Plain-language reading guide
READING HELP
Read this chapter alongside the Confession chapter on the same subject. The Testimony states what the church teaches, applies that teaching, and identifies views it rejects. Read each statement with its Scripture proofs and the surrounding paragraphs.
To find explicit rejections in this chapter, go to point 3, point 4, point 5. Read each full point to see exactly which teaching is rejected.
This reading guide is separate from the official text below.
Read the official text, or choose a simpler explanation to explore together.
Westminster Confession
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?
1. Preaching the Gospel consists in the offer of salvation through Christ to sinners, accompanied with such an explanation of the various parts of God’s Word as may help to persuade men to receive Christ as Savior, and to live and walk in Him. 2 Cor. 5:20; Matt. 28:20; Isa. 55:1-3.
2. The elect are effectually called by means of the Gospel offer. This offer is not a declaration to any sinner that his name is in the Book of Life. It is founded upon God’s command to offer Christ and all His benefits to sinners. There is no inconsistency between the biblical doctrine of particular redemption and the command to offer the Gospel to all men. Deut. 29:29; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46- 47; 2 Tim. 2:19.
3. We reject the teaching that the Gospel offer of salvation is freely and truly offered only to the elect. We reject the teaching that particular redemption is to be so understood and presented that Christ as ransom and propitiation is not preached or offered to all men indiscriminately.
4. We reject the teaching that all will be effectually called and ultimately saved.
5. We reject the view that those who are diligent and sincere in a false religion have eternal life.
6. Evangelism is the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord as He is offered in the Gospel. Christ laid the responsibility upon the whole Church to make this proclamation. The task is not restricted to ordained officers. Each member is to take his share of the responsibility according to the gifts God has given him. Acts 2:36; Matt. 28:18-20; John 20:21; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:7-16.
7. Those evangelizing should use all available means consistent with the Bible so that every person may be given the opportunity to hear, understand and receive the Gospel. While guarding against undue pressure, we must urge men to be reconciled to God. 1 Cor. 9:20-22; 1 Cor. 2:2-5; 2 Cor. 5: 20.
8. Evangelism is not only to seek the conversion of sinners but also to build them up to become effective in the Church’s continuing task. Col. 1:27-28; Eph. 4:12-15.
9. The Great Commission requires the Church to take the whole Gospel to the whole world. The Bible recognizes the legitimacy of diverse cultures. Every culture is to be transformed and made subject to Christ through redeemed men, all for the glory of God. Matt. 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 9:19-23; 1 Cor. 10: 32-33; Rev. 21:24, 26; Ps. 72:10-11.
10. Wherever consistent with faithfulness to God’s truth, different branches of the visible church should cooperate in evangelism to strengthen their witness by demonstrating their unity in Christ. John 17:20-21.
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.
- Rejects
- Says that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted.
- Ordained
- Set apart by the church for a church office.
- Gospel
- The good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Testimony 10.1
Preaching should genuinely offer Christ to sinners, explain God’s Word, and call people to trust and follow him.
Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 10.2
God uses the gospel offer to bring his chosen people to faith. We offer Christ to everyone because God commands it, without first identifying who is chosen.
Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 10.3
The Testimony rejects limiting a genuine offer of salvation to the elect. Particular redemption does not prevent us from freely offering Christ to every person.
Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 10.4
The Testimony rejects the teaching that everyone will eventually be brought to faith and saved.
Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 10.5
The Testimony rejects the idea that sincerity and diligence in a false religion give a person eternal life.
Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 10.6
Sharing the gospel is the whole church’s responsibility, including ordinary members according to their gifts, rather than only ordained leaders.
Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 10.7
Use methods consistent with Scripture to help people hear and understand the gospel. Urge them to turn to God without manipulative pressure.
Read original point 7 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 10.8
Evangelism includes helping converts mature and participate in the church’s continuing work.
Read original point 8 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 10.9
The church must bring the whole gospel to every nation. Cultures have legitimate differences, but each must be transformed under Christ’s authority.
Read original point 9 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 10.10
Churches should cooperate in evangelism where they can do so faithfully, showing their unity in Christ.
Read original point 10 and its Scripture proofs →Source: The Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, updated 2026, A-35, A-36, A-37, A-38.