Topical Bible: Call: To Special Religious Duty,

◄ Call: To Special Religious Duty, ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the concept of a "call" to special religious duty is a significant theme that underscores God's sovereign choice and purpose for individuals in His divine plan. This call often involves a summons to serve God in a specific capacity, whether as a prophet, priest, apostle, or other roles within the community of faith. The call to special religious duty is characterized by divine initiative, personal transformation, and a commitment to God's mission.

Old Testament Examples

1. Moses: One of the most prominent examples of a divine call is that of Moses. In Exodus 3:4, God calls Moses from the burning bush, saying, "Moses, Moses!" Moses responds, "Here I am." This encounter marks the beginning of Moses' mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. His call is further affirmed in Exodus 3:10, where God commands, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt."

2. Samuel: The call of Samuel is another significant instance. As a young boy serving in the temple under Eli, Samuel hears God's voice calling him. In 1 Samuel 3:10, the Lord calls, "Samuel! Samuel!" and Samuel replies, "Speak, for Your servant is listening." This call sets Samuel apart as a prophet and judge over Israel.

3. Isaiah: The prophet Isaiah's call is vividly described in Isaiah 6:8, where he hears the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?" Isaiah responds, "Here am I. Send me!" This marks the beginning of his prophetic ministry to Judah and Jerusalem.

New Testament Examples

1. The Apostles: In the New Testament, Jesus calls His disciples to follow Him, marking the beginning of their apostolic ministry. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus says to Peter and Andrew, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." This call involves leaving their former lives and dedicating themselves to the proclamation of the Gospel.

2. Paul: The Apostle Paul's call is a dramatic example of transformation and divine appointment. In Acts 9:15, the Lord speaks to Ananias about Paul, saying, "Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." Paul's call is further elaborated in Galatians 1:15-16, where he writes, "But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles..."

Characteristics of the Call

1. Divine Initiative: The call to special religious duty originates from God. It is not based on human merit or desire but on God's sovereign will and purpose. This is evident in the calls of Moses, Samuel, and Paul, where God takes the initiative to summon them to His service.

2. Personal Transformation: Those who are called often undergo a significant transformation. For example, Paul's encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus leads to a radical change in his life and mission (Acts 9:3-6).

3. Commitment to Mission: The call involves a commitment to God's mission, often requiring sacrifice and perseverance. The apostles left their livelihoods to follow Jesus, and Paul endured numerous hardships for the sake of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

4. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: Those called to special religious duty are often empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill their mission. In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

The call to special religious duty is a profound aspect of biblical theology, illustrating God's active role in guiding and equipping individuals for His purposes throughout history.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 105:26
He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.
Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 28:1
And take you to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
Nave's Topical Index

Hebrews 5:4
And no man takes this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Confessing Christ an Indispensable Duty.
... for knowing Christ, and many special evidences of ... But those who while they call
themselves Christ's ... sincerely, no matter what his religious principles, (say ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xix confessing christ an.htm

The Sixth Season
... by vain thoughts, humble yourself before God, and call in assistance ... It will be of
special use to keep your ... Your religious seasons are your seed times, and in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/vi the sixth season.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... Even as the other religious observances are not obligatory ... an explicit engagement
to perform the special duties of ... them as had in providence a call to become a ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

The City of Benares.
... Ganges"a class of Brahmans, whose duty it is ... I can, some additional facts which call
for special ... dominion by conferring on them special religious advantages. ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter vii the city of.htm

Call to China and Voyage Hence
... my mind has been more or less under religious impressions from ... Mr. Talmage had to
choose between the call of duty ... By a special Providence it was not much more ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/ii call to china and.htm

Who is on the Lord's Side? Exodus 32:26.
... four times as much of what they call religion, to ... They love to read a religious paper,
and when they ... They come reluctantly into all the special movements of ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/who is on the lords 2.htm

Christ, the Great Teacher
... Shall he make light of it and call it a necessary ... The special mission of Jesus Christ
was to place man in ... 17-20), the moral law (vs.21-48), religious duty (6:1 ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study i christ the great.htm

The True Nonconformist.
... And I can, therefore, only call your attention to one or ... As you enter upon a season
of special religious activity, you ... That our duty in such matters, is not to ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/the true nonconformist.htm

The Yoke of Christ.
... who above the rest may be taken to remind us of the duty of mortification, it ... If
you call to mind some of the traits of that special religious character to ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon viii the yoke of.htm

Introduction
... adapted to what I still like to call Sunday reading ... The only other work which deserves
any special mention as a ... does not in any way lessen their religious value ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/introduction.htm