Lesson 20

The Calling

  1. What is meant by the calling?
    It is that work of God's grace whereby the sinner is called out of darkness into God's marvelous light. I Peter 2:9.

  2. Whom does God call?
    Only the elect, Romans 8:30: "And whom He did predestinate them he also called."

  3. How does God call His people?
    Externally through the preaching of the gospel and internally through the operation of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. II Timothy 1:9-10.

  4. What is the external call of the gospel?
    It is the official proclamation of the gospel by the church through her called and ordained ministry.

  5. What is the internal call of the Spirit?
    It is the efficacious work of the Spirit whereby the truth of the gospel is worked in the hearts of those called. Matthew 13:16; I Corinthians 2:10, 12; Ephesians 1:18.

  6. But does not the call of the gospel also come to others than the elect?
    Yes, for many are called but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14.

  7. Where is the gospel preached?
    To all those to whom God in His good pleasure sends it.

  8. What is the significance of the call of the gospel for the elect?
    It is the means by which God gathers His church from all nations of the earth.

  9. What is the significance of the call of the gospel for the reprobate wicked?
    It reveals the perversity of their sinful heart as they reject the gospel and it aggravates their judgment. Matthew 11:24; John 8:24.

EXTRA WORK:

  1. Look up II Corinthians 2:15-17 and answer the following questions:
    1. What does Paul mean when he says, "we are a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish?"
    2. What is the meaning of "savor of death unto death?"
    3. What is the meaning of "savor of life unto life?"
  2. What does Canons II, 5 say about the question, "To whom ought the gospel to be preached?"
  3. Read the parable of the four kinds of soil in Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23 and describe the different reactions to the gospel of which Jesus speaks.
  4. Read the First Point of common grace, adopted by the Christian Reformed Church, and answer these questions:
    1. What is meant by the "general offer of the gospel?"
    2. Is the call of the gospel such a general offer? Give proof.
  5. Read Lord's Day 31 of the Heidelberg Catechism and answer the question whether the call of the gospel is also a command to repent and believe.
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