God's Call into the Ministry - Bible Witness Media Ministry

Call into the MinistryGod's Call intothe MinistryP r a b h u d a s K o s h yGod calls all His elect unto salvation, so wecan say that every Christian is called of God.This we read in Romans 8:30 - "Moreoverwhom he did predestinate, them he alsocalled: and whom he called, them he alsojustified: and whom he justified, them healso glorified." This call of God comes toGod's elect through the preaching of theGospel and as the Holy Spirit works in theirheart to convict and convert - "Whereuntohe called you by our gospel, to the obtainingof the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2Thessalonians2:14; cf. 1Thessalonians1:5).Besides, everyChristian hasa calling fromthe Lord toserve Him (cf.1 Corinthians 7:22; Romans 6:18; 12:11).For this purpose, the Lord has equippedevery Christian with at least one spiritualgift (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Romans12:6-8). Hence, all Christians are urged to be"always abounding in the work of the Lord,forasmuch as ye know that your labouris not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians15:58b).Though all Christians are called to servethe Lord, some Christians are speciallycalled by Him to serve as pastors, teachers,missionaries or other full-time workers ofthe church. This calling into the full-timeministry is also referred to by some as God'scall unto vocational ministry.The Scriptures teach us through the life andministry of God's servants that an absoluteconviction of a divine call into the ministryis a necessity for those who serve Him invarious ministries of the church. To help usunderstand God's call into the ministry, theSpirit of God scrupulously recorded in theScriptures theThough all Christians are called toserve the Lord, some Christians arespecially called by Him to serve aspastors, teachers, missionaries orother full-time workers of the church.Apostle Paul'sdeep convictionof his divinecalling to bean apostle andpreacher of theGospel.Paul wrote:"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to bean apostle, separated unto the gospel ofGod" (Romans 1:1). The words "called tobe an apostle" are very significant becausethey affirm Paul's apostleship as divinelyordained. He did not take it up himself buthe was called and appointed by God to thatoffice.In his epistles, Paul asserted his calling invarious ways. He insisted unashamedlythat it is "by the will of God" or "by thecommandment of God" that he is anBible Witness 3

Call into the Ministryapostle of Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:1;Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; I Timothy 1:1; 2Timothy 1:1). There was not a tinge of doubtin his heart that his ministry as an apostle ofthe church was commissioned by the Lord.So he wrote in Galatians 1:1 - "Paul,an apostle, (not of men, neither byman, but by Jesus Christ, and Godthe Father, who raised him from thedead)."Even the designations that heused for himself in his customaryintroductions are a further proof ofhis deep sense of the divine call he receivedto serve God full-time. Consider thesedesignations: "Apostle of Jesus Christ" (1Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians1:1; Colossians 1:1; I Timothy 1:1; 2 Timothy1:1; Titus 1:1); "Minister of Jesus Christ"(Romans 15:16); "Servant of Jesus Christ"(Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1). Truly, Paulsaw himself as a man appointed by Christto do His work. He understood that hiscommitment was first of all to Christ, andalways acted in obedience to the One whocalled him into the ministry.that utterance may be given unto me, thatI may open my mouth boldly, to makeknown the mystery of the gospel, For whichI am an ambassador in bonds: that therein Imay speak boldly, as I ought to speak."Only a man with an unshakenpersuasion that God has called andcommissioned him for the task can besuccessful in the ministry.From Paul, we must learn that the work ofthe ministry is too difficult and demandingfor any man to enter it without a deep senseof a divine calling and appointment. Onlya man with an unshaken persuasion thatGod has called and commissioned him forthe task can be successful in the ministry.Such an understanding of God's call into theministry rejects any notion of a self-assumedoffice in the work of the church. It alsoprohibits Christians from appointing thosewho are not called by God into the ministryof the church.An abiding conviction about his call to theministry filled Paul's heart, and it is seen inall his epistles. Paul's preaching was alwayscharacterized by a fresh awareness of thedivine call he received.Such unswerving conviction about hiscall fashioned him to be a single-minded,devoted, enthusiastic minister of theGospel. In all circumstances, whetherconvivial or hostile, preaching the Gospelwas Paul's singular passion. Even whenhe was bound in chains, he looked foropportunities to preach the Word. So, inEphesians 6:19-20, he wrote, "And for me,Let us also take note that it is those whoare unsure of a definite call from Godthat leave theministry, whereasthose who arefully persuadedwill remainresponsible andeffective even inthe midst of manyadversities.Has God calledyou into theministry?4 Bible Witness