The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s
Spirit,[1] whereby,—convincing us
of our sin and misery,[2] enlightening our minds in the knowledge
of Christ,[3] and
renewing our wills,[4]—He doth persuade and enable us to embrace
Jesus Christ,
freely offered to us in the Gospel.[5]
[1]
2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14; [2] Acts 2:37; [3] Acts 26:18;
[4] Ezekiel 36:26–27; [5] John 6:44–45;
Philippians 2:13.
It is commonly understood that there are two ways by which God calls men to be saved—the external call of His Word or providence, and the internal call of His Spirit. The external call, so understood, is referred to in passages such as the Great Commission (Mt 28:19), and in the Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Mt 22) where those who are called would not come. It is involved in the presentation of the Gospel to sinners, together with an earnest exhortation to repent and believe (trust) in Christ, in order to obtain the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
It should be noted, however, that while the presentation of the Gospel and the
command to repent and believe is made to all,—elect and reprobate alike (cf. Mt
22:9),—strictly speaking the external call, as a gracious act of God, is made to the elect only. Calvin highlights
this when he insists that “the preaching of the Gospel streams forth from the
wellspring of election,” and that the preaching of the Gospel involves “the
calling of the elect and the blinding and hardening of the wicked” (ICR 3.24.1). Then, explaining Matthew
22:14, “many are called, but few are chosen,” Calvin clarifies: “… there are two
kinds of call, by which God invites all equally to himself through the outward
preaching of the word—even those whom He holds it out as a savour of death (cf.
2 Cor 2:16), and as the occasion for severer condemnation. The other kind of
call is special, which he deigns for the most part to give to the believers
alone, while by inward illumination of His Spirit He causes the preached Word
to dwell in their heart” (ICR
3.24.8). To put it in another way, there is really only one gracious and saving call, which is directed to the elect only, and this call
comprises two parts—the external preaching (and reading) and the inward
illumination. The external part of the call (which may loosely be called the
external call) is heard by the reprobate also, but only as a savour unto death.
The outward aspect of the call, is, however, always ineffectual unless the Holy
Spirit works a work of grace in the heart of the hearer (and contrary to the
Arminian view, He does not always do so when the Word is preached). But when He
does so, the call invariably becomes effectual.
Thus, the inward aspect of the call is denominated the efficacious call. This
call, according to our answer, is designed to “persuade and enable us to
embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the Gospel.” The Scripture refers
to this work as ‘drawing’ the sinner unto Christ and as causing the sinner
“both to will and to do of [God’s] good pleasure” (Phil 2:13). This work
comprises three aspects: (1) convincing us of our sin and misery—by pricking
our heart or exciting our conscience as we hear the Word, especially the law
preached (Acts 2:37; Rom 3:20) and by persuading us of the dreadful wrath of
God against sin; (2) enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ—by
opening our eyes to behold Christ and to be persuaded that He alone is willing
and able to save (Jn 3:3; Acts 26:18; Jn 6:37; Heb 7:25); and (3) renewing our
wills—by giving us a new disposition (Ezk 36:26–27) to find Christ
irresistible. It may be noted that the first two aspects are the work of the
Holy Spirit on the mind while the third aspect is the work of the Holy Spirit
on the will (through the heart or disposition).