Lesson 4: Calling On The Name Of The Lord (Acts 2.37-47)

Perhaps some 600 years before Jesus lived on the earth, the prophet Joel was commissioned by God to relay His word to the people of Judah. The people had suffered because of their sins and they would be punished further for their iniquities. Yet, there was hope! If the people would return to the Lord with all of their heart (Joel 2.12) they would be brought out of their captivity and their land would be healed (Joel 2.17-27). But an even greater blessing would be realized in the future (Joel 2.28-32)!

Acts 2 records how the blessing of Joel 2 was fulfilled. The promise began to be fulfilled when the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2.1-4). Yet, the prophecy spoke not only of miraculous works and signs that would accompany the pouring out of God’s Spirit, but also the fact that the time had come when “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2.21). Under the guidance of the Spirit, Peter went on to explain to the assembled multitude that Jesus, the very man they had crucified 50 days before, had been made both Lord and Christ by the Father (Acts 2.36). Jesus is Lord, but how can we be saved?

Notes From The Text

Vss. 37-41, people are saved!

• vs. 37, the message of the gospel, proclaiming that Christ is King, is more than mere words. This message cuts to the heart and forces man to make a decision: do I recognize Jesus as King or not? If I do, what must I do since I’ve rejected Him previously in my life? That was what the Jews assembled in Jerusalem were grappling with; they knew they had rejected Jesus, so what could they do?
  • Note: those who asked this question of Peter and the other apostles had been convicted of the fact that Jesus is the Christ. They BELIEVED the message, so if the doctrine of “faith alone” were true, they wouldn’t need to “do” anything. Yet, we see that a response was necessary for them to truly “call on the name of the Lord”.
• Vs. 38
  • “repent”: lives that have been spent in rebellion to God must be changed. Repentance was an essential part of Jesus’ preaching while on earth (see Matthew 4.17; Luke 13.3).
  • “be baptized every one of you”: as we will note in our study of Acts, the command to be baptized was not incidental, but the necessary response of those who believed the gospel message.
  • “in the name of Jesus Christ”: recall that the promise in Joel 2.32 was that those who “call on the name of the Lord” would be saved. Jesus is Lord (vs. 36) and the implication here is that since baptism is in His name, refusal would be tantamount to rejecting Jesus.
  • “for the forgiveness of your sins” needless debate has long taken place over whether this statement means that baptism is “for” the forgiveness of sins or “because” sins have been forgiven. Note that every major English translation and every Greek lexicon of note translates the Greek eis as “for”. The only reason to argue otherwise is to justify an unbiblical theological position. Just as Jesus gave His life “for” the forgiveness of our sins (Matthew 26.28) so we must be baptized “for” the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2.38; 22.16).
  • “you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” we will examine this blessing at the end of the lesson, but note that Acts 2.38 continues the connection between purification via water and receiving the Spirit. This was pronounced in the prophets (Ezekiel 36.25-27) and by Jesus (John 3.5). The fact that baptism (water) and Spirit are connected in Peter’s response shows that access to the Kingdom was now available!
• Vs. 39, “the promise is for you and…” Which promise was in view? Jesus had promised the Spirit during His earthly ministry (note Acts 1.4), but how many of the assembled multitude were familiar with this promise? It seems most likely that God’s promise to Abraham is in view (Genesis 12.3; see Acts 3.25). Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise, and He had poured out the Spirit (Acts 2.33). Note how Paul connects the promise to Abraham with the giving of the Spirit in Galatians 3.14.
• Vs. 40, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation” Jesus had frequently commented on the wickedness of his generation (see Luke 7.31-35; 9.41; 11.50-52,29-32; 17.25). That generation would crucify the very Son of God (Acts 2.36). To obey the gospel is to escape the punishment in store for those who reject the rule of God (see Joel 2.32).
• Vs. 41, “those who received his word were baptized” a multitude heard the message of Peter, but not everyone received or accepted the message. However, those that received the word were baptized. We cannot say that we accept any of Jesus’ teachings unless we follow them (see Matthew 7.24-27).

Vss. 42-47, a glimpse of the first citizens of the Kingdom

Vs. 41 states that on the day of Pentecost some 3000 souls “were added” (perhaps in reference to the 120 disciples mentioned in Acts 1.15). Vs. 47 states that “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” The saved in the passage are those who recognized the Lordship of Jesus and heeded His command to repent and be baptized. While Jesus’ rule is over all, it would be accurate to say those saved were “added” to His Kingdom as loyal citizens. This passage gives us a glimpse of what life was like for these first citizens of the Kingdom.

1. They recognized the authority of the apostles and their teachings (vss. 42-43). Remember that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit were meant to confirm the apostles as Jesus’ witnesses (vs. 43; Mark 16.20). Little wonder the early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching”; the Lord was with these men, so we must listen to them!
2. Fellowship and worship were given priority (vss. 42,46). The text speaks of their meeting together in the Temple and in smaller gatherings from house to house. There is some question on whether “the breaking of bread” in vs. 42 refers to the same activity in vs. 46. Many believe that the reference in vs. 42 is to the observance of the Lord’s Supper, while the reference in vs. 46 is to meals eaten by brethren. Such is possible, but I am of the opinion that while the whole church could meet in the Temple to hear the apostles’ teaching and to pray, the observance of the Lord’s Supper would have occurred in smaller venues like individuals homes. The point however is that they spent their time in worship by praying to the Father and remembering the sacrifice of their King.
3. They loved each other (vss. 44-45). Jesus said that love for each other would be seen in acts of service (see John 13.14; 15.12; etc.). The early church took this to heart by sacrificing their possessions to make sure every member was provided for. We will note further demonstrations of such sacrificial love as we proceed through Acts.
4. They fulfilled their responsibility to shine the light of the gospel (vs. 46). The Lord said our light was intended to bring others to the Lord (Matthew 5.16), which is exactly what happened as the early church lived lives which praised God. People are drawn to the truth of the gospel as it is held forth by people who’ve been transformed by the gospel.

The King & The Spirit

God promised through the prophet Joel to “pour out my Spirit on all flesh” (Acts 2.17; Joel 2.28). Furthermore, Jesus had instructed His apostles to stay in Jerusalem because there they would be “baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1.4-5). It is without question that on the day of Pentecost the apostles received the Spirit in a way unlike any other (Acts 2.1-4), a point evident even at the conclusion of chapter 2. Note that while all who responded to the gospel call would “receive the gift of the Spirit” (Acts 2.38), only the apostles were doing “wonders and signs” (Acts 2.43). But were the apostles the only recipients of the Spirit? Is Acts 2.1-4 the only fulfillment of Joel 2.28?

The literary prophets of the Old Testament prophesied during dark times. Israel and Judah had departed from the ways of the Lord, had suffered the consequences of their actions and were being warned of further punishment if they continued in rebellion. But there was hope; repentance would lead to the captives returning home and to the land being replenished. But the true renewal and restoration of man would only come when God sent His Spirit:

• Isaiah prophesied that true restoration would occur ONLY when the Spirit was “poured upon us from on high”. Then, both justice and righteousness would be restored. (Isaiah 32.14-18).
• Through Ezekiel, God promised to restore His people from captivity. But this restoration would be more than a simple return to the promised land. God would cleanse them with water and give them a new spirit… His Spirit! (Ezekiel 36.24-27; compare with Jeremiah 31.31-34).
• As we’ve seen from Joel’s prophecy, the pouring out of the Spirit would be accompanied by prophecy and visions. However, it is significant that the text DOES NOT say everyone who received the Spirit would prophesy or have visions, merely that those “gifts” would accompany the pouring out of God’s Spirit. What would be available to everyone was salvation! (Joel 2.28-32).

When we come to the gospel accounts we see that the coming of the Spirit was anticipated. While the apostles would receive gifts of the Spirit unlike others (see John 14.26; 16.13; Luke 24.49; etc.), the blessing of the Spirit wasn’t limited to them.

• John the baptist foretold that the Christ would baptize with both the Holy Spirit and with fire (Luke 3.16-17). The context shows judgment is in view: those baptized with the Holy Spirit are saved (wheat gathered into the barn), while those baptized with fire are condemned (chaff which is burned).
• Jesus told Nicodemus that for one to enter the Kingdom he must be “born of water and the Spirit” (John 3.5), a clear reference to Ezekiel’s prophecy (Ezekiel 36.25-27).

So, Acts 2 is the complete fulfillment of God’s promise to pour out His Spirit. His chosen witnesses received special gifts of the Spirit, while those saved received God’s promise of a new spirit, of His Spirit. This is the recreation the rest of the New Testament speaks of (see 2Corinthians 3.18; Ephesians 4.24; 2Peter 1.4; etc.) As another author put it, “The coming of the Spirit marked the beginning of the church. The presence of the Spirit is what makes a person a Christian.” Note: those who receive the Spirit are “devoted to the apostles teaching” (Acts 2.38,42). Spiritual people live by the Spirit (Galatians 5) and the apostles’ teaching came through the Spirit!

One final point: it is significant that the promised Spirit would not come until Jesus’ exaltation (Acts 2.33; John 16.7). The pouring out of the Spirit was possible ONLY after Jesus’ had made the one offering for sin; when He had entered into the most holy place to intercede on our behalf; when He sat down at God’s right hand. The reign of the King inaugurated a new era, an era defined by true renewal and restoration; an era where the promise of God’s Spirit can be experienced by all.