Who Are The Called?
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In a discussion about who is a Christian minister recently, I asked a Professor in Theology,
"Are not all believers called?"
He agreed with me, that all believers are called.
Something happened in the resurrection day account in Matthew 28 that gives this a Biblical basis.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had experienced the “strange” happenings at the tomb of Jesus that resurrection morning, in fear; but an angel appeared to them and said,
“Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.”(vv.5-6)
The angel further told them to tell the disciples to go quickly to Galilee, and there they would see Jesus. After that, Jesus Himself appeared to the two women and told them,
“Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (vv. 10).
So the two women relayed the message to the disciples, who moved quickly to Galilee as instructed; to the mountain which Jesus had directed them. Then Jesus appeared, and said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NRSV)
Note that He first talked about His authority and power; and then commanded/commissioned them to go and “make disciples of ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that He had commanded them” (including how to make disciples!)
Every believer is a disciple of Jesus Christ, so every believer has this call — to go into the world and make disciples. This call is bigger than any other call! Discipleship is what propagates Jesus the Christ as the Son of God. Discipleship is what spreads the genetic code of the church in perpetuity! Discipleship is what carries the DNA of the church to the outermost parts of the world! Every believer is called to discipleship. It is not a preserve of the ‘evangelism’ or ‘missions’ or ‘counseling’ or ‘visitation’ team. We are all called!
In Peter’s first letter to the believers scattered around the then known world, he wrote:
“Now to you who believe…you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:7-9)
Priests are mediators; and we are all called into priesthood; to mediate between the world and God; to bring the world to God!
The question then is: if we are all called, why do we create the impression that it is only the clergy that are called?
Simple answer: that impression is a misconception. The clergy are called as much as the rest of the body of believers; but the clergy are given coordinating roles among the body of believers just as in any team activity. They are coordinators — or team leads — among body of disciples. They are not owners; I would not even call them custodians! They are simply servants, stewards, coordinators and shepherds; who answer to a Master (1 Peter 5:1-4). That is why the clergy needs the rest of the body of believers (what some call, the “laity”) to function.
This was made very clear in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians when he wrote:
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Note that while the call to discipleship is to “all nations”, the call to the coordinating roles is to “some”, who are themselves, disciples. And the duty of the coordinator is well spelt out: “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
These leaders have been selected to train, teach and equip the saints for the work of ministry, and to edify the body of Christ. They are disciples, given an additional role of making sure the rest of us disciple others the right way.
We are disciples, serving God’s purpose through our service, or ministry. We are all ministers/ propagators of the Gospel. The clergy are also disciples and ministers/propagators of the Gospel; but have been called to coordinating roles among the wide body of believers/saints/disciples.
The clergy needs the entire body of believers/saints/disciples to propagate God’s word and establish His kingdom. It is the reason Jesus called us all to make disciples of all nations!
If you have been thinking that the work of ministry is a preserve of the clergy, please revise your notes!
We have all been called!
MEMORY VERSE
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
QUESTIONS
Have you been thinking pastors are the only ministers of the Gospel?
Do you know that you are as called as a pastor, but the pastor just leads?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please help us to understand
our primary role in Your kingdom
as propagators of Your Gospel;
the good news of salvation.
URGENT CALL
By nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God. We ultimately face the wrath of God!
But God in His mercy and love gives us a chance to reverse this trend, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer”
for guidance if you want
to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page.
God richly bless you.
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
The Testimony Devotional website addresses are:
Evelyn
Amen 🙏 We are all called! May the good Lord help me to be among the chosen ones.
admin
Amen 🙏