In a prophecy about the day of the Lord the prophet Joel wrote under divine inspiration: "Whoever calls on the name of the LORD [YHVH] shall be saved" (Joel 2:32). The apostles recognized what the name of the Lord is by which we have salvation.

On the day of Pentecost in 31 A.D. Peter replied to the comment that the speaking in tongues on that day had occurred under the influence of new wine by quoting from Joel 2: "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord [YHVH in Joel] shall be saved" (Acts 2:21). Peter concluded his Pentecost sermon with the statement: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" (verse 36).

The apostle Paul wrote the church in Rome about the name by which we have salvation and also quoted from Joel 2: "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved . . . For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord [YHVH in Joel] shall be saved" (Romans 10:9. 12-13).

Continuing his thought, Paul emphasizes the responsibility that we share to make the name of Lord known: "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 preacher?" (verse 14).

Testifying before the Sanhedrin, Peter made the connection between Joel 2, verse 32 and Jesus Christ of Nazareth unmistakably clear: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12; cf. verse 10).

Let's thank God that the name of the Lord was preached to us — the name by which we are saved!

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!