Study Reformed

10.1. Of Effectual Calling

All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, 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; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God, taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them a 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

Rom. 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.
Rom. 11:7 — [7] What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,
Eph. 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 Thess. 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.
2 Cor. 3:3, 6 — [3] And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. [6] who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Rom. 8:2 — [2] For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Eph. 2:1, 2, 3, 4, 5 — [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 —
2 Tim. 1:9, 10 — [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, [10] and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
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.’
1 Cor. 2:10, 12 — [10] these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. [12] Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
Eph. 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,
Ezek. 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.
Ezek. 11:19 — [19] And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
Phil. 2:13 — [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Deut. 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.
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.
Eph. 1:19 — [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
John 6:44, 45 — [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 —
Song. 1:4 — [4] Draw me after you; let us run. The king has brought me into his chambers. <b>Others</b> We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you.
Ps. 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.
John 6:37 — [37] All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
Rom. 6:16, 17, 18 — [16] Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? [17] But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, [18] and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Rom. 8:30 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
22 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q29 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
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 · WLC Q58 · WLC Q59 · WLC Q60 · WLC Q67 · WLC Q68 · HC Q53 · BC 6.1 · BC 6.2 · BC 6.3 · CD 3.1

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section I. — All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to calV 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 ;' enlightening 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. ^ Section II…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): There is an external call of the gospel, whereby all who hear it are called to the fellowship of Christ, and to receive a full salvation Id him, without money and without price. — Isa. Iv. 1. This call is not confined to the elect, nor restricted to those who are sensible of their sins, and feel their need of a Saviour, or who possess some good qualifications to distinguish them from others ; but it is addressed to mankind sinners as such, withoT\t distinction, and without exception. All who come under the general denomination of men, whatever be their character and state, have this call directed to them : " To you, O men, I call, and my voice…

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

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?
10 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q30 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
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

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section I. — All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to calV 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 ;' enlightening 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. ^ Section II…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): There is an external call of the gospel, whereby all who hear it are called to the fellowship of Christ, and to receive a full salvation Id him, without money and without price. — Isa. Iv. 1. This call is not confined to the elect, nor restricted to those who are sensible of their sins, and feel their need of a Saviour, or who possess some good qualifications to distinguish them from others ; but it is addressed to mankind sinners as such, withoT\t distinction, and without exception. All who come under the general denomination of men, whatever be their character and state, have this call directed to them : " To you, O men, I call, and my voice…

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

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?
4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q30 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
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

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section I. — All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to calV 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 ;' enlightening 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. ^ Section II…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): The Holy Spirit usually works by means ; and the Word, ^^ read or preached, is the ordinary means which he renders OF EFFECTUAL CALLING. effectual to the salvation of sinners. But he has immediate access to the hearts of men, and can produce a saving change in them without the use of ordinary means. "As infants are not fit subjects of instruction, their regeneration must be effected without means, by the immediate agency of the Moly Spirit on their souls. There are adult persons, too, to whom the use of reason has been denied. It would be harsh and unwarrantable to suppose that they are, on this account, excluded from salvation ; and to such of them as God…

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 they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men, not professing the Christian religion, be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the law of that religion they do profess. And to assert and maintain that they may, is very pernicious, and to be detested.

Proof texts

Matt. 22:14 — [14] For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matt. 7:22 — [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
Matt. 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.
Heb. 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 6:64, 65, 66 — [64] But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) [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.” [66] After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
John 8:24 — [24] I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
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 14:6 — [6] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Eph. 2:12 — [12] remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
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.
2 John 9, 10, 11 — [9] Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. [10] If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, [11] for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
1 Cor. 16:22 — [22] If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!
Gal. 1:6, 7, 8 — [6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — [7] not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Matt. 22:14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
14 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WLC Q62 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WLC Q68 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WLC Q62 · WLC Q68 · WLC Q57 · WSC Q29 · WSC Q30 · 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

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section I. — All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to calV 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 ;' enlightening 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. ^ Section II…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): The doctrines stated in this section are the following : — 1. That though those who are not elected have the external call of the gospel addressed to them, in common with those who are elected, yet " they never truly come to Christ, and therefore cannot be saved." 2. That there are "common operations of the Spirit," which produce convictions of sin, by means of the law in the conscience; and joyous emotions, by means of the gospel, in the affections of men in their natural state ; which do not issue in conversion. 3. That those cannot be saved who are totally destitute of revelation. " Though the invitation which nature gives to seek God be sufficient to…