Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 120:480 (Oct 1963)
Article: The Call of God
Author: Greg Peters

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BSac 120:480 (Oct 63) p. 322

The Call of God

George W. Peters

[Editor’s Note: This article by Dr. Peters first appeared in outline form four years ago in a Sunday School quarterly published by the Mennonite Brethren Publishing Company, Hillsboro, Kansas.]

The word group of call, called, calling is used in the New Testament in numerous relationships. This may be seen from the following quotations: “called…by his grace” (Gal 1:15); “called…by our gospel” (2 Thess 2:14); “called…with an holy calling” (2 Tim 1:9); “called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28); “eternal life, whereunto thou art also called” (1 Tim 6:12); “called the children of God” (1 John 3:1); “called to be saints” (Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2); “called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor 1:9); “called unto liberty” (Gal 5:13); “called…to peace” (1 Cor 7:15); “called…to glory and virtue” (2 Pet 1:3); “called, that ye should inherit a blessing” (1 Pet 3:9); “called…unto his kingdom and glory” (1 Thess 2:12).

This list could be extended considerably to show that the call and calling of God is most inclusive in a Christian’s life. We believe, however, that we do no violence to the Scriptures when we state that basically the Bible confronts us with a threefold call: the call to salvation, the call to discipleship, and the call to the ministry of the Word. Let us consider the call of God in this order for our own spiritual orientation and to make our calling and election sure.

The Call to Salvation

The divine call to salvation according to the Bible comes in the form of invitations, promises, and commands. As an invitation we hear the voice of the Spirit in such familiar passages as Isaiah 1:18; 45:22; 55:1–3; Matthew 11:26–30; John 7:37–39; Revelation 22:18.

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