Call on His Name

Acts 2:14-24

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.[b] 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
    before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

By Danny Sathyadass

…And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Acts 2:21

The mixed responses of people and the allegation that the 120 were drunk, prompted Peter to stand up along with the 11 to boldly address the crowd. All 120, comprising of women and possibly young children too (Acts 1:14-16) were declaring the wonders of God. (Acts 2:10b).

Prior to this, the evidence of God’s Holy Spirit was only limited to one or two devout men who were known to be prophets, but here, all of them were speaking in known tongues simultaneously.

Peter’s dignified and enthusiastic message got everyone’s attention which was yet another evidence of God’s Spirit in Him. Peter justifies this strange sight by quoting prophet Joel who pointed out that the Holy Spirit was for all people and was not limited to a holy class, an individual or a prophet. Everyone -children, women, young and old were all declaring or seeing God’s wonders. The informed audience were aware of Joel’s prophecy but would not have understood its significance until they saw it unfold before their eyes.

…I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.... Acts 2:16-18

Visions and dreams, signs and wonders were other characteristic features of the ‘last days’ which began at Christ’s first coming. Even as the audience were spell bound as they observed all 120, declare God’s wonders, Peter concludes Joel’s prophecy with this emphatic statement that salvation is just a call away, for anyone. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ Acts 2:21

Those who called on Christ while he was on the earth were saved and released from all types of bondages. The blind, the lame, and even the thief on the cross were saved. May we not hold back from calling on Him. The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Prov 18:10.


*  This devotion was found at Bible.com titled “Acts Chapter Two” by Danny Sathyadass of City Light Global.