Article 8: The Serious Call of the Gospel

Nevertheless, all who are called through the gospel are called seriously. For seriously and most genuinely God makes known in his Word what is pleasing to him: that those who are called should come to him. Seriously he also promises rest for their souls and eternal life to all who come to him and believe.

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The doctrine of calling occupies a major place in Scripture. To put it simply, when the gospel is proclaimed God’s elect are called to faith. The Canons have described this call as the “ministry of reconciliation,” based upon Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21. As a result of being called, the elect embrace Jesus Christ through faith, trust in him and in him alone, for their salvation.

Throughout the Scriptures, calling is directly connected to regeneration. “Calling” precedes the exercise of faith. In other words, no one can come to faith in Christ, unless they are first “called,”" as in John 6:65 when Jesus says, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

There are a number of important considerations here. The first thing that we need to consider is that the Reformed make a distinction between the so-called “general call” which goes out without exception to all men and women (elect and non-elect alike) whenever the gospel is preached, and the “effectual call” which is made to God’s elect only.

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