SALVATION-CALL
It is the
voice of Christ that wakens the dead soul. Jesus speaks through the Bible,
through ministers, through providences. His voice can reach the dead. He quickeneth whom He will. They that hear, live.
Comfort and Sorrow, Christian Focus
Publishers, 2002, p. 135-136, Used by Permission.
When the
voice of Christ speaks through the Word, then you will arise, and leave all,
and follow Him.
Robert Murray McCheyne
Comfort and Sorrow, Christian Focus
Publishers, 2002, p. 138, Used by Permission.
We believe that the Scriptures distinguish between a general work
of conviction by the Spirit – such as may make an Esau weep and a Felix tremble
– and the special, life-conferring call, given by the grace of a sovereign God
to those whom He has chosen. Only those who are predestinated receive this call and it is clearly stated not
to follow justifying faith but to precede it (Rom. 8:30; Acts 13:48, etc.) and
to secure the consent of those to
whom it is given (John 6:36, 37; Eph. 2:1-8). It is those who are born again
who “see the kingdom of God” and thus
believe the gospel.
Iain
Murray
The Invitation System, By Permission of the
Banner of Truth Trust, Carlisle PA. 1967, p. 24.
Nothing will be ambiguous if we hold fast to what ought
to be clear from the foregoing: that there are two kinds of call. There is the
general call, by which God invites all equally to Himself through the outward
preaching of the word – even those to whom He holds it out as a savor of death
(cf. 2 Cor. 2:16), and as the occasion for severer condemnation. The other kind
of call is special, which He designs for the most part to give to the believers
alone, while by the inward illumination of His Spirit he causes the preached
Word to dwell in their hearts.
John Calvin
Institutes, 3.24.8.
The external call may therefore be
defined as the presentation of the gospel and offer of salvation to all
sinners. This call or invitation to come to Christ to receive the forgiveness
of sins is indiscriminate, which is to say it is not restricted to any one
group, age, class, or nation. [It] is
simply the command of God that all men everywhere should repent and believe in
order that they might be saved (see Matt. 11:28; 28:19; Luke 24:47; John
16:7-8; Acts 17:30; Rev. 22:17). This call, because it is external only, may be
resisted and refused (see especially Acts 7:51; John 16:7-11).
Sam
Storms
Order of Salvation, November 8, 2006, www.enjoyinggodministries.com.
Used by Permission.
The “internal”
call, on the other hand, may be defined as that summons by which God not only
invites a woman externally in the gospel, but also internally enables her to
respond to it. Thus the internal call is, in a sense, the external call with an
added dimension. Attendant with the spoken word of the gospel is the
regenerating work of the Holy Spirit which irresistibly secures a positive,
saving response from the one called.
Sam
Storms
Order of Salvation, November 8, 2006, www.enjoyinggodministries.com.
Used by Permission.
Although the internal call which comes only to the elect
is ultimately efficacious, it is not always immediately efficacious. Many of
the elect hear the external call of the gospel for years and resist the summons
in persistent, callous unbelief... But eventually, if they are elect, in God's
appointed time they will believe.
Sam
Storms
Order of Salvation, November 8, 2006, www.enjoyinggodministries.com.
Used by Permission.