---
title: "Question 31: What is effectual calling? | Westminster Shorter Catechism"
description: "Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 31: What is effectual calling? Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the kno"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-31-what-is-effectual-calling/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=162"
---

# Question 31: What is effectual calling? | Westminster Shorter Catechism

Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.

Scripture proofs: 2 Tim. 1:9; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Acts 2:37; Acts 26:18; Ezek. 36:26-27; John 6: 44-45; Phil. 2:13.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=162)

## Related reading

- [Salvation by grace through faith](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-10-effectual-calling/)
- [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/)
- [Question 30](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-30-how-doth-the-spirit-apply-to-us-the-redemption/)
- [Question 32](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-32-what-benefits-do-they-that-are-effectually-called-partake/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-31-what-is-effectual-calling/