--- title: "Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling | Westminster Confession of Faith" description: "Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling 1. All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, He is pleased in His appointed and accepted time effectua" canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-10-effectual-calling/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=43" --- # Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling | Westminster Confession of Faith 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. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowEffectual callingGod’s Word and Spirit bringing someone to Christ, actually changing their heart so they willingly believe.RegenerationThe 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. Explore the ScripturesRomans 8:30; Romans 11:7; Ephesians 1:10-11. Talk about itHow is God changing our desires different from forcing us against them? [Read original paragraph 1 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-10-effectual-calling/#paragraph-1) ### 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. Explore the Scriptures2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:4-5; Ephesians 2:4-5. Talk about itWho acts first in giving a sinner new spiritual life? [Read original paragraph 2 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-10-effectual-calling/#paragraph-2) ### 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. Explore the ScripturesLuke 18:15-16; Acts 2:38-39; John 3:3. Talk about itCan someone’s inability to hear or understand limit the Spirit? [Read original paragraph 3 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-10-effectual-calling/#paragraph-3) ### 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. Explore the ScripturesMatthew 22:14; Matthew 7:22; Matthew 13:20-21. Talk about itWhy is knowing about Christ different from trusting him? [Read original paragraph 4 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-10-effectual-calling/#paragraph-4) ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - What does God do in a person’s heart when He brings them to Christ? - Why can we thank Him rather than boast about believing? #### Scripture to remember Ezekiel 36:26 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=Ezekiel%2036%3A26) Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week. #### Put it into practice Pray for someone to hear and believe the gospel. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=43) ## Related reading - [Salvation by grace through faith](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/) - [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 29: How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-29-how-are-we-made-partakers-of-the-redemption-purchased/) - [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 67: What is effectual calling?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-67-what-is-effectual-calling/) - [The Reformed Doctrine of Redemption](https://ctkrp.org/church-papers/the-reformed-doctrine-of-redemption/) - [Read RP Testimony chapter 10](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-10-effectual-calling/) - [Chapter 9](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-9-free-will/) - [Chapter 11](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-11-justification/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-10-effectual-calling/