The Riddleblog

The Gospel, Calling, and a Light to the Nations

From Episode Four of Season Five of the Blessed Hope Podcast series on the Book of Romans

Paul’s doctrine of calling Gentiles—those apart from membership in Israel—to trust in Israel’s Messiah grows out of the messianic expectations of the Old Testament. In Isaiah 49:1–7, the prophet speaks of a future time in which the gospel will go out to the ends of the earth and bring great blessings to the nations.

Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. . . . I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.

According to Isaiah, the coming of the Messiah is connected to those Gentile nations that formerly oppressed God’s people and are now being called to join Israel as worshipers of YHWH. Jesus Christ, who is the true servant of YHWH spoken of by Isaiah, is the light to the Gentiles (cf. Isaiah 42:6; 52:10; 60:3), a theme fulfilled in the messianic mission of Jesus when he declares, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). Jesus will call his chosen ones to faith. His messianic kingdom will crush empires and convert princes. Therefore, when Paul reminds the church in Rome that the sovereign God has called them to faith in Israel’s Messiah through the gospel, Paul is bearing witness to the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Let us not miss the irony here—the capital of the world’s greatest pagan empire is now home to a Christian church full of former pagans from distant lands who worship Israel’s God. Isaiah’s prophecy is being fulfilled—the church in Rome is proof.

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Pauline Studies, Blessed Hope Podcast, The Book of RomansKim RiddlebargerJuly 13, 2026Romans 1:6-15, Calling, Isaiah 49:1-7Comment

“The Serious Call of the Gospel” -- Article Eight, The Third and Fourth Main Points of Doctrine, Canons of Dort

Article 8: The Serious Call of the Gospel

Nevertheless, all who are called through the gospel are called seriously. For seriously and most genuinely God makes known in his Word what is pleasing to him: that those who are called should come to him. Seriously he also promises rest for their souls and eternal life to all who come to him and believe.

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The doctrine of calling occupies a major place in Scripture. To put it simply, when the gospel is proclaimed God’s elect are called to faith. The Canons have described this call as the “ministry of reconciliation,” based upon Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21. As a result of being called, the elect embrace Jesus Christ through faith, trust in him and in him alone, for their salvation.

Throughout the Scriptures, calling is directly connected to regeneration. “Calling” precedes the exercise of faith. In other words, no one can come to faith in Christ, unless they are first “called,”" as in John 6:65 when Jesus says, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

There are a number of important considerations here. The first thing that we need to consider is that the Reformed make a distinction between the so-called “general call” which goes out without exception to all men and women (elect and non-elect alike) whenever the gospel is preached, and the “effectual call” which is made to God’s elect only.

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The Canons of DortKim RiddlebargerFebruary 3, 2025Calling, Effectual calling, The general callComment