God's call to salvation in the New Testament is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31). Those who respond are the called of God. He calls us out of darkness into the light of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:9). God calls us to faith in Christ by the word and the Spirit.
God's call is to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. The called of God do so through repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). The gospel is for whoever, but not all will respond (Romans 10:13). Those who do are the called according to God's purpose (Romans 8:28-30).
God's call brings us out of spiritual darkness into the light of Christ. Our eyes of understanding are open to Christ crucified for our sins and raised from the dead for our justification. By God's grace, we are able to live in the light. "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
God's call is by the power of the Holy Spirit to believe the word of the gospel (Romans 1:16). The called of God respond by turning to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our hearts are changed by the grace of God. Certainly, the gospel is preached to all, but God's call is only effective in those who repent, or turn to God, through faith in Christ.
