Specificity of God's Calling to Salvation in Scripture
The Concept of God's Calling to Salvation in Scripture
The concept of God's calling to salvation is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing God's initiative and sovereignty in the salvation process. According to Scripture, God's call is an invitation to accept His offered grace, addressed to all people, Jews and Gentiles alike [2].
Biblical Foundations
The biblical basis for God's calling to salvation is found in various passages. In the Old Testament, the concept is linked to God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt and other instances of salvation (Ex 14:13) [3]. The Psalmist cries out to "God of our salvation" for help and deliverance (1 Chronicles 16:35; Psalms 79:9) [6, 7]. In the New Testament, the call is associated with the gospel message, inviting people to salvation through Jesus Christ (Matt 28:19; Mark 16:15; Rom 9:24, 25) [2].
Nature of God's Call
God's call is not limited to a specific group but is universal, extending to all nations. The prophecy in Isaiah foretells the salvation of the Gentiles, indicating God's intention to save people beyond Israel (Isa 45:22; 49:6; 52:10) [1]. This universal call is a demonstration of God's long-suffering character, exercised toward both His people and the wicked, with the object of leading them to repentance (2Pe 3:9; Ro 2:4) [4].
Election and Calling
The doctrine of election is closely related to God's calling. Scripture speaks of an election of individuals to eternal life, with the ground of this election being God's good pleasure (Eph 1:4, 5, 11; 2 Thess 2:13) [5]. The calling is effective, resulting in salvation, and is associated with a holy calling, where believers are set apart for a life of holiness (2 Timothy 1:9) [14].
Response to God's Call
The response to God's call involves faith and repentance. Believers are considered "dead in trespasses and sins" but are made alive together with Christ through faith (Eph 2:5) [9]. This new life is a result of God's grace and is characterized by a transformation, where the old sinful nature is put off, and a new nature is put on (Col 3:9-10; Eph 4:24) [11, 13].
Assurance of Salvation
The assurance of salvation is a significant aspect of God's calling. Believers are guarded through faith to a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5) [8]. This salvation is not just a future hope but is also experienced in the present, with believers being united with Christ and sharing in His resurrection (Eph 2:6; Col 3:1-4) [12].
The specificity of God's calling to salvation in Scripture underscores the personal and relational nature of God's interaction with humanity. It highlights God's initiative in salvation and the transformative power of His call, which not only invites individuals to salvation but also empowers them to live a life of holiness and good works (Eph 2:10) [10].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Salvation — Is of God -- Ps 3:8; 37:39; Jer 3:23. Is of the purpose of God -- 2Ti 1:9. Is of the appointment of God -- 1Th 5:9. God is willing to give -- 1Ti 2:4. Is by Christ -- Isa 63:9; Eph 5:23. Is by Christ alone -- Isa 45:21,22; 59:16; Ac 4:12. Announced after the fall -- Ge 3:15. Of Israel, predicted -- Isa 35:4; 45:17; Zec 9:16; Ro 11:26. Of the Gentiles, predicted -- Isa 45:22; 49:6; 52:10. Revealed in the gospel -- Eph 1:13; 2Ti 1:10. Came to the Gentiles through the fall of the Jews -- Ro 11:11. Christ The Captain of. -- Heb 2:10. The Author of. -- Heb 5:9”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Call — (1.) To cry for help, hence to pray (Gen. 4:26). Thus men are said to "call upon the name of the Lord" (Acts 2:21; 7:59; 9:14; Rom. 10:12; 1 Cor. 1:2). (2.) God calls with respect to men when he designates them to some special office (Ex. 31:2; Isa. 22:20; Acts 13:2), and when he invites them to accept his offered grace (Matt. 9:13; 11:28; 22:4). In the message of the gospel his call is addressed to all men, to Jews and Gentiles alike (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Rom. 9:24, 25). But this universal call is not inseparably connected with salvation, although it leav”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Salvation — This word is used of the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians (Ex. 14:13), and of deliverance generally from evil or danger. In the New Testament it is specially used with reference to the great deliverance from the guilt and the pollution of sin wrought out by Jesus Christ, "the great salvation" (Heb. 2:3). (See [546]REDEMPTION; [547]REGENERATION.)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
- 1 Chronicles “Say, “Save us, God of our salvation! Gather us together and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise.” -- 1 Chronicles 16:35”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 79:9 — Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.”
- I Peter “I Peter 1:5 (LITV) — by the power of God, having been guarded through faith to a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time;”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
- 2 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 1:9: Who . . . called us--namely, God the Father (Gal 1:6). The having "saved us" in His eternal purpose of "grace, given us in Christ before the world began," precedes his actual "calling" of us in due time with a call made effective to us by the Holy Spirit; therefore, "saved us" comes before "called us" (Rom 8:28-30). holy calling--the actual call to a life of holiness. Heb 3:1, "heavenly calling" [TITTMANN, Greek Synonyms of the New Testament]; whereas we were sinners and enemies (Eph 1:18; Eph 4:1). The call comes wholly from God and claims us whol”