In the religious world, the generic phrase “called into the ministry” is generally associated with those who claim that they have been called or directed by God, in order to minister to others in some religious capacity. Those that associate themselves as being “called into the ministry” cannot provide any specific scripture(s) to base their claim upon.
However, when we study God’s word we will indeed find the ministry that God has committed unto ALL members of the “body of Christ,” who have been saved by believing the gospel of the grace of God.
The Ministry of Reconciliation
In II Corinthians 5:17 our Apostle Paul tells us that if any man be in Christ, then he is a new creature. “Being in Christ” means that we have become a member of the “body of Christ.” As a member of the “body of Christ,” we have been saved once and for all eternity.
God has given to us who are members of the “body of Christ,” the responsibility to become ministers on His behalf. In II Corinthians 5:18-21 we are told that God has reconciled the world to Himself by the death of Jesus Christ upon the cross. All those who have been saved by believing the gospel are called to become ambassadors for Christ, and have been given the Ministry of Reconciliation. We are to share with the world that we ourselves become reconciled to God by believing the gospel of the grace of God recorded in I Corinthians 15:1-4.
II Corinthians 5:17-21
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
In II Corinthians 4:1-2 Paul speaks of the ministry that God has given to members of the “body of Christ. Paul says that we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty; we are not to walk in craftiness, nor handle the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
II Corinthians 4:1-2
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
In II Corinthians 4:3-6 we are told that if our gospel be hid, it is hid from those that are lost, that the god of this world has blinded the minds of those that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Paul writes that we are not to preach ourselves, but to preach Christ Jesus the Lord, as we are servants for Jesus’ sake, as the light has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
II Corinthians 4:3-6
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
As we can clearly see, God has called ALL members of the “body of Christ” to be ambassadors for Christ and to share the Ministry of Reconciliation with others so that they too can be saved and experience eternal life in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There should never be any confusion as to the mission and ministry that God has given to us, since God has explained it to us in His Holy Word.