We live in an unprecedented time. Pulpits throughout the land are empty. (Currently, more than a dozen pulpits are open in the RPCNA.) Opportunities to church plant remain dormant. Mission fields have few willing to go. In the West, people abandon the church to look for hope and salvation in false gods and human ideologies as they cry out for political leaders to save them. In other parts of the world, scores of people hunger for the truths of God. So, whether it is calling Western nations back to Christ or taking the gospel to lands where Christ has not been known, one thing is certain: We need preachers!

The Call for Preaching

“Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says…” (Rom. 10:5–6). The Apostle Paul, at the beginning of this section, reminds us of the key theme of the book of Romans. Where does the righteousness to stand before a holy God come from? There are two types of righteousness that men can pursue: the righteousness that comes from God by faith, or man’s righteousness based on works.

Prior to this, Paul has taken a wrecking ball to the latter by showing that men are incapable of doing anything good in their power. Attempts to keep the law can only condemn and never justify. Only Christ’s obedient life and atoning sacrifice are sufficient to fulfill all righteousness for us.

Yet Paul has a final concern about men seeking self-righteousness. In verses 6–7, he says: “But the righteousness based on faith says, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?”’ (that is, to bring Christ down) ‘or “Who will descend into the abyss?”’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)” (Rom. 10:6–7).

What is Paul addressing here? To understand what Paul is saying in Romans, we need to understand Moses’ original words to Israel in Deuteronomy:“This commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it” (Deut. 30:11–14).

James Montgomery Boice points out that Moses was addressing Israel’s mistaken concerns that, first, they needed an additional word from God, and, second, they needed to do something to bring the Messiah to them.

In the same way, the church today thinks it needs something more—a fresher word or a more significant experience. To this, Paul says, “No!” We do not need to go far and wide looking for righteousness—it is nearer than we think! God has given us His Word, and in it people find the righteousness only Christ can provide.

The Call of Preaching

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Rom. 10:9–10). Here we see that the basic Christian profession of faith is that Jesus is Lord. What does it mean that Jesus is Lord? Does it simply mean Jesus is God? Saying that Jesus is God has to do with His being. But to confess that Jesus is Lord is to testify to the position He has been given and to the obedience and tribute owed to Him.

Preachers are called to tell the world Jesus is the victor over sin and death, and all authority has been given to Him so that He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Whoever believes this message will be saved. We have the most wonderful news in all the world to give. We are to preach the good news!

No matter who you are or what you have done, if you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe He was raised to cleanse you and make you holy, you will be saved. And that, again, is why we need preachers.

The Call to Preaching

Paul goes on to ask a series of four rhetorical questions in verses 14 and 15, each one driving to the truth of the next: “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” (Rom. 10:14–15).

In translating Paul’s second question, the English Standard Version adds the word of, which is not in the Greek. Translated more literally, Paul is asking, “How are they to believe in him whom they have never heard?” If people are to believe in God’s Word, they must not just hear about Christ. They must hear Christ.

People hear Christ’s voice through those proclaiming His Word. One of the Greek words for preaching in the New Testament was used to describe those in ancient days heralding an official proclamation or delivering a message of victory from the king. It is a word that comes with authority, which must be obeyed. Similarly, to preach God’s Word is to speak with authority on behalf of Christ, our King, that anticipates obedience from those listening. People are to hear Christ’s voice through those proclaiming His Word and respond appropriately.

When Paul asks, “And how will they hear without a preacher?” he is not speaking of one believer sharing with another or a church member evangelizing his neighbor—all good things—but of the ordained, authoritative declaration of the counsel of God given by the minister of the gospel.

God has granted the gift of preaching to the church through men divinely set aside to proclaim the Word of the Lord. The risen Lord has granted gifts to His body, as it says in Ephesians: “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men’” (Eph. 4:7–8).

Christ does speak. He uses preachers in each generation to do so. Is God calling you to preach? Are you designed to be a preacher? Are you a man with a heart for the gospel, giftedness to communicate, and a desire to give yourself to the work of the ministry? We need preachers to bring the Word of God near. We need preachers to bring Christ at hand! The harvest is plentiful and ready to be gathered, but the workers are few.

Are You Called?

Often, men approach me who are wrestling with the call of God on their lives regarding ministry. They ask questions common to many who are considering pastoral calling, such as: “How do I know whether this is the Lord calling me or just my own ambition?” “Should I not feel more confidence rather than doubts about my gifts?” “What if I go through preparing for ministry and then realize I am not called?”

When I receive questions such as these, my memories are stirred with my struggles many years ago with this same matter. As a graduate student in mathematics at Purdue University in the 1980s, I had not gone there to become a pastor. Yet, my growing desire to teach God’s truths could not be shaken. At that time, I went through a study that helped me think biblically through the idea of calling. The beauty of this study is its simplicity in encouraging scriptural meditation and prayer.

While there are many verses concerning God’s general call to all believers, some texts are God’s unique call to ministers. A study of how God called certain men in the Bible considering the following questions is helpful.

• What are the common denominators in their backgrounds, actual calling, and their responses?

• Why do you think the men responded as they did?

• What other observations can you make regarding God’s specific call?

Men to study include Noah (Gen. 6:13–18), Abraham (Gen. 12:1–3), Jacob (Gen. 28:12–17), Moses (Ex. 3:1–12), Gideon (Judg. 6:11–24), Isaiah (Isa. 6:1–13), Jeremiah (Jer. 1:4–10), Ezekiel (Ezek. 2:3–3:11), Jonah (Jon. 1:1–3), and Saul/Paul (Acts 9:1–19; 26:15–19).

If you are considering a call into pastoral ministry, I would encourage you to set aside some time, look up these Scripture references, write down your answers to these questions, and pray for the Lord to make His perfect will known to you. A few other questions to consider include:

• How would you know if God had called you to a specific task?

• How does the concept of the “call” of God relate to the “will” of God?

An internal call of God to ministry must be confirmed by the church in what is termed an “external call.” How do the following passages show some ways that the church would help confirm one’s calling? (Prov. 11:14; Acts 13:1–4, 14:23, 16:1–3; Eph. 4:7–14; 1 Tim. 3:1–7, 4:11–16, 5:17–22; 2 Tim. 2:14; Jas. 3:1.) To what do you believe God has specifically called you (if He has)? What is your confirming evidence? What are your plans for further confirming and fulfilling His calling?

If you think you might be called to ministry, talk with your pastor and elders. You should walk closely with your shepherds as you consider a calling to ministry. Seminary training is also vital. Since 1810, the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) has trained men to serve as pastors.

In keeping with our motto, “Study Under Pastors,” students at RPTS are blessed to have pastor-professors training them. Their professors continue to serve the church as teaching elders. So whether in a systematic theology class, a church history lecture, language courses, or a counseling session, the subject material is related to the students from a pastoral perspective with the local church in view. Consequently, all courses equip students to study God’s Word and prepare sermons for God’s people. For more information, go to rpts.edu or email apply@rpts.edu.