September 19, 2025 – Steven Fetters
Of Effectual Calling
Fetters, Steven
ST 14: Symbolics
Professor Dr. Sam Waldron
May 27, 2025
It is undeniably true that Scripture teaches salvation is a free gift from God bestowed
upon the elect before the foundation of the world (Eph.1:4, 2:8). However, there have been many
problematic teachers throughout church history who have taught man has the freedom and ability
in his fallen nature to choose God for Salvation. This teaching which finds its roots in
Pelagianism, argues man is not inherently fallen and therefore has the means within himself to
express faith in Christ for salvation. Today this teaching is more commonly known as
Arminianism, which believes there is a sense of human participation in salvation. This teaching 1
is not only unbiblical but is contrary to Reformed theology. Simply put, because of Adam’s sin 2
in the garden; man’s nature is not inherently good, as some suggest, rather it is sinful, fallen,
depraved and broken (Rom.5:12). The Bible is clear man is dead in his trespasses and sins and
cannot choose God or express faith in Christ for salvation (Eph.2:1-3). For this reason, it is God
alone who elects man unto salvation, calls by his gospel, justifies in faith and will glorify in the
end, by his grace and grace alone. In short, the work of salvation, from beginning to end, is all of
God and not of man.
In light of this, The 1689 Baptist Confession of Fatih has defended the doctrine of
Effectual Calling in a clear, concise and most importably Biblical way. In chapter 10 of the
confession titled, Effectual Calling, gives a general overview of the Sovereign Grace of God in
election and how the Triune God interacts with His covenantal people. Having said that, this
1 Barrett, Matthew. Salvation by Grace: The Case for Effectual Calling and Regeneration. P&R
Publishing, 2013. 23
2 “As those who hold to the Reformed faith would argue soteriology (man’s salvation) is a complete
work of God and even our very existence is a gift from the Lord.”
writing will look closer at the doctrine of Effectual Calling, focusing on the historical, Biblical
and practical perspective from the confession, for the Church. With that being said, chapter 10,
paragraph 1 of the Confession reads,
In God’s appointed and acceptable time, he is pleased to call effectually, by his Word and Spirit,
those he has predestined to life. He calls them out of their natural state of sin and death to grace
and salvation by Jesus Christ. He enlightens their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the
things of God. He takes away their heart of stone and gives them a heart of flesh. He renews their
wills and by his almighty power turns them to good and effectually draws them to Jesus Christ.
Yet he does all this in such a way that they come completely freely, since they are made willing
by his grace.
Historical Background
The London Baptist Confession of Faith was penned and organized by the framers in the
Seventeenth century. The First London Baptist Confession of Faith though completed in 1644
was “corrected and enlarged” in 1646, then published anonymously in 1677. This updated
confession was adopted by the church in 1689. Today this confession commonly referred to as
The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith or simply the Second London Confession has stood the test
of time as a historic statement of faith for the Reformed Baptist the past 300 years.
The 1689 London Confession of Faith coming after the great Reformation of the church
in the Sixteenth century was still defending and heralding the Scripture alone, however, in a clear
and concise confessional way. This is why the Particular Baptist thought it wise to clearly
articulate and promote the doctrines of the Christian faith from a Calvinistic perspective for a
number of reasons but not limited too the heretical teachings of their time. As Dr. Robert Paul
Martin points out “A confession is a useful means for the public affirmation and defense of the
truth. Further the confession is a useful tool for discriminating truth from error and for presenting
in a small compass the central doctrines of the Bible in their integrity and due proportions.”3
Simply put, historic confessions of faith are meant to unify the church because of its legitimacy
to Scripture, while also separating itself from the church who teaches contrary to sound doctrine
(Tit.2:1). Further, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the great Baptist preacher of London, once
famously said in his time, “Weapons which are offensive to our enemies should never be allowed
to rust.” And of course Spurgeon was remarking that the 1689 London Confession of Faith is 4
the weapon in the hand of the church that ought never grow dull and left abandon. Undoubtedly
the 1689 London Baptist Confession when used in submission to Scripture, protects the bride of
Christ, for the glory of God. This is why those gifted men given to the church by God
(Eph.4:11-12) labored diligently and faithfully to write such a document that promoted sound
doctrine in accordance with Scripture, becuase the sanctification of the Christian and purity of
the Bride was at stake.
It also should be noted much of the confessions content derives from the Westminster
Confession of Faith completed in 1646 and even the Savoy Declaration completed in 1658. It has
been said before that the Westminster Confession of Faith is recognized as the grandparent to the
1689 and the Savoy Declaration could be considered its parent. Both the Particular Baptist and 5
the Presbyterian congregations publicly display a unity of Doctrine within their respected
confessions; with the obvious differences on baptism and Church polity.
3 Waldron, Samuel E. A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. EP Books, 2016. 22
Martin, Robert Paul. The Legitimacy and Use of Confessions of Faith. Reformed Baptist Publications, 4
1989.
Renihan, James M. A Toolkit for Confessions: Symbolics 101. Reformed Baptist Academic Press, 2017. 5
14
With that being said, the Particular Baptist of England thought it wise to contend for the
faith by devoting a chapter within the confession specifically focused on the doctrine of God’s
effectual call. That it is God alone who produces salvation in a dead man’s heart through the
preaching of His gospel and the working of His Spirit. Of course the framers of the confession
did not dismiss the reality of man’s responsibility to respond to the gospel call of salvation. Yet,
because of human sinfulness, man is completely and wholly dependent on the Divine grace of
God for his salvation. Simply put the Reformed church has always understood and believed with
full conviction that man’s salvation from beginning to end is work of the Triune God alone and
not of man.
Biblical Basis
As mentioned earlier The 1689 Baptist Confession of Fatih has defended the doctrine of
effectual calling most accurate to the Scripture. There are countless passages associated with the
doctrine of election in chapter 10 of the confession, however, to limit the length of this paper
only the verses in paragraph one of chapter 10 will be touched on. As the Bible most explicitly
states because of Adam’s sin and disobedience in the garden the whole world and everything in it
has been imputed with that sin (Rom.5:18). With the only obvious exception of the Lord Jesus
Christ who was born not of man but of the Spirit of God (Matt.1:8). Nevertheless, everyone born
of Adam is fallen in Adam. As Romans 5:12 states, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world
through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”
Without a clear understanding of the doctrine of original sin, there remains no clear
understanding for the doctrine of election. Simply put, man is not inherently good as some
suggest but is in fact, spiritually alienated from God and on the road to destruction and death
from the moment of his birth because of the federal head, Adam. As Ephesians 2:1-2 reminds the
church “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the
course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in
the sons of disobedience.” Or elsewhere in the book of Isaiah, God says, “We all like sheep have
gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the
iniquity of us all” (Isa.53:6). Therefore, man is in need of a Savior to redeem his life from sin
and death, and that Savior is Christ Jesus. If God was not rich in grace and did not extend mercy
to His creation in the person and work of Jesus Christ, everyone born in Adam would receive the
just penalty for their sin which is death. As the Scripture says, “For the wages of sin is death, but
the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom.6:23). Or elsewhere in
Ephesians 2:4-5 which says, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which
he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by
grace you have been saved.” Let it be said, until fallen man comprehends how great his sin and
separation is in light of a Holy God; he will never truly understand the unmerited grace and favor
God bestows upon those who are His, elected before the foundation of the world (Eph.1:4).
Certainly there have been many in the evangelical church who have tried to undermine
the doctrine of effectual calling as it relates to God and His loving character. These say that a
Gracious and Loving God would never elect some unto eternal life while He “overlooks” or
dismisses others. However this opinion of God is incorrect, unbiblical and is pregnant with self-
pride. To be clear humans do not know better than God. In fact, God says, “For my thoughts are
not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord” (Isa.55:8). Stated
pointedly, God does not look over some in salvation. Rather those who are not the recipients of
God’s unmerited, divine grace in salvation are receiving the due penalty for their sin. Remember
those who are born in Adam will die in Adam. Of course, those who are recipients of God’s
unmerited, divine grace are receiving something they do not deserve. This is why salvation in
Christ is called a gift from God (Eph.2:8-10). And so it is, those who encourage the teaching of
Arminianism, that promotes man’s free will in salvation is disconnected from Biblical theology,
leading many away from Sound Doctrine.
Considering the doctrine of election, Dr. Wayne Grudem, who has contributed greatly to
this topic, has provoked the church to reconsider this doctrine as it relates to the Sola Scriptura,
the Scripture alone. When defining the doctrine of election or more specifically effectual calling,
Dr. Grudem remarks, “We may define effective calling as follows: effective calling is an act of
God the Father, speaking through the human proclamation of the gospel, in which he summons
people to himself in such a way that they respond in saving faith.” Of course, this definition is 6
closely related to what the confession states in chapter 10, paragraph one, sentence one. Which
reads “In God’s appointed and acceptable time, he is pleased to call effectually, by his Word and
Spirit, those he has predestined to life. He calls them out of their natural state of sin and death to
grace and salvation by Jesus Christ” (2LBC 10:1). Of course, the Scripture confirms this divine
reality as well. Acts 26:18 which says it is God, who “Opens their [elect] 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 a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me [Christ]”
Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Zondervan Academic, 6
- 843
(parenthesis added). Or elsewhere in Ephesians 1:17-18 which says, “that the God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you [the church], the Spirit of wisdom and of
revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may
know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance
in the saints.” To be clear, the doctrine of election teaches that God is Sovereignly calling His
people to His Son Jesus Christ in repentance and faith through the proclamation of the gospel
and the working of His Spirit. Most certainly, this is a work of the Triune God alone. A work that
is impossible for a dead man to accomplish without God effectual calling him to spiritual life in
Christ.
Further, the confession goes on to say, “He takes away their heart of stone and gives them
a heart of flesh. He renews their wills and by his almighty power turns them to good and
effectually draws them to Jesus Christ” (2LBC 10:1). This raises the question, “Who has the
power to change the heart?” Asked rhetorically: Does fallen man have the almighty power within
himself to remove his heart of stone in exchange for the heart of flesh? Or can sinful and
depraved man express saving faith in Christ for salvation? Obviously not. Consider the Old
Testament Scripture when God spoke through the prophet Ezekiel during his ministry. God says,
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the
heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you,
and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezk.36:26-27). Logically
man does not have the ability to remove his heart of stone for a heart of flesh and spirituality
man certainly does not have the ability to place God’s Spirit within himself. Which of course
concludes it is God alone who has to do this supernatural work. Biblically, this new heart that
God speaks of is considered the “regeneration of the heart,” or the “circumcision of the heart” or
to be spiritually “born again.” As Colossians 2:11; John 3; Titus 3:5 and other countless passages
declare. As Christ says to Nicodemus in John 3:3. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of
water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Clearly to enter into the kingdom of
God, as the people of God is specifically accomplished by a new birth alone. And to be
spiritually born again means to receive a new heart which is achieved solely by the transforming
work of the Holy Spirit. As the Apostle Peter proclaims so boldly, “Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again
to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1Pet.1:3). Scripture is
clear, the effectual call of God in salvation begins with God, is accomplished through His Word
and is effectually applied to the person, by His Spirit. In short, God alone begins, carries out, and
completes the work of salvation by His grace and for His glory.
In regards to election and man’s responsibility the confession states very pointedly that,
“He [God] does all this in such a way that they come completely freely, since they are made
willing by his grace” (2LBC 10:1). In other words, if the effacious call of God in a person’s life
is all of God; how then can fallen man respond to the gospel through faith and obedience, if God
does not first initiate the relationship? As Matthew Henry points out concerning the process of
salvation, Henry writes, “Note, Conversion-work is God’s work; it is he that works in us both to
will and to do; not as if we had nothing to do, but of ourselves, without God’s grace, we can do
nothing. Salvation of those that are saved must be wholly ascribed to Him.” As Matthew Henry 7
would suggest, those who hold to a reformed view of soteriology, don’t deny man’s
Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary Acts To Revelation. Hendrickson Publishers, 2006. 7
167
responsibility to respond to the gospel call. Yet as Henry and many other gifted brothers in the
faith point out, if God’s undeserved grace is not extended to an individual in the conviction of the
heart to repent and believe in the gospel, man simply would not come. Therefore, man has to be
spiritually born again (i.e. regenerated in heart) before he responds in faith to Jesus Christ and
His gospel of salvation. Most obvious, it is the grace of God that calls a man to the Lord and it is
that same grace that regenerates the heart to respond appropriately to the good news of the gospel
message. In other words, regeneration does in fact precede faith.
Finally as Romans 6:16-18 reminds the church, “Do you not know that if you present
yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin,
which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that
you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching
to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of
righteousness.” It is here that the Apostle Paul makes clear: since sinful man has been given a
new heart and nature by God, this work is what allows him to respond in faith and obedience to
the gospel message. Stated differently you are a slave to whichever nature is greater. If fallen in
Adam you will desire the things of the flesh. If born of the Spirit you will naturally desire the
things of Christ. As Pastor Rob Ventura points out “Faith in Christ is the single greatest evidence
that one has been effectually called. Faith is not the cause of the new birth, but the evidence of
it.” Put another way without the regenerating work of the Spirit, man cannot express genuine 8
saving faith in Christ to be saved. As Dr. Joel Beeke remarks, “Regeneration is a mystery that
transcends complete human understanding. It is the supernatural rebirth of a sinner by God in
8 Ventura, Rob. A New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. Mentor, 2022. 191
which he applies the life of the risen Christ to produce conversion in the inner man for the
renewal of God’s image and definitive cleansing from sin-all only because of his mercy and
love.” In light of everything that has been saod, specifically Scripture as well as those of the 9
faith who have labored diligently concerning this topic. God’s effectual call of salvation from
start to finish is a work that begins with God, is accomplished by God and will be completed for
God, in glory, by his grace and grace alone.
Practical Application
It goes without saying theology has a real impact on daily life. The way a person thinks,
speaks and acts is of course influenced by what He thinks and knows about God. This is why in
light of what has been said, the doctrine of effectual calling changes the way a Christian views
God and lives their life in light of God’s unmerited grace. Remarked once more, Pastor Joel
Beeke points this out, doctrine both “Informs the minds and engages hearts – giving it the power
to transform lives.” In other words, God’s Scripture will influence positively those predestined 10
to life and will effect the whole of that person because right theology always leads to right
Christian living. Or said differently right theology always leads to doxology, to the praises of
God. This is why when the Biblical doctrine of election is understood in light of Scripture and
accompanied with the confession, will naturally produces a life of worship in word and deed in
Beeke, Joel, and Paul Smalley. Reformed Systematic Theology, Volume 3: Spirit and Salvation. 9
Crossway , 2021. 406
Beeke, Joel. Reformed Preaching. Crossway, 2018. 10
and through the Christian’s life (1Jn.3:18). Further, the faithful church stands on God’s doctrine
of election, because it is this doctrine that expresses the grace of God in salvation and the
finished work Christ on that cross. As the Scriptures most richly states: “We love because he first
loved us” (1Jn.4:19).
Further as finite humans there is a limited amount of understanding one can posses with
such a great and high doctrine as election. Certainly, the work of the Holy Spirit through the
preaching of the gospel is what makes this supernatural conversion efficacious in the life of the
Christian (2LBC 20:4). Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit is the Great assistance in illuminating the
Scripture for man, giving insight into the doctrine of election, which produces a particular praise
and adoration for a person’s salvation. As mentioned before, salvation, from start to finish and
everything in between is a complete work of God. So to take credit for the great gift of salvation
and the free grace that God bestows upon his people is not only prideful but unbiblical.
Therefore, the faithful church throughout history has always responded to their salvation by
falling on their knees in humbleness giving thanks, praise and adoration to the Father, through
the Son, and by the seal of the Holy Spirit (Eph.5:20). For it is God alone who has drawn sinful
man to the Righteous Savior and it is God alone who has opened his spiritual eyes to the gospel
of the Alpha and the Omega, granting him the greatest gift he will ever receive, eternal life in
Christ Jesus.
Additionally the church benefits from the doctrine of effectual calling, because it is this
truth that emphasizes a complete dependance on God in salvation to save His creation. There is a
burden that begins to lift off of the Christian once they understand they contributed nothing to
their salvation apart from the undeserved Sovereign grace of God in their life. As the famous
puritan Thomas Watson once said, “When God calls a man by His grace, he cannot but come.
You may resist the minister’s call, but you cannot the Spirit’s call.” And so it is, because the 11
new birth is the grace of God in salvation and man contributed nothing to this end; the faithful
church will rest assured that God knows those who are His and it is God alone who is working
out their salvation, according to His plan, aligned with His will, all for His glory.
Finally, it should be said, the doctrine of election perseveres the Christian to remain
faithful in Christ until the end. Since all Christian’s desire God’s people to come to a saving
knowledge of the gospel. The devoted church will remain steadfast in proclaiming this gospel
message; because it was God’s grace and His gospel hat brought about their new life in Christ,
when they were dead in their sins and trespasses. And so it is, the grace of God in election
produces perseverance and faithful obedience to Christ, because it is this gospel of grace on
which the elect’s faith is built upon, and new life in Christ is found.
In closing, let the reader consider the doctrine of election with a serious joy. The aim of
this writing was to prove from the Scripture and in light of the 1689 London Baptist Confession
of Faith that God alone has predestined men unto eternal life. Stated once more, man contributes
nothing to the process of his salvation; not even the faith he expresses is his own, but is a free
gift from God by grace alone (Eph.2:8-9). To summarize, when God effectual calls those who are
His to His Son, Jesus Christ (Jn.6:44,65). He does this through the means of His grace, which are
the preaching of His Word and the working of His Spirit (Eph.1:13). Yet God does this in such a
way that those who are called by the gospel do so completely freely because God has opened
Watson Thomas. Effectual Calling. A Puritan’s Mind. 2025. 11
their heart to receive in faith His gospel, as a demonstration of His grace, and most explicitly, all
for His glory (Eph.1:11-14). SOLI DEO GLORIA!
Musica Theologica 