Calling According to the Bible
Calling is very closely related to election.
Rom. 8:30 "Whom He did predestinate, them He also called"
The question here might be stated as follows: "I came to Christ-how did I come?"
I came by myself (Pelagian)
I started to come and God helped me (Semi-pelagian)
God started to bring me and I cooperated (Armenian)
God brought me and I did not resist (Lutheran)
God brought me to Christ (Calvanism)
I. THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF A CALL WHICH INVITES ALL WHO HEAR TO COME FOR SALVATION
Isa. 55:1
Matt. 11:28
John 7:37-38
Rev. 22:17
1. This call may be resisted
Matt. 22:1-6
Matt. 23:37
Acts 7:51
Heb. 4:6-7
2. For rejecting this "call" men are held responsible and punished
Matt. 22:7
Heb. 12:25
2 Thess. 1:7-9
3. The fact that men are punished for rejecting this "call" proves that it is a genuine offer of salvation, not merely a sham.
And if it is a genuine offer, then our Lord's work on the cross must have been unlimited in its reach and value.
If Christ died only for the elect, then this "call" extended to all men is nothing but a hypocritical sham.
II. THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF A CALL WHICH NOT ONLY INVITES BUT ACTUALLY BRINGS SINNERS TO SALVATION.
Rom. 8:28, 30a
1 Cor. 1:26
1. This "call" always accomplishes its purpose.
Luke 14:15-23 (General call resisted in 16-21a Effective call answered in 21b-23)
2. Yet this "call" does not violate man's freedom, nor force him to come against his will
Acts 16:14
John 6:45
Phil 2:12-13
3. The reason for this "call" is God's eternal purpose toward us in Christ Jesus, not any work of ours.
2 Tim 1:9
4. This "call" of God is certain as to its final issue
1 Thess. 5:23-24
Rom. 8:30b "Them also He glorified"
5. But it certainly does not relieve those called of their personal responsibility
1 Tim. 6:12
2 Pet. 1:10
Rev. 17:14
III. THE MEANS THROUGH WHICH GOD EXTENDS THIS EFFICACIOUS "CALL" TO SALVATION
1. The instrument of this "call" is the gospel.
2 Thess. 2:14
2. The efficacious power of this "call" is in the Holy Spirit
1 Thess. 1:5
The Gospel "came not in word only" (the universal call)
"But also in power and in the Holy Ghost" (the efficacious call)
IV. THE GLORIOUS NATURE OF THE "CALL"
1. As to its source, it is a "heavenly calling"--Heb. 3:1 cf. Heb. 12:28-29
"Not unto a mount that might be touched" (18)
"But....unto Mount Zion...the heavenly Jerusalem" (22)
2. As to its blessings, it is a "High Calling" --Phil. 3:14
We are called:
(1). To freedom from Law-Gal. 5:13 "Ye have been called unto liberty"
(2). To belong to Jesus Christ-Rom. 1:6 "Among whom ye are ye also the called of Jesus Christ"
(3). To the peace of God-Col. 3:15
(4). To the fellowship of God's Son 1 Cor. 1:9
(5). To God's kingdom and glory-1 Thess. 2:12
3. As to its responsibilities, it is a "Holy Calling"-2 Tim. 1:9
It is a call:
(1) To be saints-Rom. 1:7
(2) Out of darkness into God's light-1 Pet. 2:9
(3) Unto holiness-1 Thess. 4:7
(4) To follow Christ as an example-1 Pet. 2:21-23
(5) To walk worthily of our calling-Eph. 4:1
CONCLUSION:
1. See Matt. 22:1-14 for a perfect parabolic outline of our entire study.
(1-4) The Gospel call
(5-6) The decision (here it is adverse, as always apart from the special working of a sovereign God)
(7) Human responsibility
(8-10) The special call
(11-13) The human responsibility
(14) The doctrine of election
2. Some say these doctrines are divisive
This is true, but all truth has this effect. It has always been so.
John 6:26-30, 37-41, 47-52, 58-60, 64-66, 67-69!
3. Some argue that God is not just in extending this special call to some and not to others
But to some, God has not brought a call of any kind.
Remember the special call does not shut out any man.
Remember, if you find fault with God on this point, you are finding fault with Him for saving you because He doesn't save all.
Remember God's last word in the Bible is not about election or a special call, but a gracious call to all men.
Rev. 22:17
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