What is effectual calling?

Which Bible passages support this answer?

The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 31. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.

1. 2 Timothy 1:9

   He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, (NET)

2. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

   ¹³But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. ¹⁴He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NET)

3. Acts 2:37

   Now when they heard this, they were acutely distressed and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “What should we do, brothers?” (NET)

4. Acts 26:18

   to open their eyes so that they turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ (NET)

5. Ezekiel 36:26-27

   ²⁶I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷I will put my Spirit within you; I will take the initiative, and you will obey my statutes and carefully observe my regulations. (NET)

6. John 6:44-45

   ⁴⁴No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁴⁵It is written in the prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who hears and learns from the Father comes to me. (NET)

7. Philippians 2:13

   for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God. (NET)

What does this answer mean?

Effectual calling is the Spirit's work of bringing a person to Christ. The answer lists what he does: he convinces us of our sin and misery, enlightens our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renews our wills. In this way he persuades and enables us to embrace Jesus Christ, who is freely offered to us in the gospel.

What can we ask our children?

1. What does the Spirit show us about ourselves?
2. What does the Spirit change in our minds and wills?
3. Who is freely offered to us in the gospel?