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Calling and Preaching

The efficacious calling is sometimes referred to as the internal calling because it involves the sovereign and irresistible work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of God's people.  It is then distinguished from the external calling, i.e., the preaching of the Word.

Scripture makes it clear that not all who hear Christ calling in the preaching of the Gospel hear Him calling internally by the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart.  Thus, not all are saved under the preaching of the gospel.

In other words, that some are saved under the preaching of the gospel and others are not is not due to some difference in them, but to a difference in God's work!  That is why Matt. 20:16 and 22:14 say, "For many are called (outwardly), but few are chosen."

They do not say, "Many are called, but few respond," for that would leave the impression that the difference lay in us.  Instead, the difference lies ultimately in God's choosing some and not others, according to which choice He also calls some both outwardly and inwardly and not others. 

However, though Scripture uses the word "call" to refer to both an outward and an inward call, we must remember that the inward call comes through the outward, that is, through the preaching.  Indeed, that is why the same word is used to describe both.

We see this in Romans 10:17; "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."  And this verse is summing up what vss. 10-14 say.  There an inseparable connection is made between believing unto salvation and hearing a preacher.

This is the great reason why the church has the calling to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth.  It is the means by which God calls those whom He has chosen to salvation and by which He through the Spirit works inwardly in them. 

We would emphasize, too, that because the Holy Spirit works through preaching, the preaching of the gospel is its own power.  It is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom. 1:16, cf. also I Cor. 1:18, 24).  It does not require eloquence, begging, or other sorts of gimmicks to make it effectual.

Because Christ speaks in the preaching (as we saw last issue) and because the Spirit works through preaching, the preaching of the gospel is always a power, though not always a power unto salvation.  Where Christ speaks and the Spirit works it is impossible to remain unaffected.  Either one is saved or one is hardened under the preaching of the gospel (cf. II Cor. 2:14-17).  No one can be neutral!

Thus through the preaching of the gospel God's purpose is realized and the merits of Christ made effectual.  Not one of the elect is lost nor one drop of the precious blood of Christ wasted.

It is, therefore, a very serious thing to come under the gospel.  Even those of us who are already saved by it should "give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip" (Heb. 2:1-3).  The gospel will always be either a savor of life unto life or of death unto death.

Last modified on 27 March 2013
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Additional Info

  • Volume: 5
  • Issue: 4
Hanko, Ronald

Rev. Ronald Hanko (Wife: Nancy)

Ordained: November 1979

Pastorates: Wyckoff, NJ - 1979; Trinity, Houston, TX - 1986; Missionary to N.Ireland - 1993; Lynden, WA - 2002

Website: www.lyndenprc.org/sermons/

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    317 North Park St.
  • City
    Lynden
  • State or Province
    WA
  • Zip Code
    98264
  • Country
    United States
  • Telephone
    360-354-4337
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