WCF 10.3

10.3. Of Effectual Calling

Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated, and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who worketh when, and where, and how He pleaseth: so also, are all other elect persons who are uncapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.

Proof texts

• Luke 18:15, 16, and Acts 2:38, 39 and John 3:3, 5 and 1 John 5:12 & Rom. 8:9 compared — [15] Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. [16] But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
• John 3:8 — [8] The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
• 1 John 5:12 — [12] Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have 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.”

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Luke 18:15, 16, and Acts 2:38, 39 and John 3:3, 5 and 1 John 5:12 & Rom. 8:9 compared in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 4 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. WLC Q60 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q30 · WLC Q60 · WLC Q61 · WLC Q62 · WLC Q57 · WSC Q29 · WSC Q31 · 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