Topical Bible: Call: Personal by Christ

◄ Call: Personal by Christ ►

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The concept of a personal call by Christ is a significant theme throughout the New Testament, reflecting the intimate and transformative nature of Jesus' invitation to individuals. This call is not merely a general proclamation but a specific and personal summons to follow Him, often resulting in a radical change in the life of the called.

Biblical Instances of Personal Call

1. The Call of the Disciples: One of the most direct examples of a personal call by Christ is found in the calling of His disciples. In Matthew 4:18-20 , Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew: "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' And at once they left their nets and followed Him." This passage highlights the immediacy and authority of Christ's call, as well as the willingness of the disciples to leave their former lives.

2. The Call of Matthew: Another poignant example is the call of Matthew, the tax collector. In Matthew 9:9 , it is recorded: "As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. 'Follow Me,' He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him." This call demonstrates Christ's reach to those considered outcasts or sinners, emphasizing His mission to seek and save the lost.

3. The Call of Zacchaeus: In Luke 19:5-6 , Jesus calls Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector: "When Jesus came to that place, He looked up and said, 'Zacchaeus, hurry down, for I must stay at your house today.' So Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Him joyfully." This encounter illustrates the personal nature of Christ's call, as He addresses Zacchaeus by name and initiates a relationship that leads to repentance and restitution.

Characteristics of Christ's Personal Call

· Authoritative: Christ's call carries divine authority, compelling those who hear it to respond. His words are not merely suggestions but commands that demand a decision.

· Transformative: The call of Christ is life-changing. Those who respond often experience a complete transformation in their identity and purpose, as seen in the lives of the disciples who left their occupations to follow Him.

· Inclusive: Jesus' call extends to all, regardless of social status, occupation, or past sins. His invitation is open to everyone, reflecting the inclusive nature of the Gospel.

· Purposeful: The call is not only to follow but to participate in Christ's mission. For instance, the disciples were called to become "fishers of men," indicating a new purpose aligned with the Kingdom of God.

Theological Implications

The personal call by Christ underscores the doctrine of election and divine initiative in salvation. It highlights the belief that God, through Christ, actively seeks individuals, drawing them into a relationship with Himself. This call is both a privilege and a responsibility, as it involves a commitment to discipleship and obedience to Christ's teachings.

Response to the Call

The appropriate response to Christ's call is immediate and wholehearted obedience. The examples of the disciples, Matthew, and Zacchaeus demonstrate a willingness to forsake all for the sake of following Jesus. This response is characterized by faith, repentance, and a reorientation of one's life towards the values and mission of the Kingdom of God.

In summary, the personal call by Christ is a profound and central aspect of the Christian faith, illustrating the personal nature of God's invitation to humanity and the transformative power of responding to that call.

Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 55:5
Behold, you shall call a nation that you know not, and nations that knew not you shall run to you because of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he has glorified you.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... what a mistake to take our belief in God and call of faith . . . ... Heb 11:6). But
a personal encounter with Christ (a true connection with Him and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

The Pharisees' Sabbath and Christ's
... the transgressors of the sabbatic tradition; in the second, Christ's own action ... the
one, Sabbath observance is set aside at the call of personal needs; in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the pharisees sabbath and christs.htm

The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic ...
... Gospel lies in this: that whereas Jesus Christ freely invited ... dared not, could not,
have hoped for personal recognition - far less for call to discipleship ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii the call of.htm

Wisdom and Christ
... THE PROVERBS WISDOM AND CHRIST. 'Then I was ... and is satisfied. III. The
call of the personal Word to each of us. The Wisdom of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/wisdom and christ.htm

The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the ...
... made whole - and such faith must ever be of personal dealing with ... thus formulate
our views: In the Days of Christ men learned ... [3008] We cannot call the trivial ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxvi the healing of.htm

Christ's Remonstrances
... been 'obedient to the heavenly vision.' Stages, I call them, though ... the crowd or
hide yourselves from the personal incidence of Christ's offer, but ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/christs remonstrances.htm

Ambassadors for Christ
... A personal call and a personal yielding make ... The choice of the Twelve marks an epoch
in the development of Christ's work, and was occasioned, at this point ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/ambassadors for christ.htm

Christ's Witnesses
... Him, and after all, the witness of personal experience of ... The new life which Jesus
Christ brings and gives ... growth than are what the children call 'devil's puff ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/christs witnesses.htm

The Christian Service
... How shall men serve the Christ in the heart, home, community ... be said of the urgency
of the call to service ... What can be said of personal work, training others for ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study viii the christian service.htm

Personal Characteristics.
... the masters of literature who came at his call. ... says: "During the time of our personal
acquaintance with ... to read Thomas ?� Kempis Imitation of Christ at family ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/vi personal characteristics.htm

Hallowing Christ
... that from the beginning He whom we call, according to ... down in the very midst of your
personal being, as it ... awe and absolute trust in Jesus Christ"an habitual ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/hallowing christ.htm