In this entry, we continue our consideration of Chapter 10 of the Confession and the crucial subject “of effectual calling.” Previously, we considered the factuality of effectual calling. There is a call different from the general, gospel call, which actually brings men to salvation in Jesus Christ. Now consider the “individuality” of effectual calling. I mean to say that it comes to specific individuals and is not just a divine “group hug.” Effectual calling, that is to say, is specific, personal, and individual—not merely corporate.
John 10:3 … the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
An important passage on this personal and individual character of effectual calling is 1 Cor. 7:18-24. It speaks of how many different and individual circumstances may characterize the specific individuals who are called: “Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised …. Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? … For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave …. Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.” It is a wonderful truth that God calls us and knows us by name. He loves us individually and personally and so embraces us in Christ.
But having considered the factuality and individuality of effectual calling, notice its priority. This call is prior to human response. Rather, it creates the human response. It is, thus, prevenient, not in the watered-down, Wesleyan sense in which prevenient is sometimes used, but in the full meaning of the word. It precedes and creates the human response for which it calls.
2 Thess 2:13-14 God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel … We are called to faith in the truth. Therefore, we are called before faith in the truth.
Rom 8:29-30 … these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. This calling precedes the justification which is by faith.
1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son … If we are called to union with Christ, then that calling precedes union with Christ and the faith which unites us to Christ.
1 Cor 1:26-30 For consider your calling…there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish..weak..base..despised..things that are not…by His doing you are in Christ… Effectual calling is that act of God which places us in Christ and, thus, it precedes union with Christ and the faith that unites us to Christ.
It is a glorious reality. The call precedes and gives us faith, union with Christ, and justification.
But beware of a false conclusion from this priority. Though effectual calling is logically and causally prior to faith, it is not temporally or chronologically prior to faith. Rather, it immediately creates faith in that person to whom it comes. It does not precede faith in time.
Listen to John Murray’s excellent statement on this:
“the salvation with which Paul is going to deal in this epistle has no reality…apart from faith…The priority of effectual calling and of regeneration… should not be allowed to prejudice this truth either in our thinking or in the preaching of the gospel. It is true that regeneration is causally prior to faith. But it is only causally prior…Hence, the salvation which is of the gospel is never ours apart from faith…The person who is merely regenerated is not saved, the simple reason being that there is no such person. The saved person is also called justified and adopted.”
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Dr. Sam Waldron is the Academic Dean of CBTS and professor of Systematic Theology. He is also one of the pastors of Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Owensboro, KY. Dr. Waldron received a B.A. from Cornerstone University, an M.Div. from Trinity Ministerial Academy, a Th.M. from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. From 1977 to 2001 he was a pastor of the Reformed Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, MI. Dr. Waldron is the author of numerous books including A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, The End Times Made Simple, Baptist Roots in America, To Be Continued?, and MacArthur’s Millennial Manifesto: A Friendly Response.
