Effectual Calling &amp; Regeneration

Scots Confession · Chapter III: Of Original Sin8 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 9: Of Free Will, and So of Man's Power and Ability7 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 9: Of Free Will6 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 86 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 675 shared topics The Cambridge Declaration · Sola Gratia: The Erosion of The Gospel5 shared topics

Third and Fourth Head, Article 3: Total Inability

Therefore, all people are conceived in sin and are born children of wrath, unfit for any saving good, inclined to evil, dead in their sins, and slaves to sin; without the grace of the regenerating Holy Spirit they are neither willing nor able to return to God, to reform their distorted nature, or even to dispose themselves to such reform.

Parallel passages (6+)

London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 20: Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace Thereof6 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 675 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 685 shared topics Scots Confession · Chapter III: Of Original Sin5 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 18: Of the Ministers of the Church, Their Institution and Offices5 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 655 shared topics

Third and Fourth Head, Article 11: The Holy Spirit's Work in Conversion

Moreover, when God carries out this good pleasure in his chosen ones, or works true conversion in them, he not only sees to it that the gospel is proclaimed to them outwardly, and enlightens their minds powerfully by the Holy Spirit so that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God, but, by the effective operation of the same regenerating Spirit, he also penetrates into the inmost being of man, opens the closed heart, softens the hard heart, and circumcises the heart that is uncircumcised. He infuses new qualities into the will, making the dead will alive, the evil one good, the unwilling one willing, and the stubborn one compliant; he activates and strengthens the will so that, like a good tree, it may be enabled to produce the fruits of good deeds.

Parallel passages (6+)

Scots Confession · Chapter XII: Faith in the Holy Ghost7 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 20: Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace Thereof7 shared topics Scots Confession · Chapter III: Of Original Sin6 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 9: Of Free Will, and So of Man's Power and Ability6 shared topics Scots Confession · Chapter XIII: The Cause of Good Works6 shared topics Belgic Confession · Article 14: The Creation and Fall of Man5 shared topics

Third and Fourth Head, Article 12: Regeneration a Supernatural Work

And this is the regeneration, the new creation, the raising from the dead, and the making alive so clearly proclaimed in the Scriptures, which God works in us without our help. But this certainly does not happen only by outward teaching, by moral persuasion, or by such a way of working that, after God has done his work, it remains in man's power whether or not to be reborn or converted. Rather, it is an entirely supernatural work, one that is at the same time most powerful and most pleasing, a marvelous, hidden, and inexpressible work, which is not lesser than or inferior in power to that of creation or of raising the dead, as Scripture (inspired by the author of this work) teaches. As a result, all those in whose hearts God works in this marvelous way are certainly, unfailingly, and effectively reborn and do actually believe. And then the will, now renewed, is not only activated and motivated by God but in being activated by God is also itself active. For this reason, man himself, by that grace which he has received, is also rightly said to believe and to repent.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree3 shared topics

Third and Fourth Head, Article 13: The Incomprehensible Way of Regeneration

In this life believers cannot fully understand the way this work occurs; meanwhile, they rest content with knowing and experiencing that by this grace of God they do believe with the heart and love their Savior.

Parallel passages (1)

Third and Fourth Head, Article 16: Regeneration's Effect

However, just as by the fall man did not cease to be man, endowed with intellect and will, and just as sin, which has spread through the whole human race, did not abolish the nature of the human race but distorted and spiritually killed it, so also this divine grace of regeneration does not act in people as if they were blocks and stones; nor does it abolish the will and its properties or coerce a reluctant will by force, but spiritually revives, heals, reforms, and—in a manner at once pleasing and powerful—bends it back. As a result, a ready and sincere obedience of the Spirit now begins to prevail where before the rebellion and resistance of the flesh were completely dominant. It is in this that the true and spiritual restoration and freedom of our will consists. Thus, if the marvelous Maker of every good thing were not dealing with us, man would have no hope of getting up from his fall by his free choice, by which he plunged himself into ruin when still standing upright.

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree3 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints3 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 20: Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace Thereof3 shared topics The Cambridge Declaration · Sola Gratia: The Erosion of The Gospel3 shared topics

Third and Fourth Head, Article 17: God's Use of Means in Regeneration

Just as the almighty work of God by which he brings forth and sustains our natural life does not rule out but requires the use of means, by which God, according to his infinite wisdom and goodness, has wished to exercise his power, so also the aforementioned supernatural work of God by which he regenerates us in no way rules out or cancels the use of the gospel, which God in his great wisdom has appointed to be the seed of regeneration and the food of the soul. For this reason, the apostles and the teachers who followed them taught the people in a godly manner about this grace of God, to give him the glory and to humble all pride, and yet did not neglect meanwhile to keep the people, by means of the holy admonitions of the gospel, under the administration of the Word, the sacraments, and discipline. So even today it is out of the question that the teachers or those taught in the church should presume to test God by separating what he in his good pleasure has wished to be closely joined together. For grace is bestowed through admonitions, and the more readily we perform our duty, the more lustrous the benefit of God working in us usually is and the better his work advances. To him alone, both for the means and for their saving fruit and effectiveness, all glory is owed forever. Amen.

Parallel passages (4)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof8 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 255 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling5 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof5 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 8: Of Man's Fall, Sin, and the Cause of Sin4 shared proof texts · 7 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 9: Of Free Will4 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics

Third and Fourth Head: Rejection of the Errors

Having set forth the orthodox teaching, the Synod rejects the errors of those

Error I.

Who teach that, properly speaking, it cannot be said that original sin in itself is enough to condemn the whole human race or to warrant temporal and eternal punishments.

For they contradict the apostle when he says: "Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death passed on to all men because all sinned" (Rom. 5:12); also: "The guilt followed one sin and brought condemnation" (Rom. 5:16); likewise: "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23).

Error II.

Who teach that the spiritual gifts or the good dispositions and virtues such as goodness, holiness, and righteousness could not have resided in man's will when he was first created, and therefore could not have been separated from the will at the fall.

For this conflicts with the apostle's description of the image of God in Ephesians 4:24, where he portrays the image in terms of righteousness and holiness, which definitely reside in the will.

Error III.

Who teach that in spiritual death the spiritual gifts have not been separated from man's will, since the will in itself has never been corrupted but only hindered by the darkness of the mind and the unruliness of the emotions, and since the will is able to exercise its innate free capacity once these hindrances are removed, which is to say, it is able of itself to will or choose whatever good is set before it—or else not to will or choose it.

This is a novel idea and an error and has the effect of elevating the power of free choice, contrary to the words of Jeremiah the prophet: "The heart itself is deceitful above all things and wicked" (Jer. 17:9); and of the words of the apostle: "All of us also lived among them [the sons of disobedience] at one time in the passions of our flesh, following the will of our flesh and thoughts" (Eph. 2:3).

Error IV.

Who teach that unregenerate man is not strictly or totally dead in his sins or deprived of all capacity for spiritual good but is able to hunger and thirst for righteousness or life and to offer the sacrifice of a broken and contrite spirit which is pleasing to God.

For these views are opposed to the plain testimonies of Scripture: "You were dead in your transgressions and sins" (Eph. 2:1, 5); "The imagination of the thoughts of man's heart is only evil all the time" (Gen. 6:5; 8:21). Besides, to hunger and thirst for deliverance from misery and for life, and to offer God the sacrifice of a broken spirit is characteristic only of the regenerate and of those called blessed (Ps. 51:17; Matt. 5:6).

Error V.

Who teach that corrupt and natural man can make such good use of common grace (by which they mean the light of nature) or of the gifts remaining after the fall that he is able thereby gradually to obtain a greater grace—evangelical or saving grace—as well as salvation itself; and that in this way God, for his part, shows himself ready to reveal Christ to all people, since he provides to all, to a sufficient extent and in an effective manner, the means necessary for the revealing of Christ, for faith, and for repentance.

For Scripture, not to mention the experience of all ages, testifies that this is false: "He makes known his words to Jacob, his statutes and his laws to Israel; he has done this for no other nation, and they do not know his laws" (Ps. 147:19–20); "In the past God let all nations go their own way" (Acts 14:16); "They [Paul and his companions] were kept by the Holy Spirit from speaking God's word in Asia"; and "When they had come to Mysia, they tried to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit would not allow them to" (Acts 16:6–7).

Error VI.

Who teach that in the true conversion of man new qualities, dispositions, or gifts cannot be infused or poured into his will by God, and indeed that the faith [or believing] by which we first come to conversion and from which we receive the name "believers" is not a quality or gift infused by God, but only an act of man, and that it cannot be called a gift except in respect to the power of attaining faith.

For these views contradict the Holy Scriptures, which testify that God does infuse or pour into our hearts the new qualities of faith, obedience, and the experiencing of his love: "I will put my law in their minds, and write it on their hearts" (Jer. 31:33); "I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring" (Isa. 44:3); "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Rom. 5:5). They also conflict with the continuous practice of the church, which prays with the prophet: "Convert me, Lord, and I shall be converted" (Jer. 31:18).

Error VII.

Who teach that the grace by which we are converted to God is nothing but a gentle persuasion, or (as others explain it) that the way of God's acting in man's conversion that is most noble and suited to human nature is that which happens by persuasion, and that nothing prevents this grace of moral suasion even by itself from making natural men spiritual; indeed, that God does not produce the assent of the will except in this manner of moral suasion, and that the effectiveness of God's work by which it surpasses the work of Satan consists in the fact that God promises eternal benefits while Satan promises temporal ones.

For this teaching is entirely Pelagian and contrary to the whole of Scripture, which recognizes besides this persuasion also another, far more effective and divine way in which the Holy Spirit acts in man's conversion. As Ezekiel 36:26 puts it: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; and I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. . . ."

Error VIII.

Who teach that God in regenerating man does not bring to bear that power of his omnipotence whereby he may powerfully and unfailingly bend man's will to faith and conversion, but that even when God has accomplished all the works of grace which he uses for man's conversion, man nevertheless can, and in actual fact often does, so resist God and the Spirit in their intent and will to regenerate him, that man completely thwarts his own rebirth; and, indeed, that it remains in his own power whether or not to be reborn.

For this does away with all effective functioning of God's grace in our conversion and subjects the activity of Almighty God to the will of man; it is contrary to the apostles, who teach that "we believe by virtue of the effective working of God's mighty strength" (Eph. 1:19), and that "God fulfills the undeserved good will of his kindness and the work of faith in us with power" (2 Thess. 1:11), and likewise that "his divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).

Error IX.

Who teach that grace and free choice are concurrent partial causes which cooperate to initiate conversion, and that grace does not precede—in the order of causality—the effective influence of the will; that is to say, that God does not effectively help man's will to come to conversion before man's will itself motivates and determines itself.

For the early church already condemned this doctrine long ago in the Pelagians, on the basis of the words of the apostle: "It does not depend on man's willing or running but on God's mercy" (Rom. 9:16); also: "Who makes you different from anyone else?" and "What do you have that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7); likewise: "It is God who works in you to will and act according to his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).

Scripture proofs

Rom. 5:12
Rom. 5:12 Because of this, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, so also death passed through to all men, because all sinned.
Rom. 5:16
Rom. 5:16 And not as through one having sinned [is] the gift; for indeed the judgment out of one [is] to condemnation; but the gracious gift out of many trespasses [is] to justification.
Rom. 6:23
Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death, but the gift of God [is] eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 4:24
Ephesians 4:24 and to have put on the new man, having been created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth.
Jer. 17:9
Jer. 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick—who can know it?
Eph. 2:3
Eph. 2:3 among whom we all also once conducted ourselves in the desires of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of [its] thoughts; and we were by nature children of wrath even as the rest.
Eph. 2:1, 5
Eph. 2:1, 5 1 And you⁺, being dead in your⁺ trespasses and sins— 5 even us being dead in trespasses, made [us] alive with Christ—by grace you⁺ are saved—
Gen. 6:5; 8:21
Gen. 6:5 And YHWH saw that the wickedness of mankind on the earth [was] great and [that] every inclination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil all the day.
8:21 And YHWH smelled the pleasing aroma, and YHWH said in His heart, “I will not continue to curse anymore the ground on account of mankind, though the inclination of the heart of man [is] evil from his youth. I will not continue anymore to destroy every living thing, as I have done.
Ps. 51:17; Matt. 5:6
Ps. 51:17 The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit. A heart broken and crushed, O God, You will not despise.
Matt. 5:6 Blessed [are] those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, because they will be filled.
Ps. 147:19–20
Ps. 147:19–20 19 He declares His words to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel. 20 He has not done so for any nation; and His judgments they have not known. Praise YAH!
Acts 14:16
Acts 14:16 who in the generations past allowed all the nations to go their ways.
Acts 16:6–7
Acts 16:6–7 6 And having passed through Phrygia and the Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia, 7 and having come down to Mysia, they were attempting to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
Jer. 31:33
Jer. 31:33 “For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, a declaration of YHWH: I will give My law in their inward parts, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.
Isa. 44:3
Isa. 44:3 For I will pour water upon a thirsty one, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit upon your seed, and My blessing upon your offspring.
Rom. 5:5
Rom. 5:5 And hope does not put [us] to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the One having been given to us.
Jer. 31:18
Jer. 31:18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself: ‘You disciplined me, and I was disciplined as an untrained heifer; turn me back and I will return, for You [are] YHWH my God.
Ezekiel 36:26
Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give to you⁺ a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you⁺; and I will take away the heart of stone from your⁺ flesh, and I will give to you⁺ a heart of flesh.
Eph. 1:19
Eph. 1:19 and what [is] the surpassing greatness of His power to us, those believing, according to the working of the power of His strength,
2 Thess. 1:11
2 Thess. 1:11 For [this] also we pray always for you⁺, that our God may count you⁺ worthy of the calling and may fulfill every good pleasure of goodness and work of faith in power,
2 Peter 1:3
2 Peter 1:3 Accordingly, His divine power has given to us all things toward life and godliness, through the knowledge of the One having called us [by His] own glory and excellence,
Rom. 9:16
Rom. 9:16 So then, [it is] not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of God having mercy.
1 Cor. 4:7
1 Cor. 4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you did not receive? And if also you did receive [it], why do you boast as not having received [it]?
Phil. 2:13
Phil. 2:13 For God is the One working in you⁺ both to will and to work on behalf of [His] good pleasure.

Parallel passages (6+)

Scots Confession · Chapter III: Of Original Sin3 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 9: Of Free Will, and So of Man's Power and Ability3 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 19: Of the Sacraments of the Church of Christ3 shared topics

Fifth Head, Article 1: The Regenerate Not Entirely Free from Sin

Those people whom God according to his purpose calls into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord and regenerates by the Holy Spirit, he also sets free from the reign and slavery of sin, though in this life not entirely from the flesh and from the body of sin.

Parallel passages (3)

London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 20: Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace Thereof5 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 17: Of the Catholic and Holy Church of God, and of the One Only Head of the Church4 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 10: Of the Predestination of God, and the Election of the Saints4 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 14: Of Repentance, and the Conversion of Man4 shared topics The Cambridge Declaration · Solus Christus: The Erosion of Christ-Centered Faith4 shared topics The Cambridge Declaration · Sola Gratia: The Erosion of The Gospel4 shared topics

Fifth Head, Article 7: Renewal to Repentance

For, in the first place, God preserves in those saints when they fall his imperishable seed from which they have been born again, lest it perish or be dislodged. Secondly, by his Word and Spirit he certainly and effectively renews them to repentance so that they have a heartfelt and godly sorrow for the sins they have committed; seek and obtain, through faith and with a contrite heart, forgiveness in the blood of the Mediator; experience again the grace of a reconciled God; through faith adore his mercies; and from then on more eagerly work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 11: Of Justification9 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints8 shared proof texts · 8 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree6 shared proof texts · 7 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints5 shared proof texts · 9 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 15 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation5 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics

Fifth Head: Rejection of the Errors

Having set forth the orthodox teaching, the Synod rejects the errors of those

Error I.

Who teach that the perseverance of true believers is not an effect of election or a gift of God produced by Christ's death, but a condition of the new covenant which man, before what they call his "peremptory" election and justification, must fulfill by his free will.

For Holy Scripture testifies that perseverance follows from election and is granted to the chosen by virtue of Christ's death, resurrection, and intercession: "The chosen obtained it; the others were hardened" (Rom. 11:7); likewise, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not, along with him, grant us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised—who also sits at the right hand of God, and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Rom. 8:32–35).

Error II.

Who teach that God does provide the believer with sufficient strength to persevere and is ready to preserve this strength in him if he performs his duty, but that even with all those things in place which are necessary to persevere in faith and which God is pleased to use to preserve faith, it still always depends on the choice of man's will whether or not he perseveres.

For this view is obviously Pelagian; and though it intends to make men free it makes them sacrilegious. It is against the enduring consensus of evangelical teaching which takes from man all cause for boasting and ascribes the praise for this benefit only to God's grace. It is also against the testimony of the apostle: "It is God who keeps us strong to the end, so that we will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 1:8).

Error III.

Who teach that those who truly believe and have been born again not only can forfeit justifying faith as well as grace and salvation totally and to the end, but also in actual fact do often forfeit them and are lost forever.

For this opinion nullifies the very grace of justification and regeneration as well as the continual preservation by Christ, contrary to the plain words of the apostle Paul: "If Christ died for us while we were still sinners, we will therefore much more be saved from God's wrath through him, since we have now been justified by his blood" (Rom. 5:8–9); and contrary to the apostle John: "No one who is born of God is intent on sin, because God's seed remains in him, nor can he sin, because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:9); also contrary to the words of Jesus Christ: "I give eternal life to my sheep, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand" (John 10:28–29).

Error IV.

Who teach that those who truly believe and have been born again can commit the sin that leads to death (the sin against the Holy Spirit).

For the same apostle John, after making mention of those who commit the sin that leads to death and forbidding prayer for them (1 John 5:16–17), immediately adds: "We know that anyone born of God does not commit sin" [that is, that kind of sin], "but the one who was born of God keeps himself safe, and the evil one does not touch him" (v. 18).

Error V.

Who teach that apart from a special revelation no one can have the assurance of future perseverance in this life.

For by this teaching the well-founded consolation of true believers in this life is taken away and the doubting of the Romanists is reintroduced into the church. Holy Scripture, however, in many places derives the assurance not from a special and extraordinary revelation but from the marks peculiar to God's children and from God's completely reliable promises. So especially the apostle Paul: "Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:39); and John: "They who obey his commands remain in him and he in them. And this is how we know that he remains in us: by the Spirit he gave us" (1 John 3:24).

Error VI.

Who teach that the teaching of the assurance of perseverance and of salvation is by its very nature and character an opiate of the flesh and is harmful to godliness, good morals, prayer, and other holy exercises, but that, on the contrary, to have doubt about this is praiseworthy.

For these people show that they do not know the effective operation of God's grace and the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and they contradict the apostle John, who asserts the opposite in plain words: "Dear friends, now we are children of God, but what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he is made known, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure" (1 John 3:2–3). Moreover, they are refuted by the examples of the saints in both the Old and the New Testament, who though assured of their perseverance and salvation yet were constant in prayer and other exercises of godliness.

Error VII.

Who teach that the faith of those who believe only temporarily does not differ from justifying and saving faith except in duration alone.

For Christ himself in Matthew 13:20ff. and Luke 8:13ff. clearly defines these further differences between temporary and true believers: he says that the former receive the seed on rocky ground, and the latter receive it in good ground, or a good heart; the former have no root, and the latter are firmly rooted; the former have no fruit, and the latter produce fruit in varying measure, with steadfastness, or perseverance.

Error VIII.

Who teach that it is not absurd that a person, after losing his former regeneration, should once again, indeed quite often, be reborn.

For by this teaching they deny the imperishable nature of God's seed by which we are born again, contrary to the testimony of the apostle Peter: "Born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable" (1 Peter 1:23).

Error IX.

Who teach that Christ nowhere prayed for an unfailing perseverance of believers in faith.

For they contradict Christ himself when he says: "I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail" (Luke 22:32); and John the gospel writer when he testifies in John 17 that it was not only for the apostles, but also for all those who were to believe by their message that Christ prayed: "Holy Father, preserve them in your name" (v. 11); and "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you preserve them from the evil one" (v. 15).

Scripture proofs

Rom. 11:7
Rom. 11:7 What then? What Israel seeks after, this it did not obtain, but the elect obtained [it]. And the rest were hardened,
Rom. 8:32–35
Rom. 8:32–35 32 He who indeed did not spare [His] own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring an accusation against the chosen ones of God? God [is] the One justifying. 34 Who [is] the one condemning? Christ Jesus the One having died, now rather having been raised, [is] He who is also at the right hand of God, and who is interceding for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
1 Cor. 1:8
1 Cor. 1:8 who also will confirm you⁺ until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom. 5:8–9
Rom. 5:8–9 8 But God demonstrates His own love to us, that [in] our being still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Therefore much more, having been justified now by His blood, we will be saved by Him from wrath!
1 John 3:9
1 John 3:9 Everyone having been born of God does not do sin, because His seed remains in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.
John 10:28–29
John 10:28–29 28 And I give them eternal life, and never shall they perish to the age, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the hand of the Father.
1 John 5:16–17
1 John 5:16–17 16 If anyone should see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and He will give to him life—to those sinning not unto death. There is a sin unto death; I do not say that he should implore concerning that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not unto death.
Rom. 8:39
Rom. 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God that [is] in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 John 3:24
1 John 3:24 And the one keeping His commandments remains in Him, and He in him. And in this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit whom He gave to us.
1 John 3:2–3
1 John 3:2–3 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and what we will be was not yet made manifest. We know that if He should be made manifest, we will be like Him, for we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone having this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Matthew 13:20
Matthew 13:20 And that having been sown upon the rocky [places], this is the one hearing the word and immediately receiving it with joy.
Luke 8:13
Luke 8:13 And the ones upon the rock [are] those who, when they may hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a time, and in time of testing they fall away.
1 Peter 1:23
1 Peter 1:23 having been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, by the word of God, living and abiding,
Luke 22:32
Luke 22:32 But I begged for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
John 17
John 17 on BibleHub ↗

Parallel passages (6+)

London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree38 shared proof texts · 16 shared topics Canons of Dort · First Head: Rejection of the Errors14 shared proof texts · 12 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1315 shared proof texts · 7 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 5415 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1211 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 2611 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics

Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree

1. God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.

2. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions, yet hath he not decreed anything because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.

3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death.

4. These angels and men, thus predestinated, and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.

5. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of his mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith, or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto; and all to the praise of his glorious grace.

6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto. Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power, through faith, unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.

7. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy, as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by; and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice.

8. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men, attending the will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.

Scripture proofs

Ps. 33:11; Eph. 1:11; Heb. 6:17.
Ps. 33:11 The counsel of YHWH stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation and [to] generation.
Eph. 1:11 in Him, in whom also we obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One working all things according to the counsel of His will
Heb. 6:17 in which God, willing to show more abundantly the unchangeableness of His purpose to the heirs of the promise, guaranteed [it] by an oath,
Ps. 5:4; James 1:13–14; 1 John 1:5. (See Hab. 1:13.)
Ps. 5:4 For You [are] not a God delighting in wickedness; evil shall not sojourn with You.
James 1:13–14 13 Let no one being tempted say, “I am being tempted from God.” For God is unable to be tempted by evils, and He Himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted, being dragged away and being enticed by [his] own desire.
1 John 1:5 And this is the message that we have heard from Him and we announce to you⁺, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness—none.
Hab. 1:13 Purer of eyes than to behold evil, and You are not able to look on wickedness. Why do You look on those acting treacherously, [and] remain quiet when the wicked is devouring one more righteous than he?
Acts 2:23; Matt. 17:12; Acts 4:27–28; John 19:11; Prov. 16:33.
Acts 2:23 Him delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you⁺ put to death, having crucified by lawless hands—
Matt. 17:12 But I say to you⁺ that Elijah did already come, and they did not know him, but they did to him whatever they wanted. Thus also the Son of Man is about to suffer under them.”
Acts 4:27–28 27 For in truth, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together in this city against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predetermined to happen.
John 19:11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Because of this, the one having delivered Me up to you has greater sin.”
Prov. 16:33 Into the lap the lot is cast, and all its judgment [is] from YHWH.
1 Sam. 23:11–12; Matt. 11:21, 23.
1 Sam. 23:11–12 11 Will the men of Keilah shut me up into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O YHWH, God of Israel, declare, please, to Your servant.” And YHWH said, “He will come down.” 12 And David said, “Will the men of Keilah shut up me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And YHWH said, “They will shut [you] up.”
Matt. 11:21, 23 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles having happened in you⁺ had happened in Tyre and Sidon, long ago in sackcloth and ashes they would have repented. 23 And you, Capernaum, to heaven will you be lifted up? To Hades you will be brought down! For if the miracles having happened in you had happened in Sodom, it would have remained until [this] day.
Rom. 9:11, 13, 16, 18.
Rom. 9:11, 13, 16, 18 11 for they not yet having been born nor having done anything good or evil, so that the purpose of God according to election might stand— 13 As it has been written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 16 So then, [it is] not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of God having mercy. 18 So then, He has mercy on whom He wants, and He hardens whom He wants.
1 Tim. 5:21; Jude 6; Matt. 25:31, 41.
1 Tim. 5:21 I earnestly testify before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels that you should keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing according to partiality.
Matt. 25:31, 41 31 And when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit upon the throne of His glory. 41 Then also He will say to those on [His] left, ‘Depart from Me, the cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Jude 6 on BibleHub ↗
Eph. 1:5–6; Rom. 9:22–23; Prov. 16:4.
Eph. 1:5–6 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously gave us in the Beloved One,
Rom. 9:22–23 22 And [what] if God, desiring to display the wrath and to make known His power, bore with much patience vessels of wrath, having been fitted for destruction, 23 so that He might also make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,
Prov. 16:4 YHWH has made everything for its own end—even the wicked for the day of evil.
John 13:18; 2 Tim. 2:19. (See John 10:14–16, 27–28; 17:2, 6, 9–12.)
John 13:18 I speak not about all of you⁺—I know whom I chose—but so that the Scripture may be fulfilled: ‘The one eating My bread lifted up his heel against Me.’
2 Tim. 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God has stood, having this seal: “The Lord knows those being His,” and, “Let everyone naming the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”
John 10:14–16, 27–28 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me— 15 just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. It is necessary for Me to bring those also, and they will hear My voice, and there will be one flock [and] one shepherd. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and never shall they perish to the age, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
17:2, 6, 9–12 2 as You gave to Him authority over all flesh, so that all whom You have given to Him, He may give to them eternal life. 6 I revealed Your name to the men whom You gave to Me out of the world. They were Yours, and to Me You gave them, and they have kept Your word. 9 I ask concerning them. I do not ask concerning the world, but concerning those whom You have given to Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all things of Mine are Yours, and Yours Mine, and I have been glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, and they are themselves in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given to Me, so that they may be one as We [are]. 12 When I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name, which You have given to Me. And I guarded [them], and none of them perished except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Eph. 1:4, 9, 11; Rom. 8:28–30; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:9.
Eph. 1:4, 9, 11 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world for us to be holy and blameless before Him, in love 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Him 11 in Him, in whom also we obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One working all things according to the counsel of His will
Rom. 8:28–30 28 And we know that God works together all things for good to those loving God, to those being called according to purpose, 29 because whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to be] conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be firstborn among many brothers. 30 And whom He predestined, these also He called; and whom He called, these also He justified; and whom He justified, these also He glorified.
2 Tim. 1:9 the One having saved us and having called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, having been given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
1 Thess. 5:9 because God did not set us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rom. 9:11, 13, 15–16; Eph. 2:8–9. (See Eph. 1:5, 9, 11.)
Rom. 9:11, 13, 15–16 11 for they not yet having been born nor having done anything good or evil, so that the purpose of God according to election might stand— 13 As it has been written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 15 For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I may have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I may have compassion.” 16 So then, [it is] not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of God having mercy.
Eph. 2:8–9 8 For by grace you⁺ are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one may boast.
Eph. 1:5, 9, 11 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Him 11 in Him, in whom also we obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One working all things according to the counsel of His will
Eph. 1:6, 12.
Eph. 1:6, 12 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously gave us in the Beloved One, 12 for us to be to the praise of His glory, the ones having first hoped in Christ,
1 Peter 1:2; Eph. 2:10; 2 Thess. 2:13.
1 Peter 1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you⁺.
Eph. 2:10 For we are His workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
2 Thess. 2:13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you⁺, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you⁺ from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,
1 Thess. 5:9–10; Titus 2:14.
1 Thess. 5:9–10 9 because God did not set us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 the One having died for us, so that whether we may watch or we may sleep, we may live together with Him.
Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness and might purify to Himself a people specially His, zealous for good works.
Rom. 8:30. (See Eph. 1:5; 2 Thess. 2:13.)
Rom. 8:30 And whom He predestined, these also He called; and whom He called, these also He justified; and whom He justified, these also He glorified.
Eph. 1:5 having predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
2 Thess. 2:13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you⁺, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you⁺ from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,
1 Peter 1:5.
1 Peter 1:5 who [are] being guarded in the power of God through faith for the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
John 10:14–15, 26; John 6:64–65; Rom. 8:28–39. (See John 8:47; 17:9; 1 John 2:19.)
John 10:14–15, 26 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me— 15 just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My life for the sheep. 26 But you⁺ do not believe, because you⁺ are not of My sheep.
John 6:64–65 64 But there are some of you⁺ who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning who are those not believing and who it is who will betray Him. 65 And He was saying, “Because of this, I have said to you⁺ that no one is able to come to Me unless it shall have been given to him from the Father.”
Rom. 8:28–39 28 And we know that God works together all things for good to those loving God, to those being called according to purpose, 29 because whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to be] conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be firstborn among many brothers. 30 And whom He predestined, these also He called; and whom He called, these also He justified; and whom He justified, these also He glorified. 31 What then will we say to these things? If God [is] for us, who [can be] against us— 32 He who indeed did not spare [His] own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring an accusation against the chosen ones of God? God [is] the One justifying. 34 Who [is] the one condemning? Christ Jesus the One having died, now rather having been raised, [is] He who is also at the right hand of God, and who is interceding for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it has been written: “For Your sake we face death all the day; we were reckoned as sheep of slaughter.” 37 But in all these things we are more than conquerors through the One having loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things about to be, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God that [is] in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 8:47 The one being of God hears the words of God; because of this you⁺ do not hear, because you⁺ are not of God.”
17:9 I ask concerning them. I do not ask concerning the world, but concerning those whom You have given to Me, for they are Yours.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But [it is] so that it might be made manifest that they are not all of us.
Matt. 11:25–26; Rom. 9:17–18, 21–22; Jude 4; 1 Peter 2:8; 2 Tim. 2:19–20.
Matt. 11:25–26 25 In that time, answering, Jesus said, “I acknowledge You, Father, Lord of the heaven and of the earth, because You hid these things from the wise and intelligent, and You revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, because of this it was good pleasure before You.
Rom. 9:17–18, 21–22 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “For this very thing I raised you up, so that I might display My power in you, and that My name should be declared in all the earth.” 18 So then, He has mercy on whom He wants, and He hardens whom He wants. 21 Or does the potter not have authority over the clay to make out of the same lump the one vessel indeed for honor, but the one for dishonor? 22 And [what] if God, desiring to display the wrath and to make known His power, bore with much patience vessels of wrath, having been fitted for destruction,
1 Peter 2:8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” [They] stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.
2 Tim. 2:19–20 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God has stood, having this seal: “The Lord knows those being His,” and, “Let everyone naming the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.” 20 Now in a great house there are not only golden and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthen; and some indeed for honor, but some for dishonor.
Jude 4 on BibleHub ↗
Rom. 9:20; Rom. 11:33; Deut. 29:29.
Rom. 9:20 But rather, O man, who are you answering against God? [Will] the thing formed say to the One having formed [it], “Why did you make me thus?”
Rom. 11:33 O, the depth of riches, both of wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
Deut. 29:29 The things hidden are of YHWH our God, and the things revealed [are] to us and to our sons even to forever, that [we] may do all the words of this law.
2 Peter 1:10; 1 Thess. 1:4–5.
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be diligent, rather, to make your⁺ calling and election sure. For [in] doing these things, never at any time shall you⁺ stumble.
1 Thess. 1:4–5 4 knowing, brothers beloved by God, your⁺ election, 5 because our gospel came to you⁺ not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much full assurance, just as you⁺ know what we were among you⁺ on account of you⁺.
Eph. 1:6. (See Rom. 11:33.)
Eph. 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously gave us in the Beloved One,
Rom. 11:33 O, the depth of riches, both of wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
Rom. 11:5–6, 20; Rom. 8:33; Luke 10:20. (See 2 Peter 1:10.)
Rom. 11:5–6, 20 5 So then also in the present time, there has been a remnant according to the election of grace, 6 and if by grace, no longer out of works; otherwise grace no longer is grace. 20 Rightly so: They were broken off by unbelief, but you have stood by faith. Do not be high-minded, but be afraid.
Rom. 8:33 Who will bring an accusation against the chosen ones of God? God [is] the One justifying.
Luke 10:20 But do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you⁺; but rejoice that your⁺ names have been written in the heavens.”
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be diligent, rather, to make your⁺ calling and election sure. For [in] doing these things, never at any time shall you⁺ stumble.

Parallel passages (6+)

London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling35 shared proof texts · 8 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 6727 shared proof texts · 8 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 3116 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics Canons of Dort · First Head: Rejection of the Errors11 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree10 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 689 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics

Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling

1. All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by his Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation, by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God, taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them a heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and, by his almighty power, determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ: yet so, as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace.

2. This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.

3. Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated, and saved by Christ, through the Spirit, who worketh when, and where, and how he pleaseth: so also are all other elect persons who are uncapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.

4. Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men, not professing the Christian religion, be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the laws of that religion they do profess. And, to assert and maintain that they may, is very pernicious, and to be detested.

Scripture proofs

Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:28, 30; Rom. 11:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; 2 Tim. 1:9–10.
Acts 13:48 And the Gentiles hearing were rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
Rom. 8:28, 30 28 And we know that God works together all things for good to those loving God, to those being called according to purpose, 30 And whom He predestined, these also He called; and whom He called, these also He justified; and whom He justified, these also He glorified.
Rom. 11:7 What then? What Israel seeks after, this it did not obtain, but the elect obtained [it]. And the rest were hardened,
Eph. 1:5, 11 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 11 in Him, in whom also we obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One working all things according to the counsel of His will
2 Tim. 1:9–10 9 the One having saved us and having called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, having been given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, 10 and now having been made manifest through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, having indeed abolished death and having brought to light life and immortality through the gospel,
2 Thess. 2:13–14; James 1:18; 2 Cor. 3:3, 6; 1 Cor. 2:12.
2 Thess. 2:13–14 13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you⁺, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you⁺ from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, 14 to which also He called you⁺ through our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
James 1:18 Having willed [it], He brought us forth by the word of truth, for us to be a certain firstfruits of His creatures.
2 Cor. 3:3, 6 3 being revealed that you⁺ are a letter of Christ, having been ministered to by us, having been inscribed not in ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not in tablets of stone but in tablets of fleshly hearts. 6 who also made us sufficient [as] ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
1 Cor. 2:12 Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who [is] from God, so that we may know the [things] having been graciously given to us by God,
2 Tim. 1:9–10; 1 Peter 2:9; Rom. 8:2; Eph. 2:1–10.
2 Tim. 1:9–10 9 the One having saved us and having called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, having been given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, 10 and now having been made manifest through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, having indeed abolished death and having brought to light life and immortality through the gospel,
1 Peter 2:9 But you⁺ [are] a chosen kindred, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [His] possession, so that you⁺ may proclaim the excellencies of the One having called you⁺ out of darkness into His marvelous light,
Rom. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set you free from the law of sin and death.
Eph. 2:1–10 1 And you⁺, being dead in your⁺ trespasses and sins— 2 in which once you⁺ walked according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom we all also once conducted ourselves in the desires of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of [its] thoughts; and we were by nature children of wrath even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His much love with which He loved us, 5 even us being dead in trespasses, made [us] alive with Christ—by grace you⁺ are saved— 6 and He raised [us] up together and seated [us] together in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages that are coming, He might display the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you⁺ are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Acts 26:18; 1 Cor. 2:10, 12; Eph. 1:17–18; 2 Cor. 4:6.
Acts 26:18 to open their 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 an inheritance among those having been sanctified by faith in Me.’
1 Cor. 2:10, 12 10 For God revealed [it] to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 12 Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who [is] from God, so that we may know the [things] having been graciously given to us by God,
Eph. 1:17–18 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you⁺ a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes your⁺ of heart being enlightened for you⁺ to know what is the hope of His calling, what [are] the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
2 Cor. 4:6 For God [is] the One having said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who shone in our hearts for the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Ezek. 36:26.
Ezek. 36:26 And I will give to you⁺ a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you⁺; and I will take away the heart of stone from your⁺ flesh, and I will give to you⁺ a heart of flesh.
Ezek. 11:19; Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:27; John 3:5; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:23.
Ezek. 11:19 And I will give to them a single heart, and I will give a new spirit within them; and I will turn away the heart of stone from their flesh, and I will give to them a heart of flesh,
Deut. 30:6 And YHWH your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.
Ezek. 36:27 And My Spirit I will put within you⁺, and I will make [it] that you⁺ will walk in My statutes and My ordinances you⁺ will keep and you⁺ will do [them].
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one would be born of water and of the Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.
Titus 3:5 not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,
1 Peter 1:23 having been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, by the word of God, living and abiding,
John 6:44–45; Acts 16:14.
John 6:44–45 44 No one is able to come to Me unless the Father, the One having sent Me, should draw him, and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught of God.’ Everyone having heard from the Father and having learned comes to Me.
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, worshiping God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to attend to the things being spoken by Paul.
Ps. 110:3; John 6:37; Matt. 11:28; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 6:16–18; Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29.
Ps. 110:3 Your people [are] freewill offerings in the day of your might, in the splendors of holiness; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth [is] unto you.
John 6:37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one coming to Me I shall never cast out.
Matt. 11:28 Come to Me, all those toiling and burdened, and I will give you⁺ rest.
Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And the one hearing, let him say, “Come!” And the one thirsting, let him come; the one wanting, let him take the water of life freely.
Rom. 6:16–18 16 Do you⁺ not know that to whom you⁺ present yourselves [as] slaves for obedience, you⁺ are slaves to the one whom you⁺ obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But thanks [be] to God that you⁺ used to be slaves of sin, but you⁺ obeyed from the heart the form of teaching to which you⁺ were delivered up. 18 Now having been set free from sin, you⁺ became slaves to righteousness.
Eph. 2:8 For by grace you⁺ are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God,
Phil. 1:29 For it was granted to you⁺ on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on behalf of Him,
2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 2:8–9; Rom. 9:11.
2 Tim. 1:9 the One having saved us and having called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, having been given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
Eph. 2:8–9 8 For by grace you⁺ are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one may boast.
Rom. 9:11 for they not yet having been born nor having done anything good or evil, so that the purpose of God according to election might stand—
1 Cor. 2:14; Rom. 8:7–9; Titus 3:4–5.
1 Cor. 2:14 But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.
Rom. 8:7–9 7 because the mind of the flesh [is] hostility toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for [it is] not even able. 8 And those being in the flesh are not able to please God. 9 But you⁺ are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you⁺; and if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this one is not of Him.
Titus 3:4–5 4 But when the kindness and the love of mankind of God our Savior appeared, 5 not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,
John 6:37; Ezek. 36:27; 1 John 5:1. (Cf. 1 John 3:9.)
John 6:37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one coming to Me I shall never cast out.
Ezek. 36:27 And My Spirit I will put within you⁺, and I will make [it] that you⁺ will walk in My statutes and My ordinances you⁺ will keep and you⁺ will do [them].
1 John 5:1 Everyone believing that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone loving the One having begotten also loves the one having been born of Him.
1 John 3:9 Everyone having been born of God does not do sin, because His seed remains in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.
Gen. 17:7; Luke 18:15–16; Acts 2:39; John 3:3, 5; 1 John 5:12. (See Luke 1:15.)
Gen. 17:7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and between you and between your seed after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you, and to your seed after you.
Luke 18:15–16 15 And they were bringing the infants also to Him so that He might touch them; but having seen, the disciples were rebuking them. 16 But Jesus summoned them, saying, “Permit the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of the such is the kingdom of God.
Acts 2:39 For the promise is to you⁺ and to your⁺ children and to all those at a distance, as many as the Lord our God shall summon.”
John 3:3, 5 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one would be born from above, he is not able to see the kingdom of God.” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one would be born of water and of the Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.
1 John 5:12 The one having the Son has life; the one not having the Son of God does not have life.
Luke 1:15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he shall never drink wine and strong drink, and he will be full of the Holy Spirit even from the womb of his mother.
John 3:8.
John 3:8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know from where it comes and where it goes. Thus is everyone having been born of the Spirit.”
John 16:7–8; 1 John 5:12; Acts 4:12.
John 16:7–8 7 But I say to you⁺ the truth, it is profitable for you⁺ that I should go away. For unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you⁺; but if I go, I will send Him to you⁺. 8 And having come, He will convict the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment:
1 John 5:12 The one having the Son has life; the one not having the Son of God does not have life.
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no other, for there is not another name under heaven having been given among men by which it is necessary for us to be saved.”
Matt. 13:14–15; Acts 28:24 (cf. Acts 13:48); Matt. 22:14.
Matt. 13:14–15 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, saying: ‘In hearing you⁺ will hear and never understand; and seeing, you⁺ will see and never perceive. 15 For the heart of this people grew dull, and they barely hear with the ears, and they closed their eyes, lest ever they might see with the eyes, and might hear with the ears, and might understand with the heart, and might return, and I will heal them.’
Acts 28:24 And indeed, some were persuaded of the things being said, but some refused to believe.
Acts 13:48 And the Gentiles hearing were rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
Matt. 22:14 For many are called, but few chosen.”
Matt. 13:20–21; Matt. 7:22; Heb. 6:4–5.
Matt. 13:20–21 20 And that having been sown upon the rocky [places], this is the one hearing the word and immediately receiving it with joy. 21 And he has no root in himself, but is temporary. But [on] tribulation or persecution having come because of the word, immediately he is caused to stumble.
Matt. 7:22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and [in] Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many miracles?’
Heb. 6:4–5 4 For [it is] impossible for those once having been enlightened, and having tasted of the heavenly gift, and having become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and having tasted the goodness of God’s word and the power [of] the coming age—
John 6:37, 64–66; John 8:44; John 13:18. (Cf. John 17:12.)
John 6:37, 64–66 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one coming to Me I shall never cast out. 64 But there are some of you⁺ who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning who are those not believing and who it is who will betray Him. 65 And He was saying, “Because of this, I have said to you⁺ that no one is able to come to Me unless it shall have been given to him from the Father.” 66 From this [time] many of His disciples went away to the back and no longer were walking with Him.
John 8:44 You⁺ are of [your] father the devil, and you⁺ want to do the desires of your⁺ father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and he has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he may speak falsehood, he speaks from [his] own, because he is a liar and the father of it.
John 13:18 I speak not about all of you⁺—I know whom I chose—but so that the Scripture may be fulfilled: ‘The one eating My bread lifted up his heel against Me.’
John 17:12 When I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name, which You have given to Me. And I guarded [them], and none of them perished except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Acts 4:12; 1 John 4:2–3; 2 John 9; John 14:6; Eph. 2:12–13; John 4:22; John 17:3; Rom. 10:13–17.
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no other, for there is not another name under heaven having been given among men by which it is necessary for us to be saved.”
1 John 4:2–3 2 In this you⁺ know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ having come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not of God, and this is that of the antichrist, which you⁺ heard that is coming, and now is already in the world.
John 14:6 Jesus says to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father if not through Me.
Eph. 2:12–13 12 that at that time you⁺ were apart from Christ, having been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, not having hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you⁺, the ones once being far off, became near by the blood of Christ.
John 4:22 You⁺ worship what you⁺ do not know; we worship what we know, because salvation is of the Jews.
John 17:3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You sent.
Rom. 10:13–17 13 for, “Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then can they call upon One in whom they did not believe? And how can they believe in One of whom they did not hear? And how can they hear apart from one preaching? 15 And how can they preach unless they can be sent? As it has been written: “How beautiful [are] the feet of those proclaiming good news of good things!” 16 But not all heeded the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith [is] by hearing, and hearing [is] through the word of Christ.
2 John 9 on BibleHub ↗
2 John 9–11; 1 Cor. 16:22; Gal. 1:6–8.
1 Cor. 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. Maranatha!
Gal. 1:6–8 6 I marvel that so quickly you⁺ are deserting from the One having called you⁺ in the grace of Christ to another gospel, 7 which is not another, except there are some who are troubling you⁺ and are wanting to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel out of heaven should preach a gospel to you⁺ contrary to what we preached to you⁺, let him be accursed!
2 John 9 on BibleHub ↗
2 John 10 on BibleHub ↗
2 John 11 on BibleHub ↗

Parallel passages (6+)

London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 13: Of Sanctification20 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 7517 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 9: Of Free Will, and So of Man's Power and Ability14 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 312 shared proof texts Heidelberg Catechism · Question 11410 shared proof texts Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 358 shared proof texts · shared topic

Chapter 13: Of Sanctification

1. They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them: the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified; and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

2. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part; whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.

3. In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail; yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so, the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Scripture proofs

1 Thess. 5:23–24; 2 Thess. 2:13–14; Ezek. 36:22–28; Titus 3:5; Acts 20:32; Phil. 3:10; Rom. 6:5–6.
1 Thess. 5:23–24 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you⁺ completely, and may your⁺ entire spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful [is] the One calling you⁺, who also will do [it].
2 Thess. 2:13–14 13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you⁺, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you⁺ from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, 14 to which also He called you⁺ through our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ezek. 36:22–28 22 Therefore say to the house of Israel, thus says the Lord YHWH: [It is] not for your⁺ sake [that] I am doing [this], O house of Israel, for but the name of My holiness, which you⁺ have profaned among the nations to which you⁺ have gone in there. 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you⁺ have profaned in their midst, and the nations will know that I [am] YHWH, a declaration of the Lord YHWH, in My showing [My] holiness in you⁺ before their eyes. 24 For I will take you⁺ from the nations, and I will gather you⁺ from all of the lands, and I will bring you⁺ into your⁺ own land. 25 And I will sprinkle on you⁺ pure water, and you⁺ will be pure from all your⁺ uncleannesses, and from all your⁺ idols I will purify you⁺. 26 And I will give to you⁺ a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you⁺; and I will take away the heart of stone from your⁺ flesh, and I will give to you⁺ a heart of flesh. 27 And My Spirit I will put within you⁺, and I will make [it] that you⁺ will walk in My statutes and My ordinances you⁺ will keep and you⁺ will do [them]. 28 And you⁺ will dwell in the land that I gave to your⁺ fathers and you⁺ will be unto Me a people, and I will be unto you⁺ God.
Titus 3:5 not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,
Acts 20:32 And now I commit you⁺ to God and to the word of His grace, being able to build [you] up and to give you an inheritance among all those having been sanctified.
Phil. 3:10 to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
Rom. 6:5–6 5 For if we have become united in the likeness of His death, yet also we will be of the resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], so that the body of sin might be nullified, [for] us no longer to be slaves to sin.
John 17:17, 19; Eph. 5:26; Rom. 8:13–14; 2 Thess. 2:13.
John 17:17, 19 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 19 and for them I sanctify Myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.
Eph. 5:26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed [her] by the washing of water in the word,
Rom. 8:13–14 13 For if you⁺ live according to the flesh, you⁺ are about to die; but if by the Spirit you⁺ put to death the deeds of the body, you⁺ will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
2 Thess. 2:13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you⁺, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you⁺ from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,
Rom. 6:6, 14.
Rom. 6:6, 14 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], so that the body of sin might be nullified, [for] us no longer to be slaves to sin. 14 For sin will not rule over you⁺, for you⁺ are not under law, but under grace.
Gal. 5:24; Rom. 8:13.
Gal. 5:24 Now those of Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with the passions and the desires.
Rom. 8:13 For if you⁺ live according to the flesh, you⁺ are about to die; but if by the Spirit you⁺ put to death the deeds of the body, you⁺ will live.
Col. 1:10–11; Eph. 3:16–19.
Col. 1:10–11 10 to walk worthily of the Lord: pleasing in all, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being empowered with all power according to the power of His glory unto all endurance and patience, with joy
Eph. 3:16–19 16 that He might give to you⁺ according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 [for] Christ to dwell in your⁺ hearts through faith, having been rooted and having been founded in love, 18 that you⁺ may be fully able, with all the saints, to comprehend what [is] the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ surpassing knowledge, that you⁺ may be filled to all the fullness of God.
2 Cor. 7:1; Col. 1:28; Col. 4:12; Heb. 12:14.
2 Cor. 7:1 Therefore having these promises, beloved, we should cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Col. 1:28 whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, so that we may present every man perfect in Christ.
Col. 4:12 Epaphras greets you⁺, who [is] of you⁺, a servant of Christ Jesus, always striving for you⁺ in the prayers, so that you⁺ may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Heb. 12:14 Pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord,
1 Thess. 5:23; Rom. 12:1–2.
1 Thess. 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you⁺ completely, and may your⁺ entire spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom. 12:1–2 1 Therefore I exhort you⁺, brothers, through the compassions of God, to present your⁺ bodies [as] a living sacrifice, holy to God, well-pleasing, which is your⁺ reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for you⁺ to discern what [is] the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God.
1 John 1:8–10; Rom. 7:14–25; Phil. 3:12.
1 John 1:8–10 8 If we should say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we should confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, that He may forgive us [our] sins and may cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we should say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
Rom. 7:14–25 14 For we have known that the law is spiritual; but I am fleshly, having been sold as a slave under sin. 15 For what I carry out, I do not understand. For what I want, this I do not practice; but what I hate, this I do. 16 Now if what I do not want, this I do, I assent to the law, that [it is] good. 17 But now I no longer carry it out, but the sin dwelling in me. 18 For I know that there does not dwell in me—that is, in my flesh—good. For to want is present with me, but not to carry out the good. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do; but the evil that I do not want, this I practice. 20 Now if what I do not want, this I do, no longer do I carry it out, but sin dwelling in me. 21 I find, then, the law in my wanting to do good, that evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inner man, 23 but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin being in my members. 24 O wretched man [that] I am! Who will deliver me out of this body of death? 25 But thanks [be] to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself indeed with the mind serve God’s law, but [with] the flesh the law of sin.
Phil. 3:12 Not that I already obtained [it] or already have been perfected, but I pursue, if also I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Gal. 5:17.
Gal. 5:17 For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. For these are opposed to one another so that the [things] you⁺ may want, these things you⁺ may not do.
Rom. 7:23.
Rom. 7:23 but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin being in my members.
Rom. 6:14; 1 John 5:4; Eph. 4:15–16. (See Rom. 8:2.)
Rom. 6:14 For sin will not rule over you⁺, for you⁺ are not under law, but under grace.
1 John 5:4 For everyone having been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory having overcome the world: our faith.
Eph. 4:15–16 15 But speaking the truth in love, we should grow in all things into Him who is the head, Christ, 16 from whom all the body, being fit together and being knit together by every joint of [its] supply, according to the working in the measure of each single part, the increase of the body makes for the building up of itself in love.
Rom. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set you free from the law of sin and death.
2 Peter 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:18.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Cor. 3:18 And we all, having been unveiled in face, reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.
2 Cor. 7:1.
2 Cor. 7:1 Therefore having these promises, beloved, we should cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Parallel passages (6+)

London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints22 shared proof texts · 8 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 7911 shared proof texts · 9 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 19511 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Canons of Dort · Fifth Head: Rejection of the Errors8 shared proof texts · 8 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 18 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 268 shared proof texts · shared topic

Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints

1. They, whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.

2. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ, the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant of grace: from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

3. Nevertheless, they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; and, for a time, continue therein: whereby they incur God's displeasure, and grieve his Holy Spirit, come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.

Scripture proofs

Phil. 1:6; 2 Peter 1:10; Rom. 8:28–30; John 10:28–29; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18; 1 Peter 1:5, 9.
Phil. 1:6 being persuaded of this very thing, that the One having begun a good work in you⁺ will complete [it] until the day of Christ Jesus.
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be diligent, rather, to make your⁺ calling and election sure. For [in] doing these things, never at any time shall you⁺ stumble.
Rom. 8:28–30 28 And we know that God works together all things for good to those loving God, to those being called according to purpose, 29 because whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to be] conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be firstborn among many brothers. 30 And whom He predestined, these also He called; and whom He called, these also He justified; and whom He justified, these also He glorified.
John 10:28–29 28 And I give them eternal life, and never shall they perish to the age, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the hand of the Father.
1 John 3:9 Everyone having been born of God does not do sin, because His seed remains in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.
1 John 5:18 We know that everyone having been born of God does not sin, but the One having been begotten of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.
1 Peter 1:5, 9 5 who [are] being guarded in the power of God through faith for the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 9 receiving the outcome of your⁺ faith, the salvation of [your] souls.
Ps. 89:3–4, 28–33; 2 Tim. 2:18–19; Jer. 31:3.
Ps. 89:3–4, 28–33 3 “I have cut a covenant with My chosen one, I have sworn to David My servant: 4 ‘Even to forever I will establish Your seed, and build up for generation and generation your throne.’” Selah 28 Forever I will keep for him My loving devotion, and My covenant will stand fast for him. 29 And I will establish His seed forever, and his throne like the days of the heavens. 30 If his sons should abandon My instruction, and do not walk in My ordinances, 31 if they violate My statutes, and do not keep My commandments, 32 then I will attend [to] their transgression with the rod, and [to] their iniquity with stripes. 33 And I will not break off My loving devotion from him, and I will not be false in My faithfulness.
2 Tim. 2:18–19 18 who missed the mark concerning the truth, saying the resurrection already to have happened; and they are overturning the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God has stood, having this seal: “The Lord knows those being His,” and, “Let everyone naming the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”
Jer. 31:3 YHWH has appeared to me from afar: “I have loved you [with] an everlasting love; upon thus I have drawn you with loving devotion.
Heb. 10:10, 14; Heb. 13:20–21; Heb. 9:12–15; Rom. 8:33–39; John 17:11, 24; Luke 22:32; Heb. 7:25.
Heb. 10:10, 14 10 in which act of will, we are having been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 14 For by one offering, He has perfected unto perpetuity those being sanctified.
Heb. 13:20–21 20 Now [may] the God of peace, the One having brought up out from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you⁺ in everything good in order to do His will, doing in us that which [is] well pleasing before Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom [be] the glory to the ages of the ages. Amen.
Heb. 9:12–15 12 nor by blood of goats and calves, but through [His] own blood, He entered once for all into the holy [places], having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and of bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the ones having been defiled sanctify [them] for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our conscience from dead works, in order to serve the living God! 15 And because of this, He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, death having taken place for redemption of the transgressions upon the first covenant, those having been called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Rom. 8:33–39 33 Who will bring an accusation against the chosen ones of God? God [is] the One justifying. 34 Who [is] the one condemning? Christ Jesus the One having died, now rather having been raised, [is] He who is also at the right hand of God, and who is interceding for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it has been written: “For Your sake we face death all the day; we were reckoned as sheep of slaughter.” 37 But in all these things we are more than conquerors through the One having loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things about to be, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God that [is] in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 17:11, 24 11 And I am no longer in the world, and they are themselves in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given to Me, so that they may be one as We [are]. 24 Father, [those] whom You have given to Me, I want that they also may be with Me where I am, so that they may behold My glory that You have given to Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
Luke 22:32 But I begged for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Heb. 7:25 wherefore also He is able to save to the uttermost those drawing near to God through Him, always living to intercede for them.
John 14:16–17; 1 John 2:27; 1 John 3:9.
John 14:16–17 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you⁺ another Advocate so that He may be with you⁺ to the age— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world is not able to receive, because it does not see Him, nor does it know [Him]. But you⁺ know Him, for He abides with you⁺ and will be in you⁺.
1 John 2:27 And you⁺, the anointing that you⁺ received from Him remains in you⁺, and you⁺ have no need that anyone should teach you⁺. But as the same anointing teaches you⁺ concerning all things and is true and is not a lie, and just as it taught you⁺, remain in Him.
1 John 3:9 Everyone having been born of God does not do sin, because His seed remains in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.
Jer. 32:40; Ps. 89:34–37. (See Jer. 31:31–34.)
Jer. 32:40 And I will make with them a covenant forever, that I will not turn away from them My doing good, and My fear I will put in their hearts, and that they will not turn aside from Me.
Ps. 89:34–37 34 I will not violate My covenant, and a declaration of My lips I will not change. 35 Once I have sworn by My holiness—I will not lie to David— 36 His seed shall be forever, and his throne like the sun before Me. 37 Like the moon It will be established forever, even [as] the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah
Jer. 31:31–34 31 Behold, the days are coming, a declaration of YHWH, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, in that they broke My covenant, and I was a husband to them, a declaration of YHWH. 33 “For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, a declaration of YHWH: I will give My law in their inward parts, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. 34 And they will teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know YHWH; for all of them will know Me, from the least of them and to the greatest of them, a declaration of YHWH. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
John 6:38–40; John 10:28; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 John 2:19.
John 6:38–40 38 For I have come down from heaven, not so that I may do My will, but the will of the One having sent Me. 39 Now this is the will of the One having sent Me, that all that He has given Me, I should lose none of it, but I will raise it up in the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone beholding the Son and believing in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up in the last day.”
John 10:28 And I give them eternal life, and never shall they perish to the age, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
2 Thess. 3:3 But faithful is the Lord, who will strengthen you⁺ and guard [you] from the evil one.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But [it is] so that it might be made manifest that they are not all of us.
Ex. 32:21; Jonah 1:3, 10; Ps. 51:14; Matt. 26:70, 72, 74.
Ex. 32:21 And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you, that you have brought upon them a great sin?”
Jonah 1:3, 10 3 And Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish, away from the face of YHWH. And he went down [to] Joppa, and found a ship going [to] Tarshish, and he paid its fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish, away from the face of YHWH. 10 And the men feared with great fear, and they said to him: “What [is] this you have done?” For the men knew that he was fleeing away from the face of YHWH, because he had told them.
Ps. 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation; my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.
Matt. 26:70, 72, 74 70 And he denied [it] before all, saying, “I do not know what you say.” 72 And again he denied [it] with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 74 Then he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.
2 Sam. 12:9, 13; Gal. 2:11–14.
2 Sam. 12:9, 13 9 Why have you despised the commandment of YHWH to do evil in His sight? You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and his wife you have taken [to be] your wife, and him have killed with the sword of the sons of Ammon. 13 And David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against YHWH.” And Nathan said to David, “Even YHWH has put away your sin; you shall not die.
Gal. 2:11–14 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed [him] to his face because he was standing condemned. 12 For before certain ones came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles. But when they came, he was drawing back and was separating himself, fearing those of the circumcision. 13 And also the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they are not walking in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before all, “If you, being a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how do you compel the Gentiles to Judaize?”
Num. 20:12; 2 Sam. 11:27; Isa. 64:7, 9.
Num. 20:12 And YHWH said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you⁺ did not believe Me, to show My holiness in the eyes of the sons of Israel, therefore you⁺ shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”
2 Sam. 11:27 And her mourning was over, and David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore to him a son. And the thing that David had done was evil in the eyes of YHWH.
Isa. 64:7, 9 7 And no one is calling on Your name, stirring himself up to take hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us, and delivered us into the hand of our iniquities. 9 Do not be angry, O YHWH, beyond measure, and do not remember [our] iniquity forever! Behold, please, look; we [are] all Your people!
Eph. 4:30.
Eph. 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you⁺ were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ps. 51:8, 10, 12; Rev. 2:4; Matt. 26:75.
Ps. 51:8, 10, 12 8 Make me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. 10 Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me [by a] willing spirit.
Rev. 2:4 But I have against you that you abandoned your first love.
Matt. 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, [He] having said, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And having gone out, he wept bitterly.
Isa. 63:17.
Isa. 63:17 Why do You let us stray O YHWH, from Your ways, [and] harden our hearts from fearing You? Return Your servants for the sake of the tribes of Your inheritance.
Ps. 32:3–4; Ps. 51:8.
Ps. 32:3–4 3 When I remained silent, my bones were worn out by my groaning all the day. 4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my juice was overturned, [as] in the drought of summer. Selah
Ps. 51:8 Make me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
Gen. 12:10–20; 2 Sam. 12:14; Gal. 2:13.
Gen. 12:10–20 10 And there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine [was] severe in the land. 11 And it came to pass when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Behold now, I know that you [are] a woman beautiful in appearance. 12 And it will come to pass when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This [is] his wife.’ And they will kill me, and you they will let live. 13 Say, please, you [are] my sister, so that it may go well with me for your sake, and my soul may live because of you.” 14 And it came to pass, when Abram entered Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she [was] very beautiful. 15 And the princes of Pharaoh saw her, and they commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into the house of Pharaoh. 16 And Abram he treated well for her sake, and he had for himself sheep, and cattle, and male donkeys, and menservants, and maidservants, and female donkeys, and camels. 17 And YHWH plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of the matter [of] Sarai, wife of Abram. 18 And Pharaoh called to Abram and said, “What [is] this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she [was] your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She [is] my sister,’ so that I took her to myself as a wife? And now, behold, your wife; take [her] and go!” 20 And Pharaoh commanded [his] men concerning him, and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
2 Sam. 12:14 Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for [the word] of YHWH by this deed, also the son born to you will surely die.”
Gal. 2:13 And also the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.
Ps. 89:31–32; 1 Cor. 11:32.
Ps. 89:31–32 31 if they violate My statutes, and do not keep My commandments, 32 then I will attend [to] their transgression with the rod, and [to] their iniquity with stripes.
1 Cor. 11:32 But being judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we should not be condemned with the world.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 16619 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 16513 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 7413 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 16712 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 9512 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 3411 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics

Chapter 28: Of Baptism

1. Baptism is a sacrament of the new testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible church; but also, to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life. Which sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in his church until the end of the world.

2. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the gospel, lawfully called thereunto.

3. Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon the person.

4. Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ, but also the infants of one, or both, believing parents, are to be baptized.

5. Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated, or saved, without it; or, that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.

6. The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered; yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited, and conferred, by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God's own will, in his appointed time.

7. The sacrament of baptism is but once to be administered unto any person.

Scripture proofs

Matt. 28:19.
Matt. 28:19 Therefore, having gone, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27–28.
1 Cor. 12:13 For also in one Spirit we all were baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Gal. 3:27–28 27 For as many of you⁺ as were baptized into Christ, you⁺ put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female; for you⁺ are all one in Christ Jesus.
Rom. 4:11; Col. 2:11–12.
Rom. 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith that [he had while] in the uncircumcision, for him to be father of all those believing through uncircumcision, for the righteousness to be reckoned also to them,
Col. 2:11–12 11 in whom also you⁺ were circumcised with the circumcision done without hands in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which also you⁺ were raised with [Him] through the faith from the working of God, the One having raised Him out from the dead.
Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:5.
Gal. 3:27 For as many of you⁺ as were baptized into Christ, you⁺ put on Christ.
Rom. 6:5 For if we have become united in the likeness of His death, yet also we will be of the resurrection,
John 3:5; Titus 3:5.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one would be born of water and of the Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.
Titus 3:5 not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,
Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16.
Mark 1:4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance unto forgiveness of sins.
Acts 2:38 And Peter says to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you⁺, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your⁺ sins, and you⁺ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 22:16 And now, why do you delay? Having arisen, be baptized and wash away your sins, having called on His name.’
Rom. 6:3–4.
Rom. 6:3–4 3 Or are you⁺ ignorant that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life.
Matt. 28:19–20.
Matt. 28:19–20 19 Therefore, having gone, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things, as much as I commanded you⁺. And behold, I am with you⁺ all the days, until the consummation of the age.”
Acts 10:47; Acts 8:36, 38; Matt. 28:19.
Acts 10:47 “Is anyone able to withhold the water to baptize these who have received the Holy Spirit just as we also [have]?”
Acts 8:36, 38 36 And as they were going along the road, they came upon some water, and the eunuch says, “Behold, water! What prevents my being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop. And they both went down to the water—both Philip and the eunuch—and he baptized him.
Matt. 28:19 Therefore, having gone, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Heb. 9:10, 13, 19, 21; Mark 7:2–4; Luke 11:38.
Heb. 9:10, 13, 19, 21 10 [consisting] only in foods and drinks and various washings—ordinances of the flesh being imposed until the time of reformation. 13 For if the blood of goats and of bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the ones having been defiled sanctify [them] for the purification of the flesh, 19 For [on] every commandment having been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, having taken the blood of calves and of goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, he sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people, 21 And likewise he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the sacred service with blood.
Mark 7:2–4 2 And they had seen some of His disciples, that with defiled hands—that is, unwashed—they are eating the loaves. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash the hands to the fist, holding to the tradition of the elders; 4 and [coming] from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they immerse; and there are many other things that they received to hold to—immersions of cups and pitchers and bronze vessels and couches.)
Luke 11:38 But the Pharisee, having seen, marveled that He did not wash first before the dinner.
Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12–13; Acts 16:14–15.
Acts 2:41 Therefore those indeed having received his word were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added.
Acts 8:12–13 12 But when they believed Philip proclaiming the gospel concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 And Simon himself also believed, and having been baptized, he was steadfastly continuing with Philip. And beholding the signs and great miracles being performed, he was amazed.
Acts 16:14–15 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, worshiping God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to attend to the things being spoken by Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her house, she begged, saying, “If you⁺ have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, having entered into my house, abide.” And she persuaded us.
Gen. 17:7–14; Gal. 3:9, 14; Col. 2:11–12; Acts 2:38–39; Rom. 4:11–12; Matt. 19:13; Mark 10:13–16; Luke 18:15–17; Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 7:14.
Gen. 17:7–14 7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and between you and between your seed after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you, and to your seed after you. 8 And I give to you and to your seed after you the land in which you are a sojourner—all the land of Canaan—as an everlasting possession. And I will be their God.” 9 And God said to Abraham, “And as for you, you shall keep My covenant—you and your seed after you, throughout their generations. 10 This [is] My covenant, which you⁺ shall keep between Me, and between you⁺, and between your seed after you: Every male child among you⁺ shall be circumcised. 11 And you⁺ shall be circumcised in the flesh of your⁺ foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and between you⁺. 12 And a son of eight days among you⁺ shall be circumcised—every male child in your⁺ generations who is born in your house or bought with silver from any son of a foreigner who is not of your seed. 13 And he must surely be circumcised—he who is born in your house, or he who is bought with your silver. And My covenant shall be in your⁺ flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, the soul [of] that one shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”
Gal. 3:9, 14 9 So then, those of faith are blessed along with the faithful Abraham. 14 so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Col. 2:11–12 11 in whom also you⁺ were circumcised with the circumcision done without hands in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which also you⁺ were raised with [Him] through the faith from the working of God, the One having raised Him out from the dead.
Acts 2:38–39 38 And Peter says to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you⁺, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your⁺ sins, and you⁺ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you⁺ and to your⁺ children and to all those at a distance, as many as the Lord our God shall summon.”
Rom. 4:11–12 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith that [he had while] in the uncircumcision, for him to be father of all those believing through uncircumcision, for the righteousness to be reckoned also to them, 12 and father of circumcision to those not only of circumcision, but also to those walking in the footsteps of the faith of our father Abraham in uncircumcision.
Matt. 19:13 Then little children were brought to Him so that He might lay the hands on them and He might pray, but the disciples rebuked them.
Mark 10:13–16 13 And they were bringing little children to Him so that He might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 And having seen, Jesus was indignant and said to them, “Permit the little children to come to Me; do not forbid them! For of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Truly I say to you⁺, whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall never enter into it.” 16 And having taken [them] in [His] arms, He was blessing them, having laid the hands on them.
Luke 18:15–17 15 And they were bringing the infants also to Him so that He might touch them; but having seen, the disciples were rebuking them. 16 But Jesus summoned them, saying, “Permit the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of the such is the kingdom of God. 17 Truly I say to you⁺, whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall never enter into it.”
Matt. 28:19 Therefore, having gone, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
1 Cor. 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother. Otherwise, then your⁺ children are unclean; but now they are holy.
Gen. 17:14; Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38. (See Luke 7:30.)
Gen. 17:14 And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, the soul [of] that one shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”
Matt. 28:19 Therefore, having gone, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Acts 2:38 And Peter says to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you⁺, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your⁺ sins, and you⁺ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers set aside the counsel of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.
Rom. 4:11; Acts 10:2, 4, 22, 31, 45, 47.
Rom. 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith that [he had while] in the uncircumcision, for him to be father of all those believing through uncircumcision, for the righteousness to be reckoned also to them,
Acts 10:2, 4, 22, 31, 45, 47 2 devout and fearing God with all his household, doing many alms to the people and praying to God through all. 4 And having looked intently at him, and having become afraid, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a man righteous and fearing God—and being well testified to by all the nation of the Jews—was divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to his house and to hear a message from you.” 31 and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer was heard, and your alms have been remembered before God. 45 And the believers from the circumcision, as many as had come with Peter, were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit has been poured out even on the Gentiles. 47 “Is anyone able to withhold the water to baptize these who have received the Holy Spirit just as we also [have]?”
Acts 8:13, 23.
Acts 8:13, 23 13 And Simon himself also believed, and having been baptized, he was steadfastly continuing with Philip. And beholding the signs and great miracles being performed, he was amazed. 23 For I see you being in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity.”
John 3:5, 8.
John 3:5, 8 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one would be born of water and of the Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God. 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know from where it comes and where it goes. Thus is everyone having been born of the Spirit.”
Rom. 6:3–6; Gal. 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38, 41.
Rom. 6:3–6 3 Or are you⁺ ignorant that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united in the likeness of His death, yet also we will be of the resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], so that the body of sin might be nullified, [for] us no longer to be slaves to sin.
Gal. 3:27 For as many of you⁺ as were baptized into Christ, you⁺ put on Christ.
1 Peter 3:21 which also corresponds to the baptism now saving you⁺, not a putting away of the filth of flesh, but the demand of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Acts 2:38, 41 38 And Peter says to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you⁺, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your⁺ sins, and you⁺ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 41 Therefore those indeed having received his word were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added.
Rom. 6:3–11.
Rom. 6:3–11 3 Or are you⁺ ignorant that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united in the likeness of His death, yet also we will be of the resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], so that the body of sin might be nullified, [for] us no longer to be slaves to sin. 7 For the one having died has been justified from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised out from the dead, dies no more; death no longer rules over Him. 10 For that which He died, He died to sin once for all; but that which He lives, He lives to God. 11 So also you⁺, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but living to God in Christ Jesus.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 30

Q. 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.

Scripture proofs

Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 2:12–16; Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29.
Rom. 10:17 So faith [is] by hearing, and hearing [is] through the word of Christ.
1 Cor. 2:12–16 12 Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who [is] from God, so that we may know the [things] having been graciously given to us by God, 13 which also we speak, not in words taught of human wisdom, but in [those] taught of the Spirit, expressing spiritual things by spiritual [means]. 14 But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But the spiritual [man] judges all things, but he himself is judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Eph. 2:8 For by grace you⁺ are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God,
Phil. 1:29 For it was granted to you⁺ on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on behalf of Him,
John 15:5; 1 Cor. 1:9; Eph. 3:17.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you⁺ [are] the branches. The one remaining in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit. For apart from Me you⁺ are able to do nothing.
1 Cor. 1:9 Faithful [is] God, by whom you⁺ were called into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Eph. 3:17 [for] Christ to dwell in your⁺ hearts through faith, having been rooted and having been founded in love,

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 597 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 655 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling5 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture4 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 16: Of Faith and Good Works: Of Their Reward and of Man's Merit3 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 663 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 31

Q. 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.

Scripture proofs

Acts 26:18; 1 Cor. 2:10, 12; 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 1:17–18.
Acts 26:18 to open their 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 an inheritance among those having been sanctified by faith in Me.’
1 Cor. 2:10, 12 10 For God revealed [it] to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 12 Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who [is] from God, so that we may know the [things] having been graciously given to us by God,
2 Cor. 4:6 For God [is] the One having said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who shone in our hearts for the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Eph. 1:17–18 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you⁺ a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes your⁺ of heart being enlightened for you⁺ to know what is the hope of His calling, what [are] the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:26–27; John 3:5; Titus 3:5.
Deut. 30:6 And YHWH your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.
Ezek. 36:26–27 26 And I will give to you⁺ a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you⁺; and I will take away the heart of stone from your⁺ flesh, and I will give to you⁺ a heart of flesh. 27 And My Spirit I will put within you⁺, and I will make [it] that you⁺ will walk in My statutes and My ordinances you⁺ will keep and you⁺ will do [them].
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one would be born of water and of the Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.
Titus 3:5 not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,
John 6:44–45; Acts 16:14.
John 6:44–45 44 No one is able to come to Me unless the Father, the One having sent Me, should draw him, and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught of God.’ Everyone having heard from the Father and having learned comes to Me.
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, worshiping God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to attend to the things being spoken by Paul.
Isa. 45:22; Matt. 11:28–30; Rev. 22:17.
Isa. 45:22 Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I [am] God, and there is no other.
Matt. 11:28–30 28 Come to Me, all those toiling and burdened, and I will give you⁺ rest. 29 Take up My yoke upon you⁺ and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble [in] heart, and you⁺ will find rest [for] your⁺ souls. 30 For My yoke [is] easy and My burden is light.”
Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And the one hearing, let him say, “Come!” And the one thirsting, let him come; the one wanting, let him take the water of life freely.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 6719 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling16 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling9 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture5 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 7: Of God's Covenant with Man5 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 7: Of God's Covenant4 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 32

Q. 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.

Scripture proofs

Rom. 8:30; 1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Cor. 6:11; Eph. 1:5.
Rom. 8:30 And whom He predestined, these also He called; and whom He called, these also He justified; and whom He justified, these also He glorified.
1 Cor. 1:30 But out of Him you⁺ are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
1 Cor. 6:11 And some [of] you⁺ were these. But you⁺ were washed, but you⁺ were sanctified, but you⁺ were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Eph. 1:5 having predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 694 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree2 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree2 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 772 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Canons of Dort · First Head, Article 7: Election2 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator2 shared proof texts · shared topic

Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 303 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 17: Of the Catholic and Holy Church of God, and of the One Only Head of the Church3 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 763 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling2 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Canons of Dort · First Head: Rejection of the Errors2 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 11: Of Justification2 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics

Question 66

Q. What is that union which the elect have with Christ?

A. The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God's grace, whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband; which is done in their effectual calling.

Scripture proofs

Eph. 2:6–7.
Eph. 2:6–7 6 and He raised [us] up together and seated [us] together in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages that are coming, He might display the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Eph. 1:22; 1 Cor. 6:17; John 10:28; Eph. 5:23, 30; John 15:5; Eph. 3:17.
Eph. 1:22 And He subjected all things under His feet and gave Him [to be] head over all things to the church,
1 Cor. 6:17 But the one being joined to the Lord is one spirit.
John 10:28 And I give them eternal life, and never shall they perish to the age, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
Eph. 5:23, 30 23 for the husband is head of the wife as also Christ [is] the head of the church, He Himself Savior of the body. 30 For we are members of His body.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you⁺ [are] the branches. The one remaining in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit. For apart from Me you⁺ are able to do nothing.
Eph. 3:17 [for] Christ to dwell in your⁺ hearts through faith, having been rooted and having been founded in love,
1 Peter 5:10; 1 Cor. 1:9.
1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, the One having called you⁺ to His eternal glory in Christ, having suffered a little while, He Himself will complete, will confirm, will strengthen, [and] will establish [you].
1 Cor. 1:9 Faithful [is] God, by whom you⁺ were called into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling27 shared proof texts · 8 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 3119 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling18 shared proof texts · 8 shared topics Canons of Dort · First Head: Rejection of the Errors7 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 9: Of Free Will6 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 11: Of Justification6 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics

Question 67

Q. What is effectual calling?

A. Effectual calling is the work of God's almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto) he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his Word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills, 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.

Scripture proofs

Ezek. 37:9, 14; John 5:25; Eph. 1:18–20; 2 Tim. 1:8–9.
Ezek. 37:9, 14 9 And He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, thus says the Lord YHWH: From the four winds come, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 14 And I will put My Spirit in you⁺, and you⁺ will live; and I will settle you⁺ in your⁺ own land. And you⁺ will know that I, YHWH, have spoken, and I have done [it], a declaration of YHWH.’”
John 5:25 Truly, truly, I say to you⁺ that an hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those having heard will live.
Eph. 1:18–20 18 the eyes your⁺ of heart being enlightened for you⁺ to know what is the hope of His calling, what [are] the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what [is] the surpassing greatness of His power to us, those believing, according to the working of the power of His strength, 20 which He worked in Christ, having raised Him out from the dead, and having seated [Him] at His right hand in the heavenly realms,
2 Tim. 1:8–9 8 Therefore you should not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, His prisoner; but suffer together for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 the One having saved us and having called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, having been given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
Titus 3:4–5; Eph. 2:4–5, 7–9; Rom. 9:11; Deut. 9:5.
Titus 3:4–5 4 But when the kindness and the love of mankind of God our Savior appeared, 5 not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,
Eph. 2:4–5, 7–9 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His much love with which He loved us, 5 even us being dead in trespasses, made [us] alive with Christ—by grace you⁺ are saved— 7 so that in the ages that are coming, He might display the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you⁺ are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one may boast.
Rom. 9:11 for they not yet having been born nor having done anything good or evil, so that the purpose of God according to election might stand—
Deut. 9:5 Not in your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but for the wickedness of these nations YHWH your God is driving them out from before you, so that He may fulfill the word that YHWH swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
John 3:5; Titus 3:5; 2 Cor. 5:20; 2 Cor. 6:1–2; John 6:44–45; Acts 16:14; 2 Thess. 2:13–14.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one would be born of water and of the Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.
Titus 3:5 not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,
2 Cor. 5:20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God is appealing through us. We implore on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
2 Cor. 6:1–2 1 And working together, we also exhort you⁺ not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: “In the acceptable time I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now [is] the favorable time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.
John 6:44–45 44 No one is able to come to Me unless the Father, the One having sent Me, should draw him, and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught of God.’ Everyone having heard from the Father and having learned comes to Me.
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, worshiping God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to attend to the things being spoken by Paul.
2 Thess. 2:13–14 13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you⁺, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you⁺ from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, 14 to which also He called you⁺ through our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 26:18; 1 Cor. 2:10, 12; 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 1:17–18.
Acts 26:18 to open their 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 an inheritance among those having been sanctified by faith in Me.’
1 Cor. 2:10, 12 10 For God revealed [it] to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 12 Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who [is] from God, so that we may know the [things] having been graciously given to us by God,
2 Cor. 4:6 For God [is] the One having said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who shone in our hearts for the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Eph. 1:17–18 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you⁺ a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes your⁺ of heart being enlightened for you⁺ to know what is the hope of His calling, what [are] the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Ezek. 11:19; Ezek. 36:26–27; John 6:45.
Ezek. 11:19 And I will give to them a single heart, and I will give a new spirit within them; and I will turn away the heart of stone from their flesh, and I will give to them a heart of flesh,
Ezek. 36:26–27 26 And I will give to you⁺ a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you⁺; and I will take away the heart of stone from your⁺ flesh, and I will give to you⁺ a heart of flesh. 27 And My Spirit I will put within you⁺, and I will make [it] that you⁺ will walk in My statutes and My ordinances you⁺ will keep and you⁺ will do [them].
John 6:45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught of God.’ Everyone having heard from the Father and having learned comes to Me.
Eph. 2:5; Phil. 2:13; Deut. 30:6; Isa. 45:22; Matt. 11:28–30; Rev. 22:17.
Eph. 2:5 even us being dead in trespasses, made [us] alive with Christ—by grace you⁺ are saved—
Phil. 2:13 For God is the One working in you⁺ both to will and to work on behalf of [His] good pleasure.
Deut. 30:6 And YHWH your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.
Isa. 45:22 Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I [am] God, and there is no other.
Matt. 11:28–30 28 Come to Me, all those toiling and burdened, and I will give you⁺ rest. 29 Take up My yoke upon you⁺ and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble [in] heart, and you⁺ will find rest [for] your⁺ souls. 30 For My yoke [is] easy and My burden is light.”
Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And the one hearing, let him say, “Come!” And the one thirsting, let him come; the one wanting, let him take the water of life freely.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling9 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling6 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree3 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 5: Of Providence3 shared proof texts Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 14: Of Repentance, and the Conversion of Man2 shared proof texts · shared topic London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 5: Of Divine Providence2 shared proof texts · shared topic

Question 68

Q. Are the elect only effectually called?

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

Scripture proofs

Acts 13:48.
Acts 13:48 And the Gentiles hearing were rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
Matt. 22:14; Acts 8:13, 20–21.
Matt. 22:14 For many are called, but few chosen.”
Acts 8:13, 20–21 13 And Simon himself also believed, and having been baptized, he was steadfastly continuing with Philip. And beholding the signs and great miracles being performed, he was amazed. 20 But Peter said to him, “Your silver with you, may it be to destruction, because you thought the gift of God was to be obtained by money! 21 To you there is no part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
Matt. 7:22; Matt. 13:20–21; Heb. 6:4–6.
Matt. 7:22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and [in] Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many miracles?’
Matt. 13:20–21 20 And that having been sown upon the rocky [places], this is the one hearing the word and immediately receiving it with joy. 21 And he has no root in himself, but is temporary. But [on] tribulation or persecution having come because of the word, immediately he is caused to stumble.
Heb. 6:4–6 4 For [it is] impossible for those once having been enlightened, and having tasted of the heavenly gift, and having become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and having tasted the goodness of God’s word and the power [of] the coming age— 6 and then having fallen away—to restore [them] again to repentance, crucifying in themselves the Son of God and subjecting [Him] to open shame.
John 12:38–40; Acts 28:25–27; John 6:64–65; Ps. 81:11–12; Heb. 10:29; 1 John 2:19.
John 12:38–40 38 so that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled that said: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom was the arm of the Lord revealed?” 39 Because of this, they were not able to believe, because again Isaiah said: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not see with the eyes, and understand with the heart, and turn, and I will heal them.”
Acts 28:25–27 25 And being discordant with one another they began to leave, Paul having said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly by the prophet Isaiah to your⁺ fathers, 26 saying: ‘Go to this people and say, “In hearing you⁺ will hear and never understand; and in seeing you⁺ will see and never perceive.” 27 For the heart of this people grew dull, and with the ears they barely hear, and they have closed their eyes, lest ever they should see with the eyes, and should hear with the ears, and should understand with the heart, and should turn, and I will heal them.’
John 6:64–65 64 But there are some of you⁺ who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning who are those not believing and who it is who will betray Him. 65 And He was saying, “Because of this, I have said to you⁺ that no one is able to come to Me unless it shall have been given to him from the Father.”
Ps. 81:11–12 11 My people would not listen to My voice, and Israel has not consented to Me. 12 And I sent them away in the stubbornness of their hearts, to walk by their own counsels.
Heb. 10:29 How much worse punishment do you⁺ think he will be worthy of, the one having trampled upon the Son of God, and having deemed common the blood of the covenant in which he was sanctified, and having insulted the Spirit of grace?
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But [it is] so that it might be made manifest that they are not all of us.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God21 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience10 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 9: Of Free Will7 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 16: Of Good Works6 shared proof texts London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 21: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience5 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 13: Of Sanctification5 shared proof texts · shared topic

Question 97

Q. What special use is there of the moral law to the regenerate?

A. Although they that are regenerate, and believe in Christ, be delivered from the moral law as a covenant of works, so as thereby they are neither justified nor condemned; yet, besides the general uses thereof common to them with all men, it is of special use, to show them how much they are bound to Christ for his fulfilling it, and enduring the curse thereof in their stead, and for their good; and thereby to provoke them to more thankfulness, and to express the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience.

Scripture proofs

Rom. 6:14; Rom. 7:4, 6; Gal. 4:4–5; Col. 2:13–14.
Rom. 6:14 For sin will not rule over you⁺, for you⁺ are not under law, but under grace.
Rom. 7:4, 6 4 Likewise, my brothers, you⁺ also have been put to death to the law through the body of Christ, for you⁺ to become unto another, unto the One having been raised out from the dead, so that we should bear fruit to God. 6 But now we have been released from the law, having died to that by which we were held, so as for us to serve in the newness of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Gal. 4:4–5 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, having been born of a woman, having been born under the law, 5 that He might redeem those under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Col. 2:13–14 13 And you⁺ being dead in the trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your⁺ flesh, He made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all the trespasses, 14 having blotted out the handwriting in the decrees against us, which was adverse to us. And He has taken it out of the midst, having nailed it to the cross.
Rom. 3:20.
Rom. 3:20 Therefore by works of the law, not any flesh will be justified before Him; for through the law [is] knowledge of sin.
Gal. 5:23; Rom. 8:1.
Gal. 5:23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Rom. 8:1 Therefore [there is] now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus.
Rom. 7:24–25; Gal. 3:13–14; Rom. 8:3–4; Acts 13:38–39.
Rom. 7:24–25 24 O wretched man [that] I am! Who will deliver me out of this body of death? 25 But thanks [be] to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself indeed with the mind serve God’s law, but [with] the flesh the law of sin.
Gal. 3:13–14 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us—for it has been written: “Cursed [is] everyone hanging on a tree,” 14 so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Rom. 8:3–4 3 For what the law [was] incapable of in that it was weak through the flesh, God, having sent His Son in the likeness of flesh of sin and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, those not walking according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Acts 13:38–39 38 Therefore be it known to you⁺, men, brothers, that through this One forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you⁺. 39 And in Him everyone believing is justified from all things from which you⁺ were not able to be justified in the law of Moses.
Luke 1:68–69, 74–75; Col. 1:12–14; Rom. 6:14.
Luke 1:68–69, 74–75 68 “Blessed [be] the Lord, the God of Israel, because He visited and performed redemption for His people, 69 and He raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, 74 having been saved from the hand of [our] enemies, to serve Him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
Col. 1:12–14 12 giving thanks to the Father, the One having qualified you⁺ for the share of the inheritance of the saints in the light, 13 who delivered us from the authority of darkness and transferred [us] into the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Rom. 6:14 For sin will not rule over you⁺, for you⁺ are not under law, but under grace.
Deut. 30:19–20; Rom. 7:22; Rom. 12:2; Titus 2:11–14; James 1:25.
Deut. 30:19–20 19 I call as witnesses against you⁺ today the heavens and the earth [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, that you may live—you and your seed, 20 [and] that you may love YHWH your God, to listen to His voice, and to cleave to Him. For He [is] your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land that YHWH swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them.”
Rom. 7:22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inner man,
Rom. 12:2 And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for you⁺ to discern what [is] the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God.
Titus 2:11–14 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us that having denied ungodliness and worldly passions, we should live sound-mindedly and righteously and godlily in the present age, 13 awaiting the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness and might purify to Himself a people specially His, zealous for good works.
James 1:25 But the one having looked intently into the perfect law, that of freedom, and having continued in [it], not having been a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work—this one will be blessed in his doing.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 28: Of Baptism13 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 9412 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 29: Of Baptism7 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 27: Of the Sacraments6 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 735 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 25: Of the Church5 shared proof texts · shared topic

Question 165

Q. What is baptism?

A. Baptism is a sacrament of the new testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself, of remission of sins by his blood, and regeneration by his Spirit; of adoption, and resurrection unto everlasting life; and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church, and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord's.

Scripture proofs

Matt. 28:19.
Matt. 28:19 Therefore, having gone, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3.
Gal. 3:27 For as many of you⁺ as were baptized into Christ, you⁺ put on Christ.
Rom. 6:3 Or are you⁺ ignorant that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Mark 1:4; Rev. 1:5; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21.
Mark 1:4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance unto forgiveness of sins.
Rev. 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To the One loving us and releasing us from our sins in His blood—
Acts 2:38 And Peter says to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you⁺, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your⁺ sins, and you⁺ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 22:16 And now, why do you delay? Having arisen, be baptized and wash away your sins, having called on His name.’
1 Peter 3:21 which also corresponds to the baptism now saving you⁺, not a putting away of the filth of flesh, but the demand of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Titus 3:5; Eph. 5:26. (See Acts 2:38.)
Titus 3:5 not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,
Eph. 5:26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed [her] by the washing of water in the word,
Acts 2:38 And Peter says to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you⁺, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your⁺ sins, and you⁺ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Gal. 3:26–27.
Gal. 3:26–27 26 For you⁺ are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you⁺ as were baptized into Christ, you⁺ put on Christ.
1 Cor. 15:29; Rom. 6:5.
1 Cor. 15:29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are they also baptized for them?
Rom. 6:5 For if we have become united in the likeness of His death, yet also we will be of the resurrection,
1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:41.
1 Cor. 12:13 For also in one Spirit we all were baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Acts 2:41 Therefore those indeed having received his word were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added.
Rom. 6:4. (See Acts 2:38–42.)
Rom. 6:4 We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life.
Acts 2:38–42 38 And Peter says to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you⁺, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your⁺ sins, and you⁺ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you⁺ and to your⁺ children and to all those at a distance, as many as the Lord our God shall summon.” 40 And he earnestly testified many other words and was exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this crooked generation.” 41 Therefore those indeed having received his word were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added. 42 Now they were steadfastly continuing in the teaching of the apostles and in the fellowship, in the breaking of the bread and in the prayers.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith9 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 28: Of Baptism7 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 29: Of the Lord's Supper7 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 30: Of the Lord's Supper7 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 27: Of the Sacraments6 shared proof texts · shared topic Heidelberg Catechism · Question 826 shared proof texts · shared topic

Question 177

Q. Wherein do the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper differ?

A. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper differ, in that baptism is to be administered but once, with water, to be a sign and seal of our regeneration and ingrafting into Christ, and that even to infants; whereas the Lord's Supper is to be administered often, in the elements of bread and wine, to represent and exhibit Christ as spiritual nourishment to the soul, and to confirm our continuance and growth in him, and that only to such as are of years and ability to examine themselves.

Scripture proofs

Matt. 3:11; Titus 3:5; Gal. 3:27.
Matt. 3:11 I indeed baptize you⁺ in water unto repentance, but the One coming after me is mightier than I, of whom I am not sufficient to carry the sandals. He will baptize you⁺ in the Holy Spirit and fire,
Titus 3:5 not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,
Gal. 3:27 For as many of you⁺ as were baptized into Christ, you⁺ put on Christ.
Gen. 17:7, 9; Acts 2:38–39; 1 Cor. 7:14.
Gen. 17:7, 9 7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and between you and between your seed after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you, and to your seed after you. 9 And God said to Abraham, “And as for you, you shall keep My covenant—you and your seed after you, throughout their generations.
Acts 2:38–39 38 And Peter says to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you⁺, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your⁺ sins, and you⁺ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you⁺ and to your⁺ children and to all those at a distance, as many as the Lord our God shall summon.”
1 Cor. 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother. Otherwise, then your⁺ children are unclean; but now they are holy.
1 Cor. 11:23–26.
1 Cor. 11:23–26 23 For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you⁺, that the Lord Jesus, in the night in which He was delivered up, took bread, 24 and having given thanks, He broke [it] and said, “This is My body, which [is] for you⁺; do this to the remembrance of Me.” 25 Likewise also the cup after having supped, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you⁺ may drink [it], to the remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you⁺ may eat this bread and may drink the cup, you⁺ proclaim the death of the Lord until He should come.
1 Cor. 10:16.
1 Cor. 10:16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is [it] not a fellowship of the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is [it] not a fellowship of the body of Christ?
1 Cor. 11:28–29.
1 Cor. 11:28–29 28 But let a man examine himself, and thus let him eat of the bread, and let him drink of the cup. 29 For the one eating and drinking, not discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.

Parallel passages (6+)

Scots Confession

Chapter III: Of Original Sin

By which transgression, commonly called original sin, was the image of God utterly defaced in man. And he and his posterity of nature became enemies to God, slaves to Satan, and servants to sin (Eph. 2; Rom. 5), that death everlasting has had, and insofar will have, power and domination over all that have not been, are not, or will not be regenerated from above (John 3). Which regeneration is wrought by the power of the Holy Ghost (Rom. 5–6) working in the hearts of the elect of God, an assured faith in the promises of God revealed to us in His Word, by which faith they apprehend Christ Jesus with the graces and benefits promised in Him.

Scripture proofs

Eph. 2; Rom. 5
Ephesians 2 on BibleHub ↗
Romans 5 on BibleHub ↗
John 3
John 3 on BibleHub ↗
Rom. 5–6
Romans 5 on BibleHub ↗
Romans 6 on BibleHub ↗

Parallel passages (6+)

Canons of Dort · Third and Fourth Head: Rejection of the Errors9 shared topics Canons of Dort · Third and Fourth Head, Article 3: Total Inability8 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 9: Of Free Will, and So of Man's Power and Ability8 shared topics Canons of Dort · Fifth Head: Rejection of the Errors7 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 677 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 20: Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace Thereof7 shared topics

Scots Confession

Chapter XII: Faith in the Holy Ghost

This our faith and the assurance of the same proceeds not from flesh and blood (Matt. 16), that is to say, from no natural powers within us, but is the inspiration of the Holy Ghost (John 14–16), whom we confess God equal with the Father and with the Son, who sanctifies us and brings us in all verity by His own operation, without whom we should remain forever enemies to God and ignorant of His Son, Christ Jesus. For by nature we are so dead, so blind, and so perverse that neither can we feel when we are pricked, see the light when it shines, nor assent to the will of God when it is revealed, unless the Spirit of the Lord Jesus quicken that which is dead, remove the darkness from our minds, and bow our stubborn hearts to the obedience of His blessed will. And so as we confess that God the Father created us when we were not; as His Son our Lord Jesus redeemed us when we were enemies to Him (Rom. 5); so also do we confess that the Holy Ghost does sanctify and regenerate us without all respect of any merit proceeding from us, be it before or be it after our regeneration. To speak this one thing, yet in more plain words, as we willingly spoil our selves of all honor and glory of our own creation and redemption, so do we also of our regeneration and sanctification, for of our selves we are not sufficient to think any good thought (2 Cor. 7). But He who has begun the good work in us is only He that continues us in the same to the praise and glory of His undeserved grace.

Scripture proofs

Matt. 16
Matthew 16 on BibleHub ↗
John 14–16
John 14 on BibleHub ↗
John 15 on BibleHub ↗
John 16 on BibleHub ↗
Rom. 5
Romans 5 on BibleHub ↗
2 Cor. 7
2 Corinthians 7 on BibleHub ↗

Parallel passages (6+)

Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 16: Of Faith and Good Works: Of Their Reward and of Man's Merit8 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree8 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree8 shared topics Canons of Dort · Third and Fourth Head, Article 12: Regeneration a Supernatural Work7 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 11: Of Jesus Christ, Being True God and Man, and the Only Savior of the World7 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator7 shared topics

Second Helvetic Confession

Chapter 9: Of Free Will, and So of Man's Power and Ability

We teach in this matter, which at all times has been the cause of many conflicts in the church, that there is a triple condition or estate of man to be considered. First, what man was before his fall; to wit, upright and free, who might both continue in goodness and decline to evil; but he declined to evil and has wrapped both himself and all mankind in sin and death, as has been shown before. Secondly, we are to consider what man was after his fall. His understanding indeed was not taken from him, neither was he deprived of will and altogether changed into a stone or stock. Nevertheless, these things are so altered in man that they are not able to do that now which they could do before his fall. For his understanding is darkened, and his will, which before was free, is now become a servile will; for it serves sin, not nilling, but willing; for it is called a will, and not a nill.

Therefore, as touching evil or sin, man does evil, not compelled either by God or the devil, but of his own accord; and in this respect he has a most free will: but whereas we see that oftentimes the most evil deeds and counsels of man are hindered by God, that they cannot attain to their end, this does not take from man liberty in evil, but God by His power prevents that which man otherwise purposed freely: as Joseph's brethren did freely purpose to slay Joseph; but they were not able to do it because it seemed otherwise good to God in His secret counsel.

But as touching goodness and virtues, man's understanding does not of itself judge aright of heavenly things. For the evangelical and apostolic Scripture requires regeneration of every one of us that will be saved. Wherefore our first birth by Adam profits nothing to salvation. Paul says, "The natural man perceiveth not the things which are of the Spirit" (1 Cor. 2:14). The same Paul elsewhere denies that we are "fit of ourselves, to think any good" (2 Cor. 3:5). Now it is evident that the mind or understanding is the guide of the will; and seeing the guide is blind, it is easy to be seen how far the will can reach. Therefore, man, not as yet regenerate, has no free will to good, no strength to perform that which is good. The Lord says in the gospel, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, that every one that commits sin, is the servant of sin" (John 8:34). And Paul the apostle says, "The wisdom of the flesh is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7). Furthermore, there is some understanding of earthly things remaining in man after his fall.

For God has of mercy left him wit, though much differing from that which was in him before his fall; God commands us to cultivate our wit, and therewithal He gives gifts and also the increase thereof. And it is a clear case that we can profit very little in all arts without the blessing of God. The Scripture, doubtless, refers all arts to God: yes and the Ethnicks also did ascribe the beginnings of arts to the gods, as to the authors thereof.

Lastly, we are to consider whether the regenerate have free will and how far forth they have it. In regeneration, the understanding is illuminated by the Holy Ghost that it may understand both the mysteries and will of God. And the will itself is not only changed by the Spirit, but is also endued with faculties, that, of its own accord, it may both will and do good (Rom. 8:4–6). Unless we grant this, we shall deny Christian liberty and bring in the bondage of the Law. Besides, the prophet brings in God speaking thus: "I will put My laws in their minds, and write them in their hearts" (Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 36:27). The Lord also says in the gospel, "If the Son make you free, then are you free indeed" (John 8:36). Paul also to the Philippians: "Unto you it is given, for Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (1:29). And again, "I am persuaded that He that began this good work in you will perform it until the day of the Lord Jesus" (v. 6). Also, "It is God that worketh in you the will and the deed" (Phil. 2:13).

Where, nevertheless, we teach that there are two things to be observed: first, that the regenerate, in the choice and working of that which is good, do not only work passively, but actively. For they are moved of God, that themselves may do that which they do. And Augustine truly alleges that saying that "God is said to be our helper: but no man can be helped, but he that does somewhat." The Manichees robbed man of all action and made him like a stone and a block.

Secondly, that in the regenerate there remains infirmity. For seeing that sin dwells in us and that the flesh in the regenerate strives against the spirit, even to the end of our lives, they do not readily perform in every point that which they had purposed. These things are confirmed by the apostle (Rom. 7:13–25; Gal. 5:17). Therefore, our free will is weak by reason of the relics of the old Adam remaining in us so long as we live, and of the human corruption which so nearly cleaves to us. In the meantime, because the strength of the flesh and relics of the old man are not of such great force that they can wholly quench the work of the Spirit, therefore, the faithful are called free; yet so that they acknowledge their infirmity and glory not at all in their free will. For that which St. Augustine repeats so often out of the apostle ought always to be kept in mind by the faithful: "What hast thou, that thou hast not received? and if thou hast received it, why dost thou boast, as though thou hadst not received it?" (1 Cor. 4:7). Hitherto may be added that that comes not straightway to pass which we have purposed: for the events of things are in the hand of God. For which cause, Paul besought the Lord that He would prosper his journey (Rom. 1:10). Wherefore, in this respect also, free will is very weak.

But in outward things, no man denies but that both the regenerate and unregenerate have their free will. For man has this constitution common with other creatures (to whom he is not inferior) to will some things and to nill other things. So he may speak or keep silence; go out of his house or abide within. Although herein also God's power is evermore to be marked which brought to pass that Balaam could not go as far as he would (Num. 24:13) and that Zacharias, coming out of the Temple, could not speak as he would have done (Luke 1:22).

In this matter we condemn the Manichees, who deny that the beginning of evil unto man, being good, came from his free will. We condemn also the Pelagians who affirm that an evil man has free will sufficiently to perform a good precept. Both these are confuted by the Scripture, which says to the former, "God made man upright" (Eccl. 7:29) and to the latter, "If the Son make you free, then are you free indeed" (John 8:36).

Scripture proofs

1 Cor. 2:14
1 Cor. 2:14 But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.
2 Cor. 3:5
2 Cor. 3:5 Not that we are sufficient from ourselves to reckon anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency [is] of God,
John 8:34
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you⁺ that everyone who [is] doing sin is a slave of sin.
Rom. 8:7
Rom. 8:7 because the mind of the flesh [is] hostility toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for [it is] not even able.
Rom. 8:4–6
Rom. 8:4–6 4 so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, those not walking according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those being according to the flesh mind the [things] of the flesh, but those according to the Spirit the [things] of the Spirit. 6 For the mind of the flesh [is] death, but the mind of the Spirit [is] life and peace,
Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 36:27
Jer. 31:33 “For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, a declaration of YHWH: I will give My law in their inward parts, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.
Ezek. 36:27 And My Spirit I will put within you⁺, and I will make [it] that you⁺ will walk in My statutes and My ordinances you⁺ will keep and you⁺ will do [them].
John 8:36
John 8:36 Therefore if the Son shall set you⁺ free, you⁺ will be really free.
Phil. 2:13
Phil. 2:13 For God is the One working in you⁺ both to will and to work on behalf of [His] good pleasure.
Rom. 7:13–25; Gal. 5:17
Rom. 7:13–25 13 Did that which [is] good, then, become death to me? Never may it be! But so that sin might be shown as sin, it is producing death through that which [is] good to me, so that through the commandment sin might become sinful beyond excess. 14 For we have known that the law is spiritual; but I am fleshly, having been sold as a slave under sin. 15 For what I carry out, I do not understand. For what I want, this I do not practice; but what I hate, this I do. 16 Now if what I do not want, this I do, I assent to the law, that [it is] good. 17 But now I no longer carry it out, but the sin dwelling in me. 18 For I know that there does not dwell in me—that is, in my flesh—good. For to want is present with me, but not to carry out the good. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do; but the evil that I do not want, this I practice. 20 Now if what I do not want, this I do, no longer do I carry it out, but sin dwelling in me. 21 I find, then, the law in my wanting to do good, that evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inner man, 23 but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin being in my members. 24 O wretched man [that] I am! Who will deliver me out of this body of death? 25 But thanks [be] to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself indeed with the mind serve God’s law, but [with] the flesh the law of sin.
Gal. 5:17 For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. For these are opposed to one another so that the [things] you⁺ may want, these things you⁺ may not do.
1 Cor. 4:7
1 Cor. 4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you did not receive? And if also you did receive [it], why do you boast as not having received [it]?
Rom. 1:10
Rom. 1:10 always upon my prayers, imploring if somehow now at last by the will of God I will make a prosperous journey to come to you⁺.
Num. 24:13
Num. 24:13 [that] if Balak were to give to me the fullness of his house in silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of YHWH to do good or bad of my own will? That which YHWH says, that I must speak.
Luke 1:22
Luke 1:22 But having come out, he was not able to speak to them, and they recognized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he was making signs to them and remained mute.
Eccl. 7:29
Eccl. 7:29 See, this alone I have found: That God made man upright, and they have sought out many schemes.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 9: Of Free Will19 shared proof texts · 7 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 13: Of Sanctification14 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 313 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God10 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 9: Of Free Will9 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 16: Of Good Works10 shared proof texts · shared topic

Second Helvetic Confession

Chapter 19: Of the Sacraments of the Church of Christ

God, even from the beginning, added unto the preaching of the Word His sacraments, or sacramental signs, in His church. And this the Holy Scripture plainly testifies. Sacraments are mystical symbols, or holy rites, or sacred actions, ordained of God Himself, consisting of His Word, of outward signs, and of things signified; whereby He keeps in continual memory, and recalls to mind in His church His great benefits bestowed upon man; and whereby He seals up His promises and outwardly represents, and, as it were, offers unto our sight, those things which inwardly He performs unto us, and therewith strengthens and increases our faith through the working of God's Spirit in our hearts; lastly, whereby He separates us from all other people and religions and consecrates and binds us wholly unto Himself, and gives us to understand what He requires of us.

These sacraments are either of the old church or of the new. The sacraments of the old were circumcision and the Pascal Lamb, which was offered up; under which name, reference is made to the sacrifices which were in use from the beginning of the world. The sacraments of the new church are baptism and the Supper of the Lord. Some there are which reckon seven sacraments of the new church, of which number we grant that repentance, matrimony, and the ordination of ministers (we mean not the popish, but the apostolic ordination) are very profitable ordinances of God, but not sacraments. As for confirmation and extreme unction, they are mere devices of men which the church may very well want, without any damage or discommodity at all: and, therefore, we do not have them in our churches because there are certain things in them which we can by no means permit. As for that merchandise which the Roman prelates use in ministering their sacraments, we utterly abhor it.

The author and institutor of all sacraments is not any man, but God alone: for men can by no means ordain sacraments because they belong to the worship of God, and it is not for man to appoint and prescribe a service of God, but to embrace and retain that which is taught unto him by the Lord. Besides the sacramental signs have God's promises annexed to them, which necessarily require faith: now faith rests itself only upon the Word of God; and the Word of God is resembled to writings or letters, the sacraments to seals which the Lord alone sets to His own letters.

And as the Lord is the author of the sacraments, so He continually works in that church, where they are rightly used; so that the faithful, when they receive them of the ministers, do know that the Lord works in His own ordinance, and, therefore, they receive them as from the hand of God: and the minister's faults (if there be any notorious in them) cannot hurt them, seeing they acknowledge the goodness of the sacraments to depend upon the ordinance of the Lord. For which cause they put a difference in the administration of the sacraments, between the Lord Himself and His minister; confessing that the substance of the sacraments is given them of the Lord, and the outward signs by the ministers of the Lord.

But the principal thing which in all the sacraments is offered of the Lord, and chiefly regarded of the godly of all ages (which some have called the substance and matter of the sacraments) is Christ our Savior: that only sacrifice (Heb. 10:12), and that Lamb of God slain from the beginning of the world (Rev. 13:8), that rock also, of which all our fathers drank (1 Cor. 10:4) by whom all the elect are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands through the Holy Spirit (Col. 2:11–12) and are washed from all their sins (Rev. 1:5), and are nourished with the very body and blood of Christ unto eternal life (John 6:54).

Now, in respect of that which is the chief thing, and the very matter and substance of the sacraments, the sacraments of both the Testaments are equal. For Christ, the only Mediator and Savior of the faithful, is the chief thing and substance in them both: one and the same God is author of them both: they were given unto both churches as signs and seals of the grace and promises of God; which should call to mind and renew the memory of God's great benefits to them, and should distinguish the faithful from all the religions in the world; lastly, which should be received spiritually by faith, and should bind the receivers unto the church and admonish them of their duty. In these, I say, and such like things, the sacraments of both churches are not unequal, although in the outward signs they are diverse.

And indeed we do yet put a greater difference between them: for ours are more firm and durable as those which are not to be changed to the end of the world. Again, ours testify that the substance and promise is already fulfilled and performed in Christ, whereas the other did only signify that they should be fulfilled. And again ours are more simple and not so painful, not so sumptuous, nor so full of ceremonies. Moreover they belong to a greater people that is dispersed through the face of the whole earth: and because they are more excellent and do by the Spirit of God stir up in us a greater measure of faith, therefore, a more plentiful measure of the Spirit follows them.

But now, since Christ the true Messiah is exhibited unto us and the abundance of grace is poured forth upon the people of the New Testament, the sacraments of the Old Law are surely abrogated and ceased; and in their stead the sacraments of the New Testament are placed: namely, for circumcision, baptism, and for the Pascal Lamb and sacrifices, the Supper of the Lord.

And as in the old church the sacraments consisted of the Word, the sign and the thing signified, so even at this day they are composed, as it were, of the same parts. For the Word of God makes them sacraments, which before were not: for they are consecrated by the Word and declared to be sanctified by Him who first ordained them. To sanctify or consecrate a thing is to dedicate it unto God and unto holy uses; that is, to take it from the common and ordinary use and to appoint it to some holy use. For the signs that are in the sacraments are drawn from common use; things external and visible. As in baptism, the outward sign is the element of water, and that visible washing which is done by the minister. But the thing signified is regeneration and the cleansing from sins. Likewise in the Lord's Supper, the outward sign is bread and wine, taken from things commonly used for meat and drink. But the thing signified is the body of Christ which was given, and His blood which was shed for us, and the communion of the body and blood of the Lord.

Wherefore the water, bread, and wine, considered in their own nature, and out of this holy use and institution of the Lord, are only that which they are called and which we find them to be. But let the Word of God be added to them together with invocation upon His holy name, and the renewing of their first institution and sanctification, and then these signs are consecrated and declared to be sanctified by Christ. For Christ's first institution and consecration of the sacraments stands yet in force in the church of God, in such sort that they which celebrate the sacraments no otherwise than the Lord Himself from the beginning has appointed, have still even to this day, the use and benefit of that first and most excellent consecration. And for this cause in the administration of the sacraments, the very words of Christ are repeated.

And forasmuch as we learn out of the Word of God that these signs were appointed unto another end and use than commonly they are used, therefore, we teach that they now, in this their holy use, take upon them the names of things signified, and are not still called bare water, bread, or wine: but that the water is called "regeneration, and washing of the new birth" (Titus 3:5), and the bread and wine "the body and blood of the Lord" (1 Cor. 10:16), or the pledges and sacraments of His body and blood. Not that the signs are turned into the things signified, or cease to be that which in their own nature they are (for then they could not be sacraments which should consist only of the thing signified and have no signs); but, therefore, do the signs bear the names of the things because they are mystical tokens of holy things, and because the signs and the things signified are sacramentally joined together: joined together I say, or united by a mystical signification, and by the purpose and will of Him who first instituted them. For the water, bread, and wine are not common, but holy signs. And He that instituted water in baptism did not institute it with that mind and purpose, that the faithful should only be dipped in the water of baptism; and He which commanded the bread to be eaten and the wine to be drunk in the Supper did not mean that the faithful should only receive bread and wine without any further mystery, as they eat bread at home in their own houses: but that they should spiritually be partakers of the things signified and by faith be truly purged from their sins and be partakers of Christ also.

And, therefore, we cannot allow of them which attribute the consecration of the sacraments to I know not what syllables; to the rehearsal of certain words pronounced by him that is consecrated, and that has an intent of consecrating; or to some other accidental things, which are not left unto us either by the word or by the example of Christ or His apostles. We also dislike the doctrine of those that speak no otherwise of the sacraments than of common signs, not sanctified, nor effectual. We condemn them also, who, because of the invisible things despise the visible and think the signs superfluous because they already enjoy the things themselves: such were the Messalians, as it is recorded. We disapprove their doctrine also who teach that grace and the things signified are to be so tied to and included in the signs, that whosoever outwardly receives the signs must necessarily inwardly participate in the grace and in the things signified, whatever manner of men they may be.

Notwithstanding, as we esteem not the goodness of the sacraments by the worthiness or unworthiness of the ministers, so likewise we do not weigh them by the condition of the recipients. For we know that the goodness of the sacraments depends upon the faithfulness or truth and the mere goodness of God. For even as God's Word remains the true Word of God, wherein not only bare words are uttered when it is preached, but there withal the things signified by the words are offered of God, although the wicked and unbelievers hear and understand the words, yet do not enjoy the things signified because they receive them not by a true faith: even so, the sacraments consisting of the Word, the signs, and the things signified, continue true and perfect sacraments not only because they are holy things, but also that God also offers the things signified; however unbelievers do not receive the things which are offered. This comes to pass not by any fault in God, the author and offerer of them; but by the fault of men, who receive them without faith and unlawfully: "whose unbelief cannot make the truth of God of none effect" (Rom. 3:3).

Now forasmuch as in the beginning, where we showed what the sacraments were, we did also by the way set down to what end they were ordained, it will not be necessary to trouble ourselves with repeating anything which has been already handled. Next, therefore, in order, it remains to speak severally of the sacraments of the new church.

Scripture proofs

Heb. 10:12
Heb. 10:12 But this One, having offered one sacrifice for sins unto perpetuity, sat down at the right hand of God,
Rev. 13:8
Rev. 13:8 And all dwelling on the earth will worship it, [everyone] whose name has not been written in the book of life of the Lamb having been slain from the foundation of the world.
1 Cor. 10:4
1 Cor. 10:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they were drinking from the spiritual rock accompanying [them], and the rock was Christ.
Col. 2:11–12
Col. 2:11–12 11 in whom also you⁺ were circumcised with the circumcision done without hands in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which also you⁺ were raised with [Him] through the faith from the working of God, the One having raised Him out from the dead.
Rev. 1:5
Rev. 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To the One loving us and releasing us from our sins in His blood—
John 6:54
John 6:54 The one eating My flesh and drinking My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up in the last day.
Titus 3:5
Titus 3:5 not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,
1 Cor. 10:16
1 Cor. 10:16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is [it] not a fellowship of the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is [it] not a fellowship of the body of Christ?
Rom. 3:3
Rom. 3:3 For what If some disbelieved? Will their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God?

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 29: Of the Lord's Supper3 shared proof texts · 7 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 28: Of Baptism3 shared proof texts · 7 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 27: Of the Sacraments4 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 783 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 7: Of God's Covenant with Man3 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 703 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree38 shared proof texts · 16 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling10 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics Canons of Dort · First Head: Rejection of the Errors8 shared proof texts · 11 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 129 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 138 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 548 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics

Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree

1. God hath decreed in himself from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin, nor hath fellowship with any therein; nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty, or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established; in which appears his wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing his decree.

2. Although God knoweth whatsoever may, or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions; yet hath he not decreed anything, because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.

3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life, through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice.

4. These angels and men thus predestinated, and foreordained, are particularly, and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased, or diminished.

5. Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his mere free grace and love; without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto.

6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so he hath, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto, wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith unto salvation; neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.

7. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination, is to be handled with special prudence and care; that men attending the will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election; so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation, to all that sincerely obey the gospel.

Scripture proofs

Isa. 46:10; Eph. 1:11; Heb. 6:17; Rom. 9:15, 18.
Isa. 46:10 declaring from the beginning the end, and from of old that which has not been done, saying, ‘My counsel will stand, and I will do all My delight;’
Eph. 1:11 in Him, in whom also we obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One working all things according to the counsel of His will
Heb. 6:17 in which God, willing to show more abundantly the unchangeableness of His purpose to the heirs of the promise, guaranteed [it] by an oath,
Rom. 9:15, 18 15 For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I may have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I may have compassion.” 18 So then, He has mercy on whom He wants, and He hardens whom He wants.
James 1:13; 1 John 1:5.
James 1:13 Let no one being tempted say, “I am being tempted from God.” For God is unable to be tempted by evils, and He Himself tempts no one.
1 John 1:5 And this is the message that we have heard from Him and we announce to you⁺, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness—none.
Acts 4:27–28; John 19:11.
Acts 4:27–28 27 For in truth, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together in this city against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predetermined to happen.
John 19:11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Because of this, the one having delivered Me up to you has greater sin.”
Num. 23:19; Eph. 1:3–5.
Num. 23:19 God [is] not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and He will not do? Or has He spoken, and He will not fulfill?
Eph. 1:3–5 3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One having blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ in the heavenly realms, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world for us to be holy and blameless before Him, in love 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Acts 15:18.
Acts 15:18 known from the age.’
Rom. 9:11, 13, 16, 18.
Rom. 9:11, 13, 16, 18 11 for they not yet having been born nor having done anything good or evil, so that the purpose of God according to election might stand— 13 As it has been written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 16 So then, [it is] not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of God having mercy. 18 So then, He has mercy on whom He wants, and He hardens whom He wants.
1 Tim. 5:21; Matt. 25:34.
1 Tim. 5:21 I earnestly testify before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels that you should keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing according to partiality.
Matt. 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, the blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you⁺ from the foundation of the world.
Eph. 1:5–6.
Eph. 1:5–6 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously gave us in the Beloved One,
Rom. 9:22–23; Jude 4.
Rom. 9:22–23 22 And [what] if God, desiring to display the wrath and to make known His power, bore with much patience vessels of wrath, having been fitted for destruction, 23 so that He might also make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,
Jude 4 on BibleHub ↗
2 Tim. 2:19; John 13:18.
2 Tim. 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God has stood, having this seal: “The Lord knows those being His,” and, “Let everyone naming the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”
John 13:18 I speak not about all of you⁺—I know whom I chose—but so that the Scripture may be fulfilled: ‘The one eating My bread lifted up his heel against Me.’
Eph. 1:4, 9, 11; Rom. 8:30; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:9.
Eph. 1:4, 9, 11 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world for us to be holy and blameless before Him, in love 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Him 11 in Him, in whom also we obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One working all things according to the counsel of His will
Rom. 8:30 And whom He predestined, these also He called; and whom He called, these also He justified; and whom He justified, these also He glorified.
2 Tim. 1:9 the One having saved us and having called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, having been given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
1 Thess. 5:9 because God did not set us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rom. 9:13, 16; Eph. 2:5, 12.
Rom. 9:13, 16 13 As it has been written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 16 So then, [it is] not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of God having mercy.
Eph. 2:5, 12 5 even us being dead in trespasses, made [us] alive with Christ—by grace you⁺ are saved— 12 that at that time you⁺ were apart from Christ, having been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, not having hope and without God in the world.
1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13.
1 Peter 1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you⁺.
2 Thess. 2:13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you⁺, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you⁺ from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,
1 Thess. 5:9–10.
1 Thess. 5:9–10 9 because God did not set us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 the One having died for us, so that whether we may watch or we may sleep, we may live together with Him.
Rom. 8:30; 2 Thess. 2:13.
Rom. 8:30 And whom He predestined, these also He called; and whom He called, these also He justified; and whom He justified, these also He glorified.
2 Thess. 2:13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you⁺, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you⁺ from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,
1 Peter 1:5.
1 Peter 1:5 who [are] being guarded in the power of God through faith for the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
John 10:26; John 17:9; John 6:64.
John 10:26 But you⁺ do not believe, because you⁺ are not of My sheep.
John 17:9 I ask concerning them. I do not ask concerning the world, but concerning those whom You have given to Me, for they are Yours.
John 6:64 But there are some of you⁺ who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning who are those not believing and who it is who will betray Him.
1 Thess. 1:4–5; 2 Peter 1:10.
1 Thess. 1:4–5 4 knowing, brothers beloved by God, your⁺ election, 5 because our gospel came to you⁺ not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much full assurance, just as you⁺ know what we were among you⁺ on account of you⁺.
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be diligent, rather, to make your⁺ calling and election sure. For [in] doing these things, never at any time shall you⁺ stumble.
Eph. 1:6; Rom. 11:33.
Eph. 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously gave us in the Beloved One,
Rom. 11:33 O, the depth of riches, both of wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
Rom. 11:5–6.
Rom. 11:5–6 5 So then also in the present time, there has been a remnant according to the election of grace, 6 and if by grace, no longer out of works; otherwise grace no longer is grace.
Luke 10:20.
Luke 10:20 But do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you⁺; but rejoice that your⁺ names have been written in the heavens.”

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling35 shared proof texts · 8 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 6718 shared proof texts · 8 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 319 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 9: Of Free Will8 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics Canons of Dort · First Head: Rejection of the Errors7 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree6 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics

Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling

1. Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, he is pleased, in his appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call, by his Word, and Spirit, out of that state of sin, and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds, spiritually, and savingly to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving to them a heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by his almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace.

2. This effectual call is of God's free, and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, nor from any power, or agency in the creature, coworking with his special grace, the creature being wholly passive therein, being dead in sins and trespasses, until being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit; he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it, and that by no less power, than that which raised up Christ from the dead.

3. Elect infants dying in infancy, are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit; who works when, and where, and how he pleaseth; so also are all other elect persons, who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.

4. Others not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet not being effectually drawn by the Father, they neither will nor can truly come to Christ, and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men that receive not the Christian religion be saved; be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature and the law of that religion they do profess.

Scripture proofs

Rom. 8:30; Rom. 11:7; Eph. 1:10–11; 2 Thess. 2:13–14.
Rom. 8:30 And whom He predestined, these also He called; and whom He called, these also He justified; and whom He justified, these also He glorified.
Rom. 11:7 What then? What Israel seeks after, this it did not obtain, but the elect obtained [it]. And the rest were hardened,
Eph. 1:10–11 10 for the administration of the fullness of the times, to bring together all things in Christ—the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth— 11 in Him, in whom also we obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One working all things according to the counsel of His will
2 Thess. 2:13–14 13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you⁺, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you⁺ from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, 14 to which also He called you⁺ through our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph. 2:1–6.
Eph. 2:1–6 1 And you⁺, being dead in your⁺ trespasses and sins— 2 in which once you⁺ walked according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom we all also once conducted ourselves in the desires of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of [its] thoughts; and we were by nature children of wrath even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His much love with which He loved us, 5 even us being dead in trespasses, made [us] alive with Christ—by grace you⁺ are saved— 6 and He raised [us] up together and seated [us] together in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
Acts 26:18; Eph. 1:17–18.
Acts 26:18 to open their 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 an inheritance among those having been sanctified by faith in Me.’
Eph. 1:17–18 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you⁺ a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes your⁺ of heart being enlightened for you⁺ to know what is the hope of His calling, what [are] the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Ezek. 36:26.
Ezek. 36:26 And I will give to you⁺ a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you⁺; and I will take away the heart of stone from your⁺ flesh, and I will give to you⁺ a heart of flesh.
Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:27; Eph. 1:19.
Deut. 30:6 And YHWH your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.
Ezek. 36:27 And My Spirit I will put within you⁺, and I will make [it] that you⁺ will walk in My statutes and My ordinances you⁺ will keep and you⁺ will do [them].
Eph. 1:19 and what [is] the surpassing greatness of His power to us, those believing, according to the working of the power of His strength,
Ps. 110:3; Song 1:4.
Ps. 110:3 Your people [are] freewill offerings in the day of your might, in the splendors of holiness; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth [is] unto you.
Song 1:4 Draw me after you, let us run! The king has brought me [into] his chambers. We will rejoice and will be glad in you; we will cause your love to be remembered more than wine; rightly do they love you.
2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 2:8.
2 Tim. 1:9 the One having saved us and having called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, having been given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
Eph. 2:8 For by grace you⁺ are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God,
1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:5; John 5:25.
1 Cor. 2:14 But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.
Eph. 2:5 even us being dead in trespasses, made [us] alive with Christ—by grace you⁺ are saved—
John 5:25 Truly, truly, I say to you⁺ that an hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those having heard will live.
Eph. 1:19–20.
Eph. 1:19–20 19 and what [is] the surpassing greatness of His power to us, those believing, according to the working of the power of His strength, 20 which He worked in Christ, having raised Him out from the dead, and having seated [Him] at His right hand in the heavenly realms,
John 3:3, 5–6.
John 3:3, 5–6 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one would be born from above, he is not able to see the kingdom of God.” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one would be born of water and of the Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That having been born of the flesh is flesh, and that having been born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:8.
John 3:8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know from where it comes and where it goes. Thus is everyone having been born of the Spirit.”
Matt. 22:14; Matt. 13:20–21; Heb. 6:4–5.
Matt. 22:14 For many are called, but few chosen.”
Matt. 13:20–21 20 And that having been sown upon the rocky [places], this is the one hearing the word and immediately receiving it with joy. 21 And he has no root in himself, but is temporary. But [on] tribulation or persecution having come because of the word, immediately he is caused to stumble.
Heb. 6:4–5 4 For [it is] impossible for those once having been enlightened, and having tasted of the heavenly gift, and having become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and having tasted the goodness of God’s word and the power [of] the coming age—
John 6:44–45, 65; 1 John 2:24–25.
John 6:44–45, 65 44 No one is able to come to Me unless the Father, the One having sent Me, should draw him, and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught of God.’ Everyone having heard from the Father and having learned comes to Me. 65 And He was saying, “Because of this, I have said to you⁺ that no one is able to come to Me unless it shall have been given to him from the Father.”
1 John 2:24–25 24 You⁺, let that which you⁺ heard from the beginning remain in you⁺. If that which you⁺ heard from the beginning should remain in you⁺, you⁺ also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He promised us: eternal life.
Acts 4:12; John 4:22; John 17:3.
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no other, for there is not another name under heaven having been given among men by which it is necessary for us to be saved.”
John 4:22 You⁺ worship what you⁺ do not know; we worship what we know, because salvation is of the Jews.
John 17:3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You sent.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 13: Of Sanctification20 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 7511 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 26: Of the Communion of Saints7 shared proof texts Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 656 shared proof texts Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1955 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 9: Of Free Will5 shared proof texts

Chapter 13: Of Sanctification

1. They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection; are also farther sanctified, really, and personally, through the same virtue, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened, and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of all true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

2. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence arises a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.

3. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail; yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after a heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in his Word hath prescribed to them.

Scripture proofs

Acts 20:32; Rom. 6:5–6.
Acts 20:32 And now I commit you⁺ to God and to the word of His grace, being able to build [you] up and to give you an inheritance among all those having been sanctified.
Rom. 6:5–6 5 For if we have become united in the likeness of His death, yet also we will be of the resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], so that the body of sin might be nullified, [for] us no longer to be slaves to sin.
John 17:17; Eph. 3:16–19; 1 Thess. 5:21–23.
John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
Eph. 3:16–19 16 that He might give to you⁺ according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 [for] Christ to dwell in your⁺ hearts through faith, having been rooted and having been founded in love, 18 that you⁺ may be fully able, with all the saints, to comprehend what [is] the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ surpassing knowledge, that you⁺ may be filled to all the fullness of God.
1 Thess. 5:21–23 21 but test all things. Hold fast to the good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you⁺ completely, and may your⁺ entire spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom. 6:14.
Rom. 6:14 For sin will not rule over you⁺, for you⁺ are not under law, but under grace.
Gal. 5:24.
Gal. 5:24 Now those of Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with the passions and the desires.
Col. 1:11.
Col. 1:11 being empowered with all power according to the power of His glory unto all endurance and patience, with joy
2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14.
2 Cor. 7:1 Therefore having these promises, beloved, we should cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Heb. 12:14 Pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord,
1 Thess. 5:23.
1 Thess. 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you⁺ completely, and may your⁺ entire spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom. 7:18, 23.
Rom. 7:18, 23 18 For I know that there does not dwell in me—that is, in my flesh—good. For to want is present with me, but not to carry out the good. 23 but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin being in my members.
Gal. 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11.
Gal. 5:17 For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. For these are opposed to one another so that the [things] you⁺ may want, these things you⁺ may not do.
1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I exhort [you], as foreigners and sojourners, to abstain from fleshly desires, which war against the soul,
Rom. 7:23.
Rom. 7:23 but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin being in my members.
Rom. 6:14.
Rom. 6:14 For sin will not rule over you⁺, for you⁺ are not under law, but under grace.
Eph. 4:15–16; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Cor. 7:1.
Eph. 4:15–16 15 But speaking the truth in love, we should grow in all things into Him who is the head, Christ, 16 from whom all the body, being fit together and being knit together by every joint of [its] supply, according to the working in the measure of each single part, the increase of the body makes for the building up of itself in love.
2 Cor. 3:18 And we all, having been unveiled in face, reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.
2 Cor. 7:1 Therefore having these promises, beloved, we should cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

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