1689 10.1

10.1. Of Effectual Calling

Those whom God hath predestinated unto Life, he is pleased in his appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call by his word, and Spirit, out of that state of sin, and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and Salvation by Jesus Christ; inlightning their minds, spiritually, and savingly to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by his Almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by his Grace.

Proof texts

• Romans 8:30 — [30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
• Romans 11:7 — [7] What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,
• Ephesians 1:10, 11 — [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. [11] In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14 — [13] But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. [14] To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Ephesians 2:1-6 — [1] And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — [3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. [4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — [6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
• Acts 26:18 — [18] to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
• Ephesians 1:17, 18 — [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, [18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
• Ezekiel 36:26 — [26] And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
• Deuteronomy 30:6 — [6] And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
• Ezekiel 36:27 — [27] And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
• Ephesians 1:19 — [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
• Psalm 110:3 — [3] Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.
• Song of Solomon 1:4

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Romans 8:30 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 13 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q29 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q30 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q29 · WSC Q30 · WSC Q31 · WSC Q32 · WLC Q57 · WCF 10.1 · WCF 10.2 · WCF 10.3 · WCF 10.4 · HC Q53 · BC 6.1 · BC 6.2 · BC 6.3 · CD 3.1 · SD 10.1 · SD 10.2 · SD 10.3 · SD 10.4