1689 10.4

10.4. Of Effectual Calling

Others not elected, although they may be called by the Ministry of the word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet not being effectually drawn by the Father, they neither will, nor can truly come to Christ; and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men that receive not the Christian Religion be saved; be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the Law of that Religion they do profess.

Proof texts

• Matthew 22:14 — [14] For many are called, but few are chosen.”
• Matthew 13:20, 21 — [20] As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, [21] yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
• Hebrews 6:4, 5 — [4] For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, [5] and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come,
• John 6:44, 45, 65 — [44] No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. [45] It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me — [65] And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
• 1 John 2:24, 25 — [24] Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. [25] And this is the promise that he made to us — eternal life.
• Acts 4:12 — [12] And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
• John 4:22 — [22] You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
• John 17:3 — [3] And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Matthew 22:14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 8 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