Call

Call [EBD]

(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).

Call [NAVE]

CALL,
Personal
By Christ, Isa. 55:5; Rom. 1:6; by his Spirit, Rev. 22:17; by his works, Psa. 19:2, 3; Rom. 1:20; by his ministers, Jer. 35:15; 2 Cor. 5:20; by his gospel, 2 Thess. 2:14.
Is from darkness to light, 1 Pet. 2:9.
Addressed to all, Isa. 45:22; Matt. 20:16.
Most reject, Prov. 1:24; Matt. 20:16.
Effectual to saints, Psa. 110:3; Acts 13:48; 1 Cor. 1:24.
Not to many wise, 1 Cor. 1:26.
To saints, is of grace, Gal. 1:6; 2 Tim. 1:9; according to the purpose of God, Rom. 8:28; 9:11, 23, 24, without repentance, Rom. 11:29; high, Phil. 3:14; holy, 2 Tim. 1:9; heavenly, Heb. 3:1; to fellowship with Christ, 1 Cor. 1:9; to holiness, 1 Thess. 4:7; to a prize, Phil. 3:14; to liberty, Gal. 5:13; to peace, 1 Cor. 7:15; Col. 3:15; to glory and virtue, 2 Pet. 1:3; to the eternal glory of Christ, 2 Thess. 2:14; 1 Pet. 5:10; to eternal life, 1 Tim. 6:12.
Partakers of, justified, Rom. 8:30; walk worthy of, Eph. 4:1; 2 Thess. 1:11; blessedness of receiving, Rev. 19:9; is to be made sure, 2 Pet. 1:10; praise God for, 1 Pet. 2:9; illustrated, Prov. 8:3, 4; Matt. 23:3-9.
Rejection of, leads to judicial blindness, Isa. 6:9, with Acts 28:24-27; Rom. 11:8-10; delusion, Isa. 66:4; 2 Thess. 2:10, 11; withdrawal of the means of grace, Jer. 26:4-6; Acts 13:46; 18:6; Rev. 2:5; temporal judgments, Isa. 28:12; Jer. 6:16, 19; 35:17; Zech. 7:12-14; rejection by God, Prov. 1:24-32; Jer. 6:19, 30; condemnation, John 12:48; Heb. 2:1-3; 12:25; destruction, Prov. 29:1; Matt. 22:3-7. - Bible Text-Book.
To Special Religious Duty
Of Abraham, Gen. 12:1-3; Isa. 51:2; Heb. 11:8
Moses:
Ex. 3:2, 4, 10; Ex. 4:1-16; Psa. 105:26; Acts 7:34, 35
Aaron and His Sons:
Ex. 4:14-16, see above, and Psa. 105:26.
Ex. 28:1; Heb. 5:4
Joshua:
Num. 27:18, 19, 22, 23; Deut. 31:14, 23; Josh. 1:1-9
Gideon:
Judg. 6:11-16
Samuel:
1 Sam. 3:4-10
Solomon:
1 Chr. 28:6, 10
Jehu:
2 Kin. 9:6, 7; 2 Chr. 22:7
Cyrus:
Isa. 45:1-4
Amos:
Amos 7:14, 15
Apostles:
Matt. 4:18-20 [Mark 1:16, 17.] Matt. 4:21, 22 Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:13-15. Mark 2:14 Matt. 9:9; Luke 5:27. John 15:16
The Rich Young Man:
Mark 10:21, 22
Paul:
Acts 9:4-6, 15, 16; Acts 13:2, 3; Rom. 1:1 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1.
All Who Are Called of God:
Rom. 8:30; 1 Cor. 1:2, 9, 24; 1 Thess. 2:11, 12; 2 Thess. 2:13, 14; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 3:1, 2, 7, 8; 1 Pet. 5:10; 2 Pet. 1:3, 10; Jude 1; Rev. 17:14 See: Minister, Call of; Backsliders; Seekers.