Believing in Christ and Calling Upon the Name of the Lord

[Guido]

Whereas in John 3, we are given a passage on how to be born again, which says simply to believe in Christ; in Romans 10 we are given a passage saying, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." But we also find in the same chapter the words "How shall they call upon on him in whom they have not believed?"

This then is the question: Are we saved by believing, or by calling upon the name of the Lord (the Lord Jesus)? And exactly what does it mean to "call upon the name of the Lord"?

 

[37818]

This then is the question: Are we saved by believing, or by calling upon the name of the Lord (the Lord Jesus)? And exactly what does it mean to "call upon the name of the Lord"?

Calling on the LORD is a work.
In Mark 16:16 baptism is a work.
Both Romans 10:13 and Mark 16:16 have the same promise following faith and said work, "shall be saved." Belief is the requirement not the said work. But according to John 1:12-13, it is not the belief which causes one to be born of God, but it is solely God who does the causing per verse 13.

Look at Acts of the Apostles 8:12-13, ". . . But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, . . . ." Here both the Samaritans and Simon had believed. The Samaritans had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Acts of the Apostles 8:14-17. And Simon later though the gift of the Holy Spirit might be bought with money. Acts of the Apostles 8:18-24.

 

[Van]

Whereas in John 3, we are given a passage on how to be born again, which says simply to believe in Christ; in Romans 10 we are given a passage saying, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." But we also find in the same chapter the words "How shall they call upon on him in whom they have not believed?"

This then is the question: Are we saved by believing, or by calling upon the name of the Lord (the Lord Jesus)? And exactly what does it mean to "call upon the name of the Lord"?

Excellent thread topic!!

John 3:15 (NASB)
so that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him.

John 3:15 (NET)
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

The Greek word translated "in" is "eis" which means "into." So if the phrase arrangement is best in the NASB, then it would read have eternal life within Him. And if the arrangement is best in the NET (my choice) then it would read everyone believing into Him, indicating a spiritual relocation is in view.

The key point is that it is God who credits an individuals faith as righteous faith or not, and if credited as righteous faith, then God transfers the person out of the realm of darkness into Christ.

This is a fundamental part of the gospel.

And if we accept this biblical truth, then "calling on the name of the Lord" is at least a facet of the faith God credits as righteous faith. I think the idea is turning from trusting in ourselves and relying solely on Christ for our salvation. The "name" of the Lord refers to the attributes and characteristics of Christ that we rely upon such as God in the flesh, the Lamb of God, our Savior and so forth.

 

[kyredneck]

Whereas in John 3, we are given a passage on how to be born again, which says simply to believe in Christ

Wrong. That's quite backwards. One cannot enter or even see the kingdom of God unless they've first been born from above. Only those in whom God has wrought 'do the truth' and come to the light.

Are we saved by believing

Yes, we are 'saved'/delivered/rescued/made whole by believing. We believe because we're born from above. We 'come to Jesus' because God has worked within us. It's regeneration BEFORE belief.

 

[Guido]

Wrong. That's quite backwards. One cannot enter or even see the kingdom of God unless they've first been born from above. Only those in whom God has wrought 'do the truth' and come to the light.



Yes, we are 'saved'/delivered/rescued/made whole by believing. We believe because we're born from above. We 'come to Jesus' because God has worked within us. It's regeneration BEFORE belief.

There is no scripture that, when understood properly, affirms regeneration prior to faith. Rather, that faith and grace are that which saves us, this is shown in Ephesians 2:8-9, the grammar proving that the gift is not faith, but that the gift is salvation.

 

[kyredneck]

There is no scripture that, when understood properly, affirms regeneration prior to faith.

There's plenty of scripture, when understood properly, that affirms regeneration prior to faith.

 

[37818]

There's plenty of scripture, when understood properly, that affirms regeneration prior to faith.

No. There are not any Holy Scripture which teaches being born from above prior to the faith.

 

[kyredneck]

No. There are not any Holy Scripture which teaches being born from above prior to the faith.

There's plenty of scripture, when understood properly, that affirms regeneration prior to faith. Anyone believing has eternal life already.

He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life;......Jn 3:36

.....He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life,...Jn5:24

... He that believeth hath eternal life. Jn 6:47

 

[Guido]

There's plenty of scripture, when understood properly, that affirms regeneration prior to faith. Anyone believing has eternal life already.

He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life;......Jn 3:36

.....He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life,...Jn5:24

... He that believeth hath eternal life. Jn 6:47

There is nothing in those passages saying that a person is saved before they believe, but that faith and salvation occur at the same time.

 

[Silverhair]

There's plenty of scripture, when understood properly, that affirms regeneration prior to faith.

Scripture should not have to be "understood properly". Scripture is not a puzzle that we have to fit together. There should be at least one clear text that shows your view KY.

Galatians 2:16 by faith in Jesus Christ
Acts of the Apostles 16:30-31 Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved
Romans 10:9-10 confess with your mouth...believe in your heart
Ephesians 1:13 hear...believed...sealed
John 20:31 believing you may have life
Ephesians 2:8 by grace you have been saved, through faith

 

[Silverhair]

There's plenty of scripture, when understood properly, that affirms regeneration prior to faith. Anyone believing has eternal life already.

He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life;......Jn 3:36

.....He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life,...Jn5:24

... He that believeth hath eternal life. Jn 6:47

You just gave three verses that show you have to believe before you have eternal life.

Just a bit more information for you KY. The verbs hear and believe are in the present tense active voice which means that the subject, the person, is the one doing the action and they continue to do the action. So we see that they hear and believe before they have eternal life. Faith before regeneration.

 

[kyredneck]

There is nothing in those passages saying that a person is saved before they believe, but that faith and salvation occur at the same time.

I didn't say 'saved', I said "Anyone believing has eternal life already".

 

[Silverhair]

I didn't say 'saved', I said "Anyone believing has eternal life already".

Would you care to explain difference between saved and having eternal life?

 

[kyredneck]

Scripture should not have to be "understood properly". Scripture is not a puzzle that we have to fit together. There should be at least one clear text that shows your view KY.

These passages....

He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life;......Jn 3:36

.....He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life,...Jn5:24

... He that believeth hath eternal life. Jn 6:47

....are clear texts proving life before belief.

 

[kyredneck]

Would you care to explain difference between saved and having eternal life?

Would you care to explain why you take 'saved' to mean 'saved from hell'?

 

[Guido]

Would you care to explain why you take 'saved' to mean 'saved from hell'?

In this context it does.

 

[kyredneck]

In this context it does.

Where in the 'context' is hell even mentioned? (not sure what the context is yet, but I'll bite)

 

[Silverhair]

These passages....

He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life;......Jn 3:36

.....He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life,...Jn5:24

... He that believeth hath eternal life. Jn 6:47

....are clear texts proving life before belief.

Your right all these verse show that the people were alive and made a real choice to believe so they would have eternal life in Christ Jesus. Faith before regeneration.

 

[Silverhair]

Would you care to explain why you take 'saved' to mean 'saved from hell'?

KY that has to be one of the dumbest questions I have seen on here. Do you not think eternal life = saved from hell. You calvinists really struggle with the bible text don't you.

 

[Silverhair]

Where in the 'context' is hell even mentioned? (not sure what the context is yet, but I'll bite)

KY you just like to disagree with whatever a person says so you can cause controversy. Rather childish really. Try adding something constructive to the thread.