Peter encouraged them further in verse 40 saying “save yourselves,” which is exactly what 3000 did in verse 41.

From the days of Abraham, God promised, “IN thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16). Salvation is IN Christ (2 Timothy 2:10). We are new creatures IN Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). There is no condemnation IN Christ (Romans 8:1). Therefore, one must be IN Christ to be saved. The Bible clearly tells us HOW and WHEN one gets INTO Christ: Galatians 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized INTO Christ have put on Christ.”  

In addition, Romans 6:3 says, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized INTO Jesus Christ were baptized into his death.” Not only are we to be baptized INTO Christ, but at the same time, the scripture teaches that we are baptized “INTO his death” (where his precious blood was shed for the remission of our sins, Matthew 26:28). The blood of Christ washes away our sins (Revelation 1:5) WHEN we yield to His bidding (1 John 1:7) by being “baptized into his death” (compare with Mark 16:15-16; 1 Peter 3:21). At that point, “our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed” (v. 6), which allows us to “be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (v. 5), having been freed from our sins (vs. 16-18)!

In Acts 22, the apostle Paul recounted his conversion, revealing more of what had transpired in Acts 9. He stated that a disciple named Ananias taught him the gospel and said, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Let us call upon His authority in all that we do (Colossians 3:17)!