While God's external and internal calls have the same source - the Triune God; the same Applier - God the Holy Spirit; and the same instrument - the holy gospel; yet there are clear and significant differences which make these two callings distinct. God's internal call is not simply an extension of His external call, but it is a distinct calling.
Study the following chart carefully; it presents important distinctions between God's external and internal calls.
| DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GOD'S EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL CALLS | ||
| CALL | EXTERNAL CALL | INTERNAL CALL |
| Its recipients |
All who hear the proclamation of the gospel |
All who receive the saving application of the gospel |
| The Church Visible | The Church Invisible | |
| Its gracious source |
Common grace |
Saving grace |
| Its power of working |
Resistible |
Irresistible |
| Its benefits | ||
| Common convictions | Saving convictions | |
| Invitation to salvation | Application of salvation | |
| Restraining of sin and resulting temporal blessings | Forgiveness of sin and resulting eternal blessings | |
| God draws near to the sinner | God dwells within the sinner | |
| The mind and the emotions of the hearer can be touched, producing a change in behavior | The mind, emotions, and heart of the person are renewed producing a change of states (from spiritual death to life) | |
| Warns sinners to repent, believe, and obey | Works true repentance, faith, and obedience | |
| Can produce historical and temporary faith | Produces true saving faith | |
Denying the necessity of the Holy Spirit's internal calling results in an Arminian, free-will gospel. Denying the value and responsibility attached to the Holy Spirit's external calling leads to fatalism. Both deny truths of Scripture. The one makes man the cause of his salvation; the other makes God the cause of man's damnation, apart from justice. God's Word requires a clear and balanced presentation of both the Holy Spirit's external and internal calls.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
- 1 Corinthians 3:7
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18
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.
- 1 Corinthians 1:23-24
But the natural man receiveth the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
- 1 Corinthians 2:14
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How can God's external and internal calls be related to God's Covenant of Grace - in both its outward and inward relationship; and to God's church - both visible and invisible? |
