As we continue the review of this tract, we urge our denominational friends and neighbors to understand that our motivation in publishing this article is one of love. As we are commanded in Eph. 4:15. Our love is for the Lord Jesus Christ, for the truth, and for all people.
The tract states: "If you believe that Jesus Christ alone can save you ... then pray and ask him." Romans 10:13: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Paul in emphasizing that "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved," ask the question: "How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? How shall they believe in him in whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (Rom. 10:14)? We see by this verse that there are certain things that must precede calling on the Lord. Those things are: preaching, hearing, and believing.
It is clear that calling follows after faith. It is also clear that calling precedes salvation. "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (v13). Calling, therefore, stands between faith and salvation. The order is: faith, calling, salvation.
When we study the New Testament concerning what God demands in order for one to be saved, we learn that: (1) one must believe on the Lord (Mark 16:16, Rom. 10:10, Heb. 11:6); (2) repent of every sin (Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17:30); (3) confess his faith in Christ as being the Son of God (Matt. 10:32, Rom. 10:10); (4) be baptized in the name of Christ, for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16). Obviously, all these are things based upon love for God and his will, since the Lord said: "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments" (John 14:15 ASV). According to this teaching then, standing after faith and preceding salvation are: repentance, confession, and baptism. If "calling" follows faith and precedes salvation, and if repentance, confession, and baptism follow faith and precede salvation, then it is clear that "calling on the Lord" and "repentance, confession, and baptism" are the same!
Peter in Acts 2:21 states that "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Following this statement he told those who asked: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" "Repent , and be baptized...for the remission of sins" (v 38).
Compare: Peter in Acts 2:38: Faith--repent, baptize--salvation
Paul in Rom. 10:13-14: Faith--calling--salvation The "calling" is equal to "repentance and baptism."
Jesus warns of false teachers who teach such things as, "just believe and call on the name of the Lord." "Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21). Then in v.22 makes it clear that false teachers (and those who have believed land followed their false doctrine) will cry out to the Lord a list of religious acts which they did while on earth. In v.23, Jesus declares of those who have not obeyed his will: "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." How sad it will be in that day for those who believe and teach such .
The Bible nowhere teaches for one who has never been baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27), to pray for remission of sins (Acts 2:38), therefore, the tract is false.
"If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11).
Don H. Noblin
For questions or comments about this article, email Don H. Noblin If you decide to email me, please include the title of the article. Thank you.