What does this statement mean to you?

That whosoever calls upon God to save him/her from their sins, asks for the forgiveness of their sins, and then ask Jesus into their heart(and really means it), Jesus will save them.

 

Really meaning it is the key, the idea is that you cry out to God with your heart for Salvation, and He will answer your request. Yet I think that the focus is on that calling on God being real, 100% and from the heart.

 

"Whosoever" - Not just jews, see verses 1-10 of the chapter.

"shall call" - For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

And who believes? John 1:12 But as many as received him to THEM gave he power to become the sons of God, even to THEM that BELIEVE on his name; WHO WERE BORN, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN, BUT OF GOD.

So we see that those that believe are those that WERE (PAST TENSE, IT MATTERS) BORN OF GOD, AND NOT OF THEIR OWN WILLS.

 

I found a sermon by John Piper that I found interesting. First, he notes that salvation involves believing. (Ro 10:9) Then, Piper says:

In the sermon, Piper said that belief precedes calling on the name of the Lord.

Tom B.

 

Tom

I believe Acts 2:21 is a scripture that is greatly misused, as well as Acts 16:31. If one just cites this one verse for salvation, then all that is necessary is to cry out to God of your sinfulness and you will be saved presto chango. Is this all the apostles taught for a person to do? ALL the scriptures pertaining to salvation must be gathered together and not just one or two isolated texts.

One must first believe God is. One must hear the gospel that saves. One must turn to God IN FAITH. One must repent and confess to God that they ARE a sinner. And one must be baptized as evidence that they are united in Christ for the remission of sins. All these things are gathered from OTHER scriptures in the New Testament.

I might add in conclusion, that a faith that produces NO WORKS in a Christian's life is a DEAD faith and so in the long haul, that faith saves no one. Hebrews 5:9.

 

It means exactly what it says when put in the context of the rest of the Bible. I couldn't just say hi God and be saved because that doesn't go with the whole Bible.

 

Ron, I agree with you.

Tom B

 

I'm with Ron except for baptism. Baptism is not a requisite for salvation. I myself did not get baptized for several months (almost a year, if I remember correctly) after I was saved. Does that mean the time between my conversion and my getting wet was fruitless, vain, or devoid of salvation? Of course not.

 

Only those who are called by the Holy Spirit (conviction)will call on the Lord to save them, and this will only be after repentance.

 

Peter in Acts is quoting Joel. Joel was pointing to the New Covenant.


Act 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Act 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
Act 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.


If verse 21 is a present reality doesn't that mean verse 16 and following are past?

 

Before the Bible was broken into verses it was written in sentences and paragraphs.We should take things in context.Try Romans 10:9-13,seems to me that is more of the complete thought.

 

This thought was expressed by Jesus. You're suggesting an alternative idea expressed by Paul. Not only that, Jesus said, "Come and follow Me," over and over again. I believe we should listen to what He said repeatedly becase that indicates how important He knew it to be.

 

All Scripture is inspired by God. It means just what it say's, God dosen't speak in riddles. There are some whom will try to put a spin on Gods Word, I've heard that some pastors have done just that.

God planned the Bible to be clear in it's meaning, albeit at times it does not seem to be. Thats where a your Pastor or another Christian whom is knowledgeable in the Word can help you. Also commentaries are helpful, strictly speaking for myself on this one. Others don't believe in commentaries.

 

I would take it farther and say that Romans 10:9-17 would be a more complete thought.

Salvation and faith do not come after repentence, it all happens at the same time. When our heart turns toward God we want a relationship with him, we want to please him, we want intimacy with him. I think that two of the best examples of this are the Writer of the Gospel of John, and Zacheaus.

John loved him intimately and longed to be at his side. Zacheaus turned from his sin, had a heart for restoration and benevolence, and to please God Man it just does not get any better than that.

By the way salvation came to the house of Zacheaus that day without any baptism.

 

Revmitchell said:

And without the sinner's prayer.

Tom B.

 

Mima, I agree.

Tom B