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The New Testament concept of calling necessitates a distinction between the two different kinds of calling. Those who simply state that “the calling of God is one” do not do justice to the Biblical material. We must distinguish between the Gospel Call and the Effectual Call. They are not the same thing and should never be confused with each other.

The Gospel Call does not necessarily include the effectual call for the preaching of the Word can be “in word only,” devoid of the power of the Holy Spirit (I Thess. 1:5). But the Effectual Call always comes in the context of the Gospel Call. Thus while the Effectual Call is always connected with the Gospel Call, the Gospel Call can be given without the Effectual Call being an attendant. The following contrast between the Gospel Call and the Effectual Call should be helpful at this point.

The Gospel Call The Effectual Call
1. The Gospel call is universal and general for it is given to all sinners irrespective of their race, rank, or religion: see Matt. 20:16; 28:19, 20; Mk. 16:15, 16. 1. The Effectual call is particular and special for it is given only to the elect: see Matt. 22:14; Jn. 6:37-44, 65; Rom. 8:28-30; I Cor. 1:24-26; I Peter. 2:9; II Pet. 1:10; Rev. 17:14
2. The Gospel Call comes outwardly and objectively to all sinners. It is the Gospel message put in the ear of man: see Matt. 28:19, 20; Mk. 16:15, 16; Acts 17:22-34. 2. The Effectual Call is inward and subjective. It takes place in the heart of elect sinners: see Jn. 6:44, 65; Acts 16:14; I Cor. 1:9.
3. The Gospel Call is God’s gracious and sincere command, summons and invitation that all sinners everywhere should repent and turn to Him through Christ: see Matt. 22:2-14; Mk. 16:15, 16 Lk. 14:16-24; 29:47; Acts 17:22-34. 3. The Effectual call is God’s supernatural act in which He ushers the elect sinner into salvation. Christ was “called out of Egypt” (Matt. 2:15). This “calling” cannot be understood as mere invitation but it actually means that God brought or ushered Christ out of Egypt. In this way, sinners are “called” out of sin in salvation: see Acts 2:39; I Cor. 1:9; Gal. 1:15; I Thess. 2:12.
4. The Gospel Call can be rejected and resisted by those who hear it: see Acts 7:51; 13:46; 17:22-34; II Thess. 1:8; 2:12; Heb. 4:1, 2; Jud. 4. 4. The Effectual Call is irresistible, and immutable. It is always effectual in bringing the elect sinner to Christ: see Jn. 6:37-44, 65; Acts 16:14; Rom. 1:6-8’ 8:28-30; Gal. 1:15; I Thess. 2:12.
5. The Gospel Call is given by man through the preaching or teaching of the Word of God: see Matt. 28:19, 20; Mk. 16:15, 16. 5. The Effectual Call is given by God, mysteriously and sovereignly working salvation in the hearts of sinners: see Acts 16:14; Rom. 8:28-30; 11:29; I Cor. 1:9, 30; Gal. 1:15; I Thess. 2:12.
6. By itself, the Gospel Call can produce the temporary blessings of common grace and thus act as a restraint against sin: see II Thess. 2:7; I Tim. 1:8-11 6. The Effectual Call produces eternal blessings of special grace unto salvation: see Matt. 11:25-30; Jn. 6:36-44, 65; 10:10, 27-29; 17:2; Heb. 9:15.
7. The Gospel Call is based on the Creator-creature relationship. All sinners are told to repent and believe the Gospel because God created them and it is the duty of all men to worship their Creator: see Acts 17:22-34; Rom. 1:18-32. 7. The Effectual Call is based on the redemptive work of God. Those chosen by the Father, and purchased by the Son will be called into eternal salvation. Because Christ died for them, all the elect will be effectually called unto salvation: see Jn. 6:37-44, 65, 10:10, 27-29; Heb. 9:15; Jude 1; Rev. 17:14.

(adapted from “Studies in the Atonement” by Robert Morey)

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