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Acts 2:21 and Acts 2:38
Ever notice how many parallels there are between Acts 2:21 and Acts 2:38? Is this a coincidence? Will anyone deny we do not need to “call on the name of the Lord” to be “saved”? Will anyone deny “calling on the name of the Lord” precedes “will be saved”? And yet, many deny we must be baptized in order to receive forgiveness of sins. And many deny baptism precedes the forgiveness of sins. Both are God’s order (process) and God’s order (command).
Let’s notice the close connection to the end of the first section of Peter’s sermon (Acts 2:21), and the first answer he gives when the Pentecost crowd asks, “What must we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter had already said, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” but apparently, they did not know what is required to call on the Lord’s name. Apparently, they didn’t think it meant, “Pray in the name of the Lord and you will be saved.” Here
Here are the verses and parallels:
Acts 2:21 – Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
Acts 2:38 – “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• Everyone (2:21) – Each of you (2:38)
• Calls on the name (2:21) – in the name (2:38)
• Of the Lord (2:21) – Jesus Christ (2:38)
• Will be saved (2:21) – for forgiveness of sins (2:38)
But why does baptism in the name of Jesus grant forgiveness of sins? Only God can forgive sins! The OT quote from Joel which Peter quotes via the Holy Spirit is the personal name of God – Yahweh – usually written in the OT as LORD. When seeing this, Jesus is included in Yahweh who is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All three are involved in this text:
• “I will pour out my Spirit” (2:17,33) which here is miraculous. In 2:38 everyone receives the Holy Spirit which is renewed life.
• “God has made this Jesus, both Lord and Messiah/Christ” (2:36)
• Jesus is our Lord and Messiah (King, Prophet, Priest) (2:30,33,36).
Ever notice when put together properly, now amazingly harmonious it is? Have you called on the name of the Lord in being baptized in the name of Jesus so that then by those approved actions you may be by God’s grace and mercy to be saved through the forgiveness of your sins?? Have you followed both God’s order (process) and God’s order (command)?
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