Ordo Salutis: Effectual Call

Salvation belongs to the Lord!

Jonah 2:9

Evangelism is a weighty word that can evoke different reactions in people. For some, it ignites a passion to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with zeal and conviction. These embrace the Great Commission and strive to foster a culture of discipleship in their local church. However, there are also those who feel unease and insecurity when confronted with the idea of personal evangelism (showing and telling others about Jesus). If you find yourself in the latter group, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. In this article, we will delve into the Doctrine of the Effectual Call. This doctrine describes how the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit, calls the Elect to the Son when the Gospel is proclaimed.

The Divinely Constructed Church

“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Matthew 16:17-18

In Matthew 16, Jesus engages His disciples in a conversation about His identity. When Peter boldly declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus promptly affirms the divine origin of Peter’s confession. He states that it was not revealed to Peter by flesh and blood but by His Father in heaven. Furthermore, Jesus declares that He Himself will build His church, He will meticulously build the holy temple brick by brick until it is complete (Ephesians 2:21-22). The means by which the triune-God has determined to complete this building project is by the ordinary means of evangelism.When peering into the future construction of the Temple, the prophet Zechariah was told, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

The General Call and Human Responsibility

“… And how are they to hear without someone preaching? … So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Romans 10:14-17

The Call issued by preachers (which includes every believer!), often referred to as the General or Gospel Call, extends to all individuals without distinction. Luke 14:12-24 exemplifies this call through the Parable of the Great Banquet, emphasizing the invitation to diverse segments of society. However, the Parable also acknowledges that the General Call may be met with excuses and rejections. It highlights the inability of the human will to respond rightly. Romans 3:10-12 reminds us that none are righteous and that no one seeks God. This reinforces the need for active participation in evangelism, relying not only on moral example but also on the proclamation of the Gospel. There is an absolute necessity to proclaim the death and resurrection of our Lord.

The Effectual Call and Divine Sovereignty

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

John 10:27

While the General Call goes out to all, the Effectual Call is distinct. It is a divine and sovereign summons that results in the actual regeneration and conversion of the Elect who are scattered abroad (John 11:52). It is not merely an invitation but a powerful work of God’s grace that brings about a response in the hearts of those who are appointed to eternal life. In Isaiah’s comparison of God’s words to rain, he declares, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth,… so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11). This call is Effectual because it accomplishes the exact purpose for which it is intended. It is rooted in God’s foreknowledge and predestination, as Romans 8:29 states, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.“

The Intersection of Divine Sovereignty and Human Response

“Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.””

John 18:37

The Effectual Call showcases the compatibility of God’s sovereignty and human response. God, in His perfect wisdom, orchestrates the precise moment when His Elect, in response to His calling, would repent and believe. This is not a passive unfolding of events but an active involvement of God’s hand in shaping human history. As Proverbs 16:33 states, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” Acts 13:48 illustrates this intersection by stating that ‘as many as were appointed to eternal life believed’ when they heard the message. It is through the human proclamation of the Gospel that individuals hear and respond to God’s call, to which they respond, “Abba Father!”

Embracing the Effectual Call

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:12-13

The Effectual Call, being a Divine summons, holds an irresistible power that draws the Elect to salvation. It is a Call that cannot be thwarted or resisted by human will, Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John6:44). The existence of the Church, Christians, and Christianity hinges on the indispensable nature of the Effectual Call, which serves as the catalyst in drawing sinners towards God. This call breaks through the barriers of sin and darkness, illuminating minds, softening hearts, and compelling individuals to respond in faith and repentance. The Effectual Call is a testimony to the sovereign grace of God, whose love and mercy irresistibly draw His chosen ones into a life-changing relationship with Him. The prophet Ezekiel stated it this way, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). Embracing the Effectual Call requires a settled disposition of trust in God’s plan for evangelism. It is a testament to His sovereignty, authority, and active involvement in the affairs of humanity.

Conclusion

The distinction between the General Call and the Effectual Call is essential for grasping the significance of evangelism in the Christian life. While the General Call reaches out to all, the Effectual Call is a divine summons that brings about new life in the Elect. It showcases the full display of God’s sovereignty, underscoring both the incredible privilege and the urgent necessity for us to faithfully proclaim the Gospel. Above all, this Doctrine calls upon us to trust God in evangelism. As we invite our neighbours, colleagues, friends and family to come to the Great Banquet Feast, we can do so knowing that God will gather all of His children to Himself. There is no stopping the completion of Jesus’ holy Temple, the Church. As we wholeheartedly embrace the Effectual Call, may it ignite within us an unwavering zeal to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, fuelled by genuine love, unwavering compassion, and an unyielding commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission.

In conclusion, let us reflect on the profound lyrics of Charles Wesley’s famous hymn ‘And Can It Be That I Should Gain?‘ which vividly captures the essence of the Effectual Call.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.