THE OUTWARD AND THE INWARD CALLS. Part 2. THE INWARD CALL.

[Alan Gross]

II. THE INWARD CALL

The following Scriptures refer to the inward call: Acts 2:39; Rom. 1:6; 8.28,30; 9:11,24; 1 Cor. 1:1,26; 7:15; Gal. 1:15; 5:8; Eph. 4:4; Col. 3:15; 1 Thess. 5:24; 2 Thess. 2:14; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 9:15; 1 Pet. 1.15; 2:9; 3:9; 5:10; 2 Pet. 1:3,10; Jude 1.

Some of these Scriptures, as has been indicated already, seem to allude to both the inward and outward call.

1. THIS CALL IS A DIRECT CALL THROUGH THE SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit takes the preached gospel and opening the heart of the sinner (Acts 16:14), applies the word to the heart in regenerating power. It is then, and only then, that man is able to understand and receive the things of the Spirit of God.

Thus the inward call is also through the gospel, but it is through the gospel as applied by the Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures touching on this work of the Spirit through the word will be given when we study regeneration.

2. THIS CALL IS PARTICULAR

By means of it the chosen objects of God's saving grace are singled out.

The difference here between the outward and the inward calls may be imperfectly illustrated by the difference between a general invitation extended by a church to the people of a community to attend its services and the personal invitations that are extended to particular individuals by the membership of the church.

Of course, as we have said, this only imperfectly illustrates the difference between God's two calls. Rom. 8:30 shows the particularity of this call.

3. THIS CALL IS ALWAYS EFFECTIVE

It is manifest that the Scriptures given at the beginning of the discussion of this call refer to an effective and efficient call.

This call is never resisted; yet, in responding to it, man acts voluntarily and freely.

See chapter on "The Free Agency of Man."

 

[Barry Johnson]

II. THE INWARD CALL

The following Scriptures refer to the inward call: Acts 2:39; Rom. 1:6; 8.28,30; 9:11,24; 1 Cor. 1:1,26; 7:15; Gal. 1:15; 5:8; Eph. 4:4; Col. 3:15; 1 Thess. 5:24; 2 Thess. 2:14; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 9:15; 1 Pet. 1.15; 2:9; 3:9; 5:10; 2 Pet. 1:3,10; Jude 1.

Some of these Scriptures, as has been indicated already, seem to allude to both the inward and outward call.

1. THIS CALL IS A DIRECT CALL THROUGH THE SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit takes the preached gospel and opening the heart of the sinner (Acts 16:14), applies the word to the heart in regenerating power. It is then, and only then, that man is able to understand and receive the things of the Spirit of God.

Thus the inward call is also through the gospel, but it is through the gospel as applied by the Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures touching on this work of the Spirit through the word will be given when we study regeneration.

2. THIS CALL IS PARTICULAR

By means of it the chosen objects of God's saving grace are singled out.

The difference here between the outward and the inward calls may be imperfectly illustrated by the difference between a general invitation extended by a church to the people of a community to attend its services and the personal invitations that are extended to particular individuals by the membership of the church.

Of course, as we have said, this only imperfectly illustrates the difference between God's two calls. Rom. 8:30 shows the particularity of this call.

3. THIS CALL IS ALWAYS EFFECTIVE

It is manifest that the Scriptures given at the beginning of the discussion of this call refer to an effective and efficient call.

This call is never resisted; yet, in responding to it, man acts voluntarily and freely.

See chapter on "The Free Agency of Man."

There are 2 callings: Gospel and vocational, not inward or outward or effectual or ineffectual, etc… (2 Thess. 2:14; Eph. 4:1; Rom. 8:28; 2 Cor. 5:20)

 

[Dave G]

Some of these Scriptures, as has been indicated already, seem to allude to both the inward and outward call.

I would say that they not only allude to it, but declare it.
Here I see the promise of salvation limited to these:


" For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call." ( Acts of the Apostles 2:39 ).

" among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:" ( Romans 1:6 ).

" (for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth; )" ( Romans 9:11 ).

" and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?" ( Romans 9:24 ).

" who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," ( 2 Timothy 1:9 ).


In 2 Timothy 1:9 especially, I see not only an "effectual calling", but the clear establishment that this saving and calling was not according to our works, but was strictly according to His own purpose and grace which was given to believers "in Christ" before the world began ( see Ephesians 1:4 ).


God's purpose according to election.

 

[Dave G]

@Alan Gross :

If it were outward-only, it would mean that God has to rely on what men do with an outward "offer" ( to accept or reject it ) in order to grant us His favor and perhaps an inward calling.
In other words, His decision to save someone would be determined by what they actually do, plus what He did,
and His decision to make someone a preacher, teacher or evangelist would rely on their first "opening the door" and letting Him in, "making Jesus the Lord of their life".

But it isn't.
It's not of works, lest any man should boast.

The calling is both inward and outward, with them that are perishing thinking that the preaching of the cross ( the outward call ) is foolishness and us that are saved believing it to be the power of God ( the inward call ).

See Romans 1:16 where the Gospel is the power of God to only them that believe it,
and 1 Corinthians 1:18.

 

[Barry Johnson]

@Alan Gross :

If it were outward-only, it would mean that God has to rely on what men do with an outward "offer" ( to accept or reject it ) in order to grant us His favor and perhaps an inward calling.
In other words, His decision to save someone would be determined by what they actually do, plus what He did,
and His decision to make someone a preacher, teacher or evangelist would rely on their first "opening the door" and letting Him in, "making Jesus the Lord of their life".

But it isn't.
It's not of works, lest any man should boast.

The calling is both inward and outward, with them that are perishing thinking that the preaching of the cross ( the outward call ) is foolishness and us that are saved believing it to be the power of God ( the inward call ).

See Romans 1:16 where the Gospel is the power of God to only them that believe it,
and 1 Corinthians 1:18.

II. THE INWARD CALL

The following Scriptures refer to the inward call: Acts 2:39; Rom. 1:6; 8.28,30; 9:11,24; 1 Cor. 1:1,26; 7:15; Gal. 1:15; 5:8; Eph. 4:4; Col. 3:15; 1 Thess. 5:24; 2 Thess. 2:14; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 9:15; 1 Pet. 1.15; 2:9; 3:9; 5:10; 2 Pet. 1:3,10; Jude 1.

Some of these Scriptures, as has been indicated already, seem to allude to both the inward and outward call.

1. THIS CALL IS A DIRECT CALL THROUGH THE SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit takes the preached gospel and opening the heart of the sinner (Acts 16:14), applies the word to the heart in regenerating power. It is then, and only then, that man is able to understand and receive the things of the Spirit of God.

Thus the inward call is also through the gospel, but it is through the gospel as applied by the Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures touching on this work of the Spirit through the word will be given when we study regeneration.

2. THIS CALL IS PARTICULAR

By means of it the chosen objects of God's saving grace are singled out.

The difference here between the outward and the inward calls may be imperfectly illustrated by the difference between a general invitation extended by a church to the people of a community to attend its services and the personal invitations that are extended to particular individuals by the membership of the church.

Of course, as we have said, this only imperfectly illustrates the difference between God's two calls. Rom. 8:30 shows the particularity of this call.

3. THIS CALL IS ALWAYS EFFECTIVE

It is manifest that the Scriptures given at the beginning of the discussion of this call refer to an effective and efficient call.

This call is never resisted; yet, in responding to it, man acts voluntarily and freely.

See chapter on "The Free Agency of Man."

Which verses say the Holy Spirit does the things you say please ?

 

[JD731]

1 Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (after the Jews refused to receive Jesus Christ)

Here we have again the purpose of God mentioned as it was in Rom 11 and Eph 1. His purpose is to fashion a body and a bride for Christ in this age, beginning with the Jewish remnant of believers in Christ and then with gentiles who would believe. In Eph 1 we are told God counselled with himself to accomplish this. This would be a new thing and to those who have read their bibles, they would know that everything associated with this building God is doing is "New."

A new creature in Christ
Collectively, a new man
Predestined to have a new glorified body individually
Predestined to have a new glorified body collectively
To have a new name
To live in the heavenly city, New Jerusalem
When God creates the new heaven and the new
earth
Typically, Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Sunday, the day after the sabbath, which is the eighth day, the beginning of the new week
He gave us the gift of his Spirit, which is salvation, under the new covenant.

This purpose of God of forming this new man as a temple of God not made with hands was intended in his perfect will to be Jewish but because of their unbelief the gentiles were made partakers.

You folks may not know this but "Israel" is pictured in the OT and the NT as being the wife of Jehovah. She is an adulterous wife and he has divorced her. They produced a son, Jesus Christ. He is called in the scriptures "the last Adam" and also, the "second man." The first Adam failed but the last Adam will have to battle a great adversary, the devil. God creates a help meet from his sleeping side and presents her to him as his wife. That is what the Holy Spirit is doing in this age. The water that flowed from his side when the Roman pierced it represents the Holy Spirit. The blood represents the physical life. The Spirit is God. He is Life.

God is going to purify his wife and restore the relationship. The book of Hosea gives this typology. Here we have it in the NT.

Re 12:And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The devil and his angels were cast out of the "second heaven." That is where they are operating from now.

When one is dealing with the "calling" of God he must understand his purpose for this age. What I quoted above will not fit in this purpose. The israelites that God is giving Jesus in John 6 is for this purpose. Saved people are called to be saints. That is, they are called to live their lives in accordance to their position as "sons of God." Read this;

1 Cor 1:1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:

Saved people are called to be saints. or sanctified. Read the context of the chapter.

As usual, the Reformed are totally confused about the calling of God. All these chapters, Rom 11, Eph 1, and 2 Tim 1 reveals the purpose of God in his calling, as well as the order of his calling.

I hope this info is a help to somebody.