Where in Scripture is the Divine Call

In order to better understand the Divine Call, here is something from the WELS Q & A section.

Q: Where in Scripture does the Divine Call come from, and what is the proper way to issue a call for a pastor or teacher? How do we avoid putting our own earthly agenda above faith that God will lead the person he wants to accept the call?

A: Referring to calls into the public (representative) ministry as "divine calls" highlights that God ultimately calls these people to serve in gospel ministry. The Bible assures us of this in a variety of passages, including these: Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, Ephesians 4:11-12. God also sets the qualifications for called workers (see 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9).

The Bible also, however, informs us that God calls through the church, that is, believers. He moves believers to appraise needs, identify gifts and traits of available workers, verify the necessary qualifications, and to make the selection in responsible ways. Comparing the gifts and experience of called workers to the situation to be filled is a large part of this. Bible examples of God using human instruments in the calling process would include Acts 1:26, Acts 14:21-23, Titus 1:5.

The situations you describe might be examples of how believers are being less than faithful in serving as God's instruments in the calling process. Sometimes, as you say, people may seek to serve themselves first rather than the body of believers or the called worker. The response to this is for people who know about it to address the issues directly, rebuking and urging people to repent if and as necessary. Loving yet firm discipline among God's people is to be an ongoing reality. We are not to throw out the concept of the divine call or to think that God is unable to work through even flawed instruments. He does that often. Like through you and me.

For ease, I have added the Bible passages below so that you can see the biblical basis for the Divine Call:

Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

1 Timothy 3:1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. 8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless-- not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Acts 1:26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Acts 14:21 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.