After the Reformation, “calling upon the name of the Lord” continues as a technical phrase in Protestant (and later evangelical) theology for the believer’s God‑centered, faith‑filled prayer for salvation and ongoing communion with Christ. Reformed writers in particular connect it tightly to justification by faith (Rom 10:13) and to baptism and worship.[1][2]
## Reformed exegesis (Calvin, post‑Reformation Reformed)
– **Calvin on Acts 22:16**
Calvin comments that in “calling upon the name of the Lord,” Ananias “without question… meaneth Christ,” and that the name of Christ is invoked in baptism so that the Father may grant what is signified in it—participation in Christ’s death and resurrection. Calling on the Lord here is not a bare formula but the baptismal act of faith addressed to the risen Christ as Lord.[3][1]
– **Calvin on the Psalms**
On Psalm 66 and Psalm 134, Calvin treats the “form observed in calling upon the name of the Lord” as reverent, earnest prayer that joins heart and tongue and approaches God as he has appointed in worship. Lifting up hands and voice in the assembly is, for him, the public, corporate way the church calls on the Lord’s name.[4][5]
## Protestant and evangelical preaching
– **Post‑Reformation preaching on Psalm 116:13**
A later homiletic tradition on Psalm 116:13 interprets “I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord” as receiving Christ’s salvation and living in daily “fervent prayer” and thankful recognition of God. The sermon insists that no worship or service is acceptable until one has first “taken the cup of salvation” and then continually calls on the Lord for ongoing grace.[6]
– **Romans 10 and evangelical usage**
Protestant expositors often treat “calling upon the name of the Lord” in Romans 10:13 as a near‑technical description of the Christian: one who humbles himself before God, trusts his promises, and hopes in his mercy. Robert Haldane summarizes such calling as an act that “profoundly humbles… recognizes his power… believes his promises… and loves him as his Saviour,” highlighting its doxological and affective dimensions.[2]
## Calvinist debates on calling and regeneration
– Within Calvinist polemics, some argue that calling upon the Lord to be saved is itself the fruit of regeneration and thus not a work contributing to salvation. Critics respond that Rom 10:13 makes calling a necessary response to God’s promised gift without turning it into meritorious “work,” comparing it to a drowning person’s cry that does not earn rescue but receives it.[7][8]
– These debates show how the phrase becomes central in post‑Reformation soteriological discussion: “calling on the Lord” marks the human side of the salvation event (invocation in faith) while all efficacy is ascribed to divine grace.[8][7]
## Continuity with pre‑Reformation themes
– Later Protestant expositors echo patristic emphases: calling upon the Lord is seen as covenantal invocation of the divine Name (drawing on Abram’s altar in Genesis 12–13) and as praise rooted in God’s steadfast character. Liturgical writers describe Christian worship as “calling upon the name of the Lord to remember His unfailing promises,” consciously aligning Reformation and later practice with biblical and early Christian usage.[9][10]
Sources
[1] John Calvin: Commentary on Acts – Volume 2 https://www.ccel.org/ccel/
[2] ‘How beautiful are the feet . . .’ – Banner of Truth USA https://banneroftruth.org/us/
[3] Acts 22 – Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible – StudyLight.org https://www.studylight.org/
[4] John Calvin – Psalm 66:17-20 – Christian Classics Ethereal Library https://ccel.org/ccel/calvin/
[5] John Calvin’s Commentary on Psalm 134 | Psalms.org https://psalms.org/study/john-
[6] Psalm 116:13 Sermons: I will take the cup of salvation, and call on … https://biblehub.com/sermons/
[7] Question for Calvinists, Do you call upon the name of the Lord to be … https://www.facebook.com/
[8] The Calvinist God created most of Mankind for torment in Hell https://www.
[9] Genesis 12:4-9: Building Altars to the Lord – Covenant Fellowship … https://cfcstuttgart.org/
[10] Call on the name of the Lord – Qld District – lcaqd https://qld.lca.org.au/2019/
[11] Psalm 66 Calvin’s Commentaries – Bible Hub https://biblehub.com/
[12] What Is Calling on the Name of the Lord? | Truth For The World https://truthfortheworld.org/
[13] [PDF] Calling on the name of the Lord Matthew 14: 22-33 & Romans 10 https://chapel.duke.edu/
[14] What does “calling on the name of the Lord” mean in Genesis 13? https://www.facebook.com/
[15] | Bible.org https://bible.org/series/
