Bible Dictionary
Call
To call may mean to cry for help, pray, summon, appoint, or invite. God calls people to offices and service, and the gospel calls all people to receive His grace; the inward, effectual call draws sinners to Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Definition
To call may mean to cry for help, pray, summon, appoint, or invite. In Scripture, God calls people to particular offices and calls people to accept His offered grace. The gospel call is addressed to Jews and Gentiles, while the effectual call is an inward work that draws people to Christ and enables them to receive the truth.
Biblical Usage
People call upon the Lord’s name in prayer and for help. God calls individuals to special service and invites sinners through the gospel. The outward call leaves those who reject it without excuse; the effectual call involves the enlightening and sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit, who draws people to Christ.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) To cry for help, hence to pray (Gen. 4:26). Thus men are said to “call upon the name of the Lord” (Acts 2:21; 7:59; 9:14; Rom. 10:12; 1 Cor. 1:2). (2.) God calls with respect to men when he designates them to some special office (Ex. 31:2; Isa. 22:20; Acts 13:2), and when he invites them to accept his offered grace (Matt. 9:13; 11:28; 22:4). In the message of the gospel his call is addressed to all men, to Jews and Gentiles alike (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Rom. 9:24, 25). But this universal call is not inseparably connected with salvation, although it leaves all to whom it comes inexcusable if they reject it (John 3:14-19; Matt. 22:14). An effectual call is something more than the outward message of the Word of God to men. It is internal, and is the result of the enlightening and sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit (John 16:14; Acts 26: 18; John 6:44), effectually drawing men to Christ, and disposing and enabling them to receive the truth (John 6:45; Acts 16:14; Eph. 1:17).