Calling on the Name of the Lord
“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” — Romans 10:13
“To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints, with all those who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place.” — 1 Corinthians 1:2
Biblical Testimony
Beginning in Genesis
Genesis 4:26 records that in the days of Enosh, “men began to call upon the name of Jehovah.” God’s people moved from private communion with God to open, corporate calling on His name — one of the oldest spiritual practices in Scripture.
The Hebrew word for “call” is קָרָא (qārā’, H7121), meaning “to cry out, to call by name.” In a worship context, it specifically denotes calling on God’s name with the voice — not silent contemplation, but an audible cry from the mouth. (Blue Letter Bible: H7121)
As Abraham camped throughout Canaan, he built altars at each location and “called on the name of Jehovah” (Gen. 12:8; 13:4). David called in distress (Ps. 18:6); Elijah called on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:24); Joel prophesied that in the last days, “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved” (Joel 2:32).
Fulfillment and Expansion in the New Testament
On the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted Joel: “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). This was not merely the fulfillment of an end-times prophecy but a declaration about the present reality — the Spirit had been poured out, and calling is the way to receive Him.
Paul, in Romans 10:13–14, connects calling directly to faith, preaching, and hearing:
“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him into whom they have not believed?”
The middle voice of “call upon” (Greek ἐπικαλέω, epikaleō, G1941) emphasizes an active calling for oneself — faith expressed in voice. (BibleHub: G1941) Calling does not replace faith; it is faith’s outlet — inner belief expressed outwardly in voice.
1 Corinthians 1:2 offers a striking definition: Paul describes “all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” as the common designation for all believers. This was not a specialized spiritual discipline but the identifying mark of early Christians — so visible that persecutors specifically hunted “those who call on this name” (Acts 9:14, 21). (BibleRef: 1 Cor. 1:2)
2 Timothy 2:22 reveals the corporate dimension: Paul exhorts Timothy to “pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Calling on the Lord was never a solitary practice.
Understanding in Church History
Historically, the church understood calling on the name of the Lord in two contexts:
The context of salvation — calling is the entry point of salvation, as Peter presented on Pentecost. It is not a work but faith’s expression from the mouth.
The context of worship — Matthew Henry’s commentary on Genesis 4:26 notes that the days of Enosh marked a new beginning of religion: “those that were godly began to distinguish themselves … calling themselves the sons of God,” separating themselves from the ungodly path of Cain’s descendants. (Blue Letter Bible: Matthew Henry on Gen 4) Worship was not merely inward but an audible, public act.
Historically, the church did not develop calling into an independent daily devotional practice; most traditions placed it within the broader category of prayer and worship.
Emphasis in the Lord’s Recovery
Brother Watchman Nee pointed out that 1 Corinthians 1:2 gives all believers a collective identity: those who call on the name of the Lord. This is not the exclusive property of a gifted few but the basic practice of every believer.
Brother Witness Lee built on this foundation, expanding calling on the name of the Lord from the entry point of salvation into the core practice of daily spiritual life. In his book Calling on the Name of the Lord and in the fourth level, lesson twenty of the Life Lessons, he systematically expounds the biblical basis and spiritual function of this practice. (bibleread.online: Calling on the Name of the Lord)
He pointed out that “prayer” can be silent, but “calling” must be audible — not a cultural preference, but a requirement of the Hebrew qārā’ and Greek epikaleō at the lexical level. (Ministry Samples: Calling on the Name of the Lord)
Brother Witness Lee summarized the purpose of calling in several dimensions:
- Salvation — “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13)
- Enjoying the Lord’s riches — “He is rich to all who call upon Him” (Rom. 10:12)
- Receiving the Spirit — God has poured out His Spirit; calling is the way to receive the Spirit already poured out
- Exercising the spirit — “Calling on the name of the Lord is the easiest, fastest, and best way to exercise our spirit, touch our spirit, and maintain a strong spirit”
- Nourishing the inner life — “Whenever we call on Him, He comes to us in a spiritual way” (Ministry Samples: Enjoying the Outpoured Spirit)
He also stressed the conditions of calling: with a pure heart (2 Tim. 2:22), opening the mouth, and calling together with fellow members.
Comparison
| Historical Orthodox | Lord’s Recovery | |
|---|---|---|
| Core emphasis | Calling is an act of salvation and worship | Calling is the core practice of daily spiritual life, encompassing salvation, enjoyment, and exercising the spirit |
| Audible or silent | No special emphasis; prayer can be silent | Explicitly emphasizes audibility — the lexical meaning of “calling” requires voice |
| Frequency | In worship and prayer | A continuous practice throughout the day, anywhere and anytime |
| Corporate dimension | Praying together in worship | Calling together in gatherings is a mark of church life |
| Key scriptures | Joel 2:32; Rom. 10:13; Acts 2:21 | 1 Cor. 1:2 (callers as believers’ identity); Rom. 10:12 (the Lord’s riches); 2 Tim. 2:22 (with pure-hearted companions) |
| Relation to the Spirit | Calling proceeds with the Spirit’s help | Calling directly exercises the spirit and enables one to receive and enjoy the Spirit |
| Where they agree | Calling has biblical warrant as the way God’s people express faith toward God | Consistent with historical orthodoxy, deepening it |
| Where they differ | Did not develop calling into a systematic daily practice | Links calling directly to exercising the spirit and enjoying Christ — a systematic daily devotional method |
Discernment
Form and substance in calling: Brother Witness Lee’s own teaching includes a self-warning: calling must be “out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22). Outward audibility is not equivalent to genuine calling. If calling becomes mechanical repetition while the heart wanders, it loses its biblical substance. Isaiah 29:13’s warning remains in force: “this people draw near with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”
Volume has no bearing on spiritual depth: In 1 Corinthians 1:2, “calling on the name of the Lord” is the common mark of all believers, not the exclusive practice of a particular method. The loudness of one’s voice is not the measure of a call’s genuineness; the heart’s real turning toward the Lord is.
Back to the Foundation
When we call on Him, we are not trying to get God’s attention. We are turning toward the One who is already present — receiving the fullness He has already poured out.