“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21 nkjv) Acts 2:21 has been called the Gospel in a Nutshell. There is a children’s song based on this verse. It goes like this: “‘Tis simple as can be, ‘Tis simple as can be, as clear as ABC.” Acts 2:21 makes the gospel simple and clear. We see in this verse: 1. A Universal Offer Notice the word “Whoever.” God’s offer of salvation is to whoever. God’s offer of salvation is to the rich, poor, elderly, young, married, single, educated, uneducated, male, female, and to every race and color. To absolutely every individual, God offers His love, mercy, and forgiveness. Not one person on this earth is excluded!
2. A Universal Condition Notice the condition, “Calls on the name of the Lord.”
In order to receive salvation, we must respond to God’s offer of love, mercy, and forgiveness. The only condition of salvation is faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). One must call upon the name of the Lord in faith. Saving Faith is always precededbyrepentance,agodly sorrow for sin.
3. A Universal Promise Notice the words, “Shall be saved.” To all that call upon the nameoftheLord,thepromiseis that they shall be saved. When the Bible speaks of salvation, it’s referring to deliverance from sin and the saving of the soul from eternal punishment. All of us need to be saved from our sins and the penalty of our sins. A promise is a statement that one will do or not do something. God promises, in this verse, that whoever calls on His name, He will save!
Thought for the week: Today, God offers His love, mercy, and forgiveness.
Prayer for the week: Pray that many in Madill will call on the name of the Lord.