Q.67. What is effectual calling?

A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s almighty power and grace,[i] whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto[k]] he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit,[l] savingly enlightening their minds,[m] renewing and powerfully determining their wills,[n] 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.[o]

[i] John 5:25. Eph. 1:18-20. 2 Tim. 1:8,9.

[k] Tit. 3:4,5. Eph. 2:4,5,7-9. Rom. 9:11.

[l] 2 Cor. 5:20. Compared with 2 Cor. 6:1,2. John 6:44. 2 Thess. 2:13,14.

[m] Acts 26:18. 1 Cor. 2:10,12.

[n] Ezek. 11:19. Ezek. 36:26,27. John 6:45.

[o] Eph. 2:5. Phil. 2:13. Deut. 30:6.

Q.68. Are the elect only effectually called?

A. All the elect, and they only, are effectually called;[p] although others may be, and often are, outwardly called by the ministry of the word,[q] and have some common operations of the Spirit;[r] who, for their wilful neglect and contempt of the grace offered to them, being justly left in their unbelief, do never truly come to Jesus Christ.[s]

[p] Acts 13:48.

[q] Matt. 22:14.

[r] Matt. 7:22. Matt. 13:20,21. Heb. 6:4-6.

[s] John 12:38-40. Acts 28:25-27. John 6:64,65. Ps. 81:11,12.