Read RP Testimony chapter 10 →
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1. 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.
Scripture proofs: Rom. 8:30; Rom. 11:7; Eph. 1:10-11; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 2 Cor. 3:3, 6; Rom. 8:2; Eph. 2:1-5; 2 Tim. 1:9-10; Acts 26:18; 1 Cor. 2:10, 12; Eph. 1:17-18; Ezek. 36: 26; Ezek. 11:19; Phil. 2:13; Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:27; Eph. 1:19; John 6:44-45; Song of Sol. 1:4; Ps. 110:3; John 6:37; Rom. 6:16-18.
2. 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.
Scripture proofs: 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:4-5; Eph. 2:4-5, 8-9; Rom. 9:11; 1 Cor. 2:14; Rom. 8:7; Eph. 2: 5; John 6:37; Ezek. 36:27; John 5:25.
3. 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.
Scripture proofs: Luke 18:15-16, and Acts 2:38-39, and John 3:3, 5, and 1 John 5:12, and Rom. 8:9 compared; John 3:8; 1 John 5:12; Acts 4:12.
4. 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.
Scripture proofs: Matt. 22:14; Matt. 7:22; Matt. 13:20-21; Heb. 6:4-5; John 6:64-66; John 8:24; Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Eph. 2:12; John 4:22; John 17:3; 2 John 9-11; 1 Cor. 16: 22; Gal. 1:6-8.
Words to know
- Effectual calling
- God’s Word and Spirit bringing someone to Christ, actually changing their heart so they willingly believe.
- Regeneration
- The Spirit’s work of giving new spiritual life; also called the new birth.
WCF 10.1 · God’s call changes hearts
At his chosen time, God brings his people out of spiritual death through his Word and Spirit. He opens their understanding, replaces hard hearts with responsive ones, and renews their wills. They come to Christ willingly because his grace makes them willing. This effective saving call really brings about faith.
Romans 8:30; Romans 11:7; Ephesians 1:10-11.
How is God changing our desires different from forcing us against them?
WCF 10.2 · New life is a gift
God’s saving call comes entirely from his grace, not from goodness he foresaw in us. We do not first give ourselves new life. The Spirit makes us alive and renews us; then we can respond to God’s call and receive Christ.
2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:4-5; Ephesians 2:4-5.
Who acts first in giving a sinner new spiritual life?
WCF 10.3 · The Spirit is not limited
God’s chosen infants who die are saved by Christ through the Spirit. The same is true of his chosen people who cannot understand an outward gospel call. The Spirit can work when, where, and how he pleases. Salvation is still through Christ, even when someone cannot hear or understand preaching.
Luke 18:15-16; Acts 2:38-39; John 3:3.
Can someone’s inability to hear or understand limit the Spirit?
WCF 10.4 · Hearing is not the same as believing
People may hear the gospel and experience some of the Spirit’s common work without truly coming to Christ. That does not save them. Sincere effort in another religion cannot provide a different way to God. Salvation is found in Christ alone, so we must actually receive him.
Matthew 22:14; Matthew 7:22; Matthew 13:20-21.
Why is knowing about Christ different from trusting him?
Source: The Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, updated 2026, A-35, A-36, A-37.