Paul says that all that call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, will find Him rich and plenteous in mercy, and ready to dispense His grace and salvation to all: such shall be saved; be they who they will, whether Jews or Gentiles; not with a physical salvation only, but with a spiritual and eternal one; for the words of the prophet refer to Gospel times, as the context shows, and is cited and applied also by the Apostle Peter, in Acts 2:16–21 besides, the deliverance and salvation Joel speaks of, is of a remnant whom the Lord shall call; and designs the remnant according to the election of grace, whether among Jews or Gentiles, whom God calls by His efficacious grace; between which call and eternal glory, there is a certain and inseparable connection.
To call upon the name of the Lord is, of course, to invoke His name in faith. His name speaks of what He is. He who calls upon the name of the Lord puts his trust in Him, as it is written, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, and the righteous runneth into it and is safe (Proverbs 18:10)." |
