This is an era of “I have been called by God.” This is freely and confidently expressed by every Dick, Tom and Harry. The reason then why we have so many mush-room denominations otherwise tagged “churches or ministries”. The unguarded moment which has brewed the unguarded statement also accounts for the galaxy of self-designated Apostles, Founder-Pastors, Presidents, Primates, Reverends and many other meaningless titles which must precede the regular nomenclatures of the charlatan’s turned “men” of God.
What baffles us, is the wrong signal which these confused men are sending to the ignorant but innocent world. The self-appointed “spokesmen” of God are presenting the God of the Bible as a confused being like themselves. The God, who revealed Himself in the Bible had, however clear term “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Cor.14:33 – emphasis mine).
When a self-styled apostle, is called for example, he receives a name, a doctrine and practice and even a ministry which are quite different from those of Rev./Dr. “Goat” who claims to have been called also by the same God. We do not believe in this their claim because the God of the Bible says He hates divisions or schism (1Cor. 1:10-13; 12:25; John 17:20-21).
One other surprising thing about these self-acclaimed “men of God” is that the very moment they are called; it automatically becomes a taboo to them to do any (secular) work again. A former bricklayer will throw away his shovel and head-pan while a carpenter will not be happy with any one who fails to address him as “Pastor/Rev. /Dr. Ram or Cat”. If we may ask, who among the people so called in the Bible is their example? Is it Paul, the ever-busy and ever-ready Apostle or Peter, who combined the work of an apostle with that of an evangelist and was also a bishop but never, for once, lorded it over the church?(1Cor. 11:1; Acts 20:33-35; 18:3; Eph. 4: 28; 2Thess. 3:6-12; 1Pet. 5:1-3). We therefore want to assure you that the whole counsel of God concerning His calling will be declared in this short outline and you will no longer remain under the bondage of these false prophets (1Jno. 4:1; Matt. 24:4; 2Pet. 2:1).
I. The nature of the ca1ling of God:
There are 3 ages in the Bible and God, its author, has in divers manners spoken in each of the ages (Heb. 1:1).
(a) The Patriarchal age (Gen. 3:8-10; 6:9&13; 12:1).
(b) The Mosaical age (Num. 12:6-8; Exo. 33:11; Amos 7:14).
(c) The Christian age (Heb. 1:2; Matt. 17:5; Jno. 3:16-18; 12:44-50).
Christ is the spokesman of God in this age and we must hear Him.
II. How does Jesus Christ call in these last days (Heb. 1:2)?
(a) There is only one form of calling (1Cor. 7:20; Eph. 4:4; 1:18; 2Thess. 1:11; 2Pet. 1:10; Heb. 3:1).
(b) The calling is for all and not for a selected few (1Cor. 7:24; Acts 2:39; Gal. 3:27&28).
(c) The gospel is the medium of the calling(1Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 10:17; 8-14; 1:16; 1Cor. 6:9; Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16 : 15& 16; 2Thess.2:14)
NOTE: Nobody is called again through vision or dream as being claimed in some quarters. Such a bogus claim amounts to another gospel (Gal. 1:6-9).
III Examples of those called by God through the gospel:
(a) The 3,000 Jews of the Pentecost day (Acts 2:14-41).
(b) The Samarians (Acts 8:4-8).
(c) The Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39).
(d) Saul (Paul in Greek) (Acts 9:1-18; 22:12-16).
(e) Cornelius (Acts 10:1-6; 34-43).
(f) The Jailer (Acts 16:25-34).
IV. The purpose of the calling:
1. To receive forgiveness of sin and salvation (Acts 2:38)
2. To be fellow citizens in His Kingdom (Col. 1:12-14; Acts 2:41&47; 1Cor. 1:9; 1Thess. 2:12).
3. To be saints/holy(Rom. 1:7; 1Cor. 1:2; Rom. 8:30; 2Tim. 1:9; 1Pet. 2:9; 1:15&16)
4. Called into liberty (Gal.5:1&13; 1Pet.2:16; Matt.11:28).
5. Called into God’s glory (1Pet. 5:10; Tit. 1:2).
NOTE: Men are called to be saved and the saved are added to the Church. Nobody was ever called to establish a denomination, ministry or whatever. Salvation comes first before a person can become a useful tool in the hand of God.
V. The attitude required of the called:
a. Abide in the calling (1Cor. 7:20; Eph. 4:1; Heb. 2:1-3).
b. Hold on to eternal life (1Tim. 6:11&12).
c. Make your calling and election sure (2Pet.1:10; Phil. 2: 12).
Conclusion: The calling of God from the biblical point of view is what we have highlighted above. The gospel of Christ is the only medium through which the calling is done and any contrary claim will amount to falsehood.
If you will believe His gospel, repent of your sins, confess your faith in Christ and submit yourself for water baptism, the Lord will save you and add you to His Church (Acts 2:47; Gal. 26, 27). He is calling you too today (2 Cor. 6:2).
Box 12003, Ibadan. Email: gbengafabunmi@yahoo.com