Reference: Calling
Easton
a profession, or as we usually say, a vocation (1Co 7:20). The "hope of your calling" in Eph. 4:4 is the hope resulting from your being called into the kingdom of God.
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let every man continue in the same state he was in when he turn'd christian.
Morish
The words ?????, ??????, ??????, have various applications in scripture. There is:
1. the usual position or occupation of a person, as slave or freeman: the Christian is exhorted to continue in his calling if he can do so with God. 1Co 7:20-24.
2. The general 'call' or invitation by the gospel, in contradistinction from those that are 'chosen.' Mt 20:16; 22:14.
3. God's call to individuals, when he also makes them willing to obey: as when Abraham was called to leave his country and kindred. Heb 11:8.
4. In an absolute sense for salvation: 'whom he did predestinate, them he also called: whom he called, them he also justified.' Ro 8:30; 11:29. The saints are saints by calling; the apostles were apostles by calling. Ro 1:1,7. The Christian is exhorted to use diligence to make his 'calling and election' sure, 2Pe 1:10, evidently not in the mind of God, but in his own mind.
5. We read of the 'high' calling, the 'holy' calling, and the 'heavenly' calling. Php 3:14; 2Ti 1:9; Heb 3:1. The 'vocation' in Eph 4:1 is the same word.
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thus the last shall be first, and the first last: for though many are invited, few have precedence.
thus many are called, but few are converted.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, chosen to declare the gospel dispensation,
to all the beloved of God, the saints by this vocation, who are in Rome, grace to you, and peace from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
but whom he predispos'd, he calls: and whom he has call'd, he justifies: and whom he has justified, he glorifies.
for the divine gifts and vocation are irrevocable.
let every man continue in the same state he was in when he turn'd christian. were you called being a slave? be not perplex'd about it; but if you can obtain your freedom, don't refuse it. read more. for the slave that turns christian, is the Lord's freedman: likewise, the freeman that becomes a convert is Christ's servant. have you been redeemed from slavery? then, don't turn slaves. brethren, let every man conscientiously continue in the state he was in when he was converted.
I therefore the prisoner for the Lord, beseech you to live suitably to the offers that have been made to you:
I press towards the mark for the prize to which God has called me from above by Jesus Christ.
attach'd to the truth, that has been taught him, that he may be able to teach others sound doctrine, and to convince those who oppose it.
Wherefore, christian brethren, you who are called to an heavenly inheritance, consider the apostle and high priest of the faith we profess, even Christ Jesus;
'Twas by faith that he who was named Abraham, showed his obedience in travelling to a foreign country, which he was afterwards to inherit; and began his journey without knowing where he was going.
Wherefore be the more diligent, my brethren, to secure your vocation and election by your virtuous actions, for by so doing, you will never relapse:
Watsons
CALLING, a term in theology, which is taken in a different sense by the advocates and the impugners of the Calvinistic doctrine of grace. By the former it is thus stated: In the golden chain of spiritual blessings which the Apostle enumerates in Ro 8:30, originating in the divine predestination, and terminating in the bestowment of eternal glory on the heirs of salvation, that of calling forms an important link. "Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also glorified." Hence we read of "the called according to his purpose," Ro 8:28. There is indeed a universal call of the Gospel to all men; for wherever it comes it is the voice of God to those who hear it, calling them to repent and believe the divine testimony unto the salvation of their souls; and it leaves them inexcusable in rejecting it, Joh 3:14-19; but this universal call is not inseparably connected with salvation; for it is in reference to it that Christ says, "Many are called, but few are chosen," Mt 22:14. But the Scripture also speaks of a calling which is effectual, and which consequently is more than the outward ministry of the world; yea, more than some of its partial and temporary effects upon many who hear it, for it is always ascribed to God's making his word effectual through the enlightening and sanctifying influences of his Holy Spirit. Thus it is said, "Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but God giveth the increase," 1Co 3:6-7. Again, he is said to have "opened the heart of Lydia, that she attended to the doctrine of Paul," Ac 16:14. "No man can come unto Christ, except the Father draw him," Joh 6:44. Hence faith is said to be the gift of God, Eph 2:8; Php 1:29. The Spirit takes of the things of Christ and shows them to men, Joh 16:14; and thus opens their eyes, turning them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, Ac 26:18. And so God saves his people, not by works of righteousness which they have done, but according to his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, Tit 3:5. Thus they are saved, and called with a holy calling, not according to their works, but according to the divine purpose and grace which was given them in Christ Jesus before the world began, 2Ti 1:9.
2. To this it is replied, that this whole statement respecting a believer's calling is without any support from the Scriptures, and is either a misunderstanding, or a misapplication of their sense. "To call" signifies to invite to the blessings of the Gospel, to offer salvation through Christ, either by God himself, or, under his appointment, by his servants; and in the parable of the marriage of the king's son, Mt 22:1-14, which appears to have given rise, in many instances, to the use of this term in the Epistles, we have three descriptions of "called" or invited persons. First, the disobedient, who would not come in at the call, but made light of it. Second, the class of persons represented by the man who, when the king came in to see his guests, had not on the wedding garment; and with respect to whom our Lord makes the general remark. "For many are called, but few are chosen;" so that the persons thus represented by this individual culprit were not only "called," but actually came into the company. Third, the approved guests; those who were both called and chosen. As far as the simple calling or invitation is concerned, all these three classes stood upon equal ground
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And Jesus continued to speak to them in parables, and said, the kingdom of the Messiah is such, as when a certain king made a wedding-feast for his son. read more. he sent out his servants to call those that were invited to the wedding: but they would not come. then he sent out other servants, saying, tell those who are invited, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and every thing is ready: come to the entertainment. but instead of showing any regard, they went their ways, one to his farm, another to his traffick. others seiz'd his servants, outrageously abused them, and slew them. when the king was informed of this, he was greatly incensed, and having order'd his forces to march, he put those murderers to death, and laid their city in ashes. then he said to his servants, the feast is ready, but they who were invited were very unworthy. go therefore into the high streets, and as many as ye find, invite to the marriage: accordingly they went about the streets, and assembled all they met indifferently, both good and bad: so that the hall was furnished with guests. but upon the king's coming in to see the guests, he observ'd one there without a wedding garment: and he said to him, friend, how came you in hither, without a wedding garment? and he was speechless. then said the king to the servants, bind him hand and foot, take him away, and turn him out in the dark: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. thus many are called, but few are converted.
thus many are called, but few are converted.
but as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life. read more. for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life. for God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. he that believeth on him, shall not be condemned: but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the only begotten son of God. and this is the subject of their condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
no man can come to me, except the father who hath sent me, conduct him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
he shall glorify me: for he will commuincate to you, the information, which I shall give him.
for the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
so we took our places, and convers'd with the women, that came there. one of them was nam'd Lydia of Thyatira, a trader in purple, and a Jewish proselyte. she heard us: and the Lord inclin'd her heart to attend to what Paul said.
and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and partake of the inheritance of the saints, by believing on me."
by whose favour I have received the office of an apostle to bring the Gentiles every where to the obedience of faith preached in his name: among whom Jesus Christ has also called you:
We know too, that all things co-operate for the good of those who love God, who, pursuant to his purpose, has now called them:
but whom he predispos'd, he calls: and whom he has call'd, he justifies: and whom he has justified, he glorifies.
but whom he predispos'd, he calls: and whom he has call'd, he justifies: and whom he has justified, he glorifies.
to such as we, whom he has called, both from among the Jews, and from among the Gentiles.
both Jews and Gentiles, he is the Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
I have planted, Apollos watered: but God gave the increase. so then, neither is he that planted any thing, nor he that watered: it is God only that gives the increase.
does a Jew turn Christian? let him not pretend to be uncircumcised: does a Gentile turn Christian? let him not become circumcised.
from me, who called you by the grace of Christ; this can be
for, brethren, you have been called to liberty. only abuse not this freedom as a pretext to vice, but in offices of love be as servants one to another.
for by grace are ye saved, thro' faith (and that not from us:
I therefore the prisoner for the Lord, beseech you to live suitably to the offers that have been made to you:
Being one body, acted by one spirit, since you all have but one expectation in view;
for it is a favour bestowed upon you, that you not only believe on Christ, but suffer also for his sake,
conjuring you to live suitably to the favour of God, who has called you to his kingdom and glory.
conjuring you to live suitably to the favour of God, who has called you to his kingdom and glory.
As for you, my brethren, the favourites of the Lord, we are oblig'd to render perpetual thanks to God, for having chosen you from the beginning, in purifying you by his spirit, upon your believing the gospel. to this he has called you, to a life of glory with our Lord Jesus Christ.
who has saved us, and by the gospel hath called us to holiness, not in consideration of our works, but in pursuance of his own resolution, and the favour, which having been promised us by Jesus Christ several ages ago,
who has saved us, and by the gospel hath called us to holiness, not in consideration of our works, but in pursuance of his own resolution, and the favour, which having been promised us by Jesus Christ several ages ago, has now been display'd by the coming of Jesus Christ our saviour, who has defeated the power of death, by bringing a life of immortality to light thro' the gospel.
he saved us not in consideration of any virtuous actions which we had done, but out of his meer mercy, by the baptism of regeneration, he form'd us anew, by the plentiful effusion of the holy spirit,