WCF 10.2

10.2. Of Effectual Calling

This effectual call is of God’s free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein, until being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.

Proof texts

• 2 Tim. 1:9 — [9] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
• Tit. 3:4, 5
• Eph. 2:4, 5, 8, 9 — [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 — [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
• Rom. 9:11 — [11] though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad — in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls —
• 1 Cor. 2:14 — [14] The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
• Rom. 8:7 — [7] For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
• Eph. 2:5 — [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved —
• John 6:37 — [37] All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
• Ezek. 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.
• John 5:25 — [25] “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited 2 Tim. 1:9 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 10 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q30 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q31 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q30 · WSC Q31 · WLC Q59 · WLC Q60 · WLC Q67 · WLC Q68 · WLC Q57 · WSC Q29 · WSC Q32 · BC 6.1 · BC 6.2 · BC 6.3 · CD 3.1 · HC Q53 · IAR 5.6 · SC60 5.1 · SC60 5.2 · SC60 5.3 · SC60 5.4 · SHC 5.1 · SHC 5.2 · SHC 5.3