Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CALL, CALLING

The verb (Heb. qāraʾ; Gk. kaléō) used to describe “naming” (Gen. 3:20; Luke 1:60) or to refer to the act of prayer, where persons “call to” or “call on” God (Ps. 145:18; Rom. 10:13). In addition, the idea of a “call” or “calling” in the sense of a (divine) commission or vocation is also present in both the OT and NT.

In the OT call narratives occur frequently with prophets (Isa. 6:1-13; Jer. 1:1-10; Ezek. 1:1-28) as well as others (e.g., Moses; Exod. 3:1–4:17). Interestingly, a consistent feature of OT call narratives is the reluctance of the person called (e.g., Moses, Exod. 4:10-13; Gideon, Judg. 6:15). Calls can also be extended to the entire community: Israel is to be a kingdom of priests (Exod. 19:6); the larger Israelite community in exile receives a commission to be God’s servant (Isa. 49:3-6).

In the NT individuals and the larger community receive calls. In the Gospels call narratives occur with the disciples (e.g., Mark 1:16-20; 2:13-14). A consistent feature of the NT call narratives is that successful “calls” have two elements: first, Jesus takes the initiative; second, there is unqualified and immediate acceptance. The Gospels record a set of unsuccessful call stories, where in each case one or both of the above criteria are not fulfilled (Luke 9:57-62). In the Epistles to be a member of the Christian community is to have received a divine calling (Eph. 1:18; Phil. 3:14).

Gregory Mobley

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CALL, CALLING

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)