Used as an invitation to baptism or as part of the words addressed to baptismal candidates: an appeal to arise, be baptized, and have sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord. Can be read aloud before the baptismal act or included in baptismal vows and liturgies.
Thematic focusRepentance, cleansing, initiation into Christ, salvation by calling on Jesus' name.
Connections to tradition
Directly supports the sacrament/rite of Baptism (rite of Christian initiation) and is often cited in baptismal preparation and liturgies to link conversion with the act of baptism and calling on Christ.
Read as a scriptural testimony during corporate worship, witness services, or catechesis. Serves as a model for personal testimonies: recounting former life, the heavenly encounter, the startling call of Christ, and immediate transformation.
Thematic focusPersonal encounter with Christ, revelation, transformation, repentance, divine initiative in salvation.
Connections to tradition
Used in contexts emphasizing conversion testimonies, baptismal testimonies, and evangelistic services; undergirds the practice of public testimony and conversion narratives in worship.
Used in commissioning services for missionaries, church-planters, and ordained ministers. Incorporated into ordination and sending prayers that send a person into ministry 'to the Gentiles' or to particular fields of service, invoking obedience to the Lord's call.
Thematic focusMission, obedience to God's call, vocation, cross-cultural witness.
Connections to tradition
Forms a biblical basis for sending prayers in ordination and missionary commissioning rites; echoes the New Testament pattern of being sent by Christ to proclaim the Gospel.
Used as a short prayer or litany line in services of discernment, ordination, or personal devotion: 'Lord, what will you have me to do?' Serves as a model for congregational or private prayers seeking God's direction.
Thematic focusSurrender, listening, guidance, readiness to obey God's will.
Connections to tradition
Employable in ordination liturgies, vocational retreats, and daily prayers of discernment; parallels historic practice of seeking God's will before entering ministry.
Employed as a responsive reading or litany pairing confession of past hostility toward Christ with the call to repentance and baptismal cleansing. The congregation or leader can confess errors and affirm the call to be washed and to call upon the Lord.
Thematic focusConfession of sin, repentance, forgiveness, restoration through baptism.
Connections to tradition
Appropriate for penitential services, preparation for baptism, and seasons emphasizing repentance; connects confession with the scriptural remedy—washing and calling on the Lord.