What does the bible say about sinners calling on the name of the Lord?
Answer
Basically, it says that is how a sinner becomes saved.
For, 'Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' [quoting Acts 2:21] 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? And how shall they preach except they be sent? (Romans 10:13-15)
Twice in scripture the church is called those "who call on the name of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 9:14). Since the church is made up of people who were sinners, obviously at some point they called on the name of the Lord.
The big question among people professing Christianity is how does one call on the name of the Lord? Fortunately, the scripture tells us. In Acts 22 Paul recounts his conversion. While he was still a sinner, although he had been praying to God for three days, a man named Ananias came to him and told him the good news about Jesus Christ. He ended by saying (Acts 22:16), "And now, what are you waiting for? Arise, and be immersed [baptized], and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Ananias, and Paul, equated calling on the name of the Lord with immersion in water for the washing away of sin. Calling on the name of the Lord is obviously more than merely praying for forgiveness and for "Jesus to come into your life." Paul did that for three whole days, and was still not saved. It involves accepting Jesus on his terms, being obedient and not merely offering lip service. "Not everyone who says to me "Lord, Lord" shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)