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Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 67

Question 67

What is effectual calling?

Effectual calling is the work of God's almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto ) he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein.

Scripture references for paragraph 1

Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.

John 5:25

25Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

Ephesians 1:18-20

18I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,

19and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength,

20which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,

2 Timothy 1:8-9

8So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.

9He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

Titus 3:4-5

4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,

5He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 2:4-5

4But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!

Ephesians 2:7-9

7in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

8For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,

9not by works, so that no one can boast.

Romans 9:11

11Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand,

2 Corinthians 5:20

20Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2

1As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

2For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!

John 6:44

44“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

13But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.

14To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 26:18

18to 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 an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

1 Corinthians 2:10

10But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:12

12We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Ezekiel 11:19

19And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh,

Ezekiel 36:26-27

26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

27And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

John 6:45

45It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me—

Ephesians 2:5

5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!

Philippians 2:13

13For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

Deuteronomy 30:6

6The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.

Source and edition

Westminster Larger Catechism. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription

Unlicense. Source transcription.

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