Theological Term of the Week: Effectual Call
Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 3:00AM 
A work of the Holy Spirit in which sinners are convicted of their sin and drawn to Christ in such a way that they are persuaded to embrace him in saving faith; “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 persuades and enables us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the gospel.”1 Also called internal call or effective call.
- From scripture:
…we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18, 23 ESV).
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28–30 ESV)
- From the London Baptist Confession, 1689, Chapter 11:
Q. 30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.Q. 31. What is effectual calling?
A. 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.Q. 32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
- From Systematic Theology by Robert Letham, pages 656-658:
Because of sin, no one can respond unaided to the universal call of creation; besides it provides no remedy for sin. Furthermore, no one an respond unaided to the gospel call either. The will is bound (John 8:34; Rom. 6:13; 7:13-14). By nature, people are dead in sin (Eph. 2:1) and so cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3); they cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:14) and so cannot be subject to the law of God (Rom. 8:7). In summary, fallen humanity cannot do good in the sight of God (Rom. 3:18; 15:5; 2 Cor. 2:3-5). A positive response to the call to fellowship with Christ is from the human standpoint impossible. How then, do people believe? The answer is in terms of effectual calling (Matt. 19:26).
… . [S]ince the calling is the work of the Holy Spirit, it is effectual and immutable (Rom. 11:29); is high, holy, and heavenly; and has as its goal fellowship with God’s Son, union with Christ. Here is the answer to the question of how people repond to the gospel. Calling itself cannot be understood in terms of our faith, although it includes our response of repentance and faith in order to reach its goal. The Spirit, in calling, unites us to Christ by awakening faith in us. He does this by regenerating us.
Learn more:
- Got Questions: What is the effectual call?
- Ligonier Ministries: Effectual Calling
- Matthew Barrett: Effectual Calling
- Thomas Watson: Effectual Calling
- Steven Lawson: Effectual Calling (video)
Related terms:
1Westminster Shorter Catechism
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