A call means an announcement or an invitation. The call here
signified an announcement of God's purpose of electing the members of
the church and an invitation to those of the right heart condition to
accept that invitation. Many were called, but only a few responded to
that call and were chosen. (Matthew 22:14) For three and a half years
this call was confined to the Jews, at the end of which time Cornelius,
the first gentile, was granted the gospel. He heard, believed on the
Lord and fully consecrated himself to do God's will, and was accepted.
(Acts 10) From that time forward the call has been general to any one
who might desire to respond to the terms and follow in the Master's
footsteps.
[475]For this purpose the gospel has been preached, that men might know
of the plan of God and understand that he is selecting the church. Men
of worldly wisdom have given no heed to the gospel. To them it has been
foolishness. And so St. Paul wrote: "For after that in the wisdom of God
the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of
preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and
the Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, unto the
Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them
which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the
wisdom of God.
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