This coming Sunday’s message from Acts 8 focuses on the subject of evangelism- sharing the good news of the gospel. GOD’s heart is the salvation of those who do not believe. 2 Peter 3:9b declares, “GOD is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul writes, “I planted, Apollos watered, but GOD gave the increase.” He uses an agricultural analogy. The Christian shares the gospel – “plants the seed.” Another Christian shares the gospel with that person – “Apollos watered.” But, ultimately, GOD Himself does the saving – “GOD gave the increase.” In agriculture, the person plants the seed and waters the seed. But GOD produces the harvest.
Romans 10:13 declares “For whoever calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved.” The “whoever” means just that – anyone – any ethnicity. Actually, this verse is a direct quote from another Bible verse written hundreds of years previously – Joel 2:32.
Just what does it mean when it says “Whoever calls upon the name of the LORD?”
John MacArthur, in his commentary on Romans, wrote:
“To call upon the name of JESUS as LORD is to recognize and submit to His deity, His authority, His sovereignty, His power, His majesty, His Word and His grace. Everyone, Jew or Gentile, who does so will be saved.”
Calling on the name of the LORD involves both repentance and faith. In Acts 20:21, Paul reminds us that calling on the name of the LORD is an act of “repentance toward GOD and faith toward our LORD JESUS CHRIST.”
“Whoever calls on the name of the LORD” is followed by this phrase – “shall be saved.” “Shall be saved” is a verb:
· Future tense – If you call on the name of the LORD (which looks to the future) then you will be saved.
· Indicative mood – Verse 13 is a statement of fact. It will happen. Write it down. When a person calls on the name of the LORD, that person will be saved.
· Passive voice – In other words, a person does not save himself/herself. A person doesn’t work for his/her salvation. JESUS Himself does the saving. The person calling on the name of the LORD is the recipient of this salvific event. Titus 3:5 declares, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the HOLY SPIRIT.”
Romans 10:14 shows the significant role the Christian plays in the salvation of the lost. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a witness?”
Verse 14 reminds us of our responsibility of sharing the gospel. Lost people will never be aware that they need to be saved unless someone tells them.
This Sunday’s message from Acts 8 will illustrate for us the way to seek the lost and to share the gospel. As we contemplate evangelism, we must remember that our responsibility is not the results. Our responsibility is to be obedient to share the gospel when GOD’s SPIRIT leads us to a person who needs to hear the message.
Pastor Mike