"Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures"
Romans 1:1-2

SEPARATED TO THE GOSPEL OF GOD

It is possible to distinguish between "calling" and "separation". Paul not only spoke of his being "called to be an apostle", he also emphasized that he was "separated" to the Gospel of God.

DISTINGUISHING "CALLING" FROM "SEPARATION"

It would be useful to make the following distinctions between "calling" and "separation".

1. Calling

The following things may be observed as we study the Gospels.

a) Though "a calling" is essentially sacred, the nature of that calling is at best "general".

i) A person may be "called" ("invited") to believe in the Lord Jesus as Savior.

ii) He may also be "called" to follow the Lord Jesus as a disciple.

b) An extension of that calling

i) A person must prove himself as a disciple first (with the exception of Judas Iscariot).

ii) An extension of the calling to be a disciple may move towards "apostleship".

The following text may well illustrate the idea of the extension of this "calling".

"And when He had called His twelve disciples
to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits,
to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sicknesses
and all kinds of disease…
Now the names of the twelve apostles are…"
Matthew 10:1, 2a

2. Separation

Paul introduced the idea of "separation". It is essentially an even further extension of the idea of "calling".

a) The idea of "separation" extends the basic concept of "calling"

Paul wrote of this in his epistle to the Galatians. It would be worthwhile to note how Paul used both words, "calling" and "separation" in careful juxtaposition.

"But when it pleased God, who separated me from
my mother's womb and called me through His grace."
Galatians 1:15

b) The idea of "separation" with reference to the Gospel of God

Paul used the concept of separation in conjunction with the Gospel he espoused!