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CM-059 - WCF 10.3: Called by Grace Even Without a Word
Westminster Confession of Faith 10.3
“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 incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.”
In this episode of Confessional Moments, we continue our study of Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 10 by considering the extraordinary work of God’s grace in those who are incapable of receiving the outward call of the gospel.
The Confession teaches that while God ordinarily brings sinners to faith through the preaching of the Word, He is not bound to these means. Elect infants and others who are unable to hear or understand the gospel are nonetheless regenerated and saved by Christ through the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit.
Drawing from Scripture and the insights of the Puritan and Reformed tradition, this episode explores the freedom of the Spirit in regeneration, the relationship between ordinary means and God’s sovereign power, and the careful theological boundaries the Confession maintains regarding infants.
This paragraph offers both comfort and caution—comfort in knowing that God is able to save apart from means, and caution in refusing to go beyond what Scripture reveals. The Confession does not declare that all infants are saved, but confidently affirms that elect infants are saved, grounding our hope not in assumption, but in the mercy and sovereignty of God.
Ultimately, effectual calling reminds us that salvation is always by Christ, through the Spirit, and according to God’s sovereign grace—whether through ordinary means or extraordinary mercy.
Scripture Reading & References
John 3:8
Ephesians 1:4–5
Romans 9:16
Romans 10:14–17
Deuteronomy 29:29
Puritan & Reformed Sources Referenced
John Owen — The Holy Spirit
Thomas Goodwin — The Work of the Holy Ghost in Our Salvation
Thomas Watson — A Body of Divinity
Stephen Charnock — Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God
Key Doctrinal Themes
Effectual Calling
The sovereign work of God by which He brings the elect to saving faith in Christ, whether through ordinary means or by immediate work of the Spirit.
Sovereignty of the Spirit
The freedom of the Holy Spirit to regenerate whom He wills, independent of human means or limitations.
Ordinary Means of Grace
The appointed instruments—especially the preaching of the Word—through which God ordinarily brings sinners to salvation.
Election
God’s eternal choice of certain individuals unto salvation, which is the ultimate ground of all saving grace.
Biblical Restraint
The principle of affirming only what Scripture clearly teaches, refusing to speculate beyond divine revelation.
About the Host
Confessional Moments is hosted by Pastor Tim Beauchamp, teaching elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA). Pastor Tim is committed to helping Christians grow in doctrinal clarity, spiritual maturity, and confidence in Christ through the riches of the Reformed confessional tradition.
Church Website
Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA)
www.trinitychurchguam.org
View all episodes
By confessionalmomentsWestminster Confession of Faith 10.3
“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 incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.”
In this episode of Confessional Moments, we continue our study of Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 10 by considering the extraordinary work of God’s grace in those who are incapable of receiving the outward call of the gospel.
The Confession teaches that while God ordinarily brings sinners to faith through the preaching of the Word, He is not bound to these means. Elect infants and others who are unable to hear or understand the gospel are nonetheless regenerated and saved by Christ through the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit.
Drawing from Scripture and the insights of the Puritan and Reformed tradition, this episode explores the freedom of the Spirit in regeneration, the relationship between ordinary means and God’s sovereign power, and the careful theological boundaries the Confession maintains regarding infants.
This paragraph offers both comfort and caution—comfort in knowing that God is able to save apart from means, and caution in refusing to go beyond what Scripture reveals. The Confession does not declare that all infants are saved, but confidently affirms that elect infants are saved, grounding our hope not in assumption, but in the mercy and sovereignty of God.
Ultimately, effectual calling reminds us that salvation is always by Christ, through the Spirit, and according to God’s sovereign grace—whether through ordinary means or extraordinary mercy.
Scripture Reading & References
John 3:8
Ephesians 1:4–5
Romans 9:16
Romans 10:14–17
Deuteronomy 29:29
Puritan & Reformed Sources Referenced
John Owen — The Holy Spirit
Thomas Goodwin — The Work of the Holy Ghost in Our Salvation
Thomas Watson — A Body of Divinity
Stephen Charnock — Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God
Key Doctrinal Themes
Effectual Calling
The sovereign work of God by which He brings the elect to saving faith in Christ, whether through ordinary means or by immediate work of the Spirit.
Sovereignty of the Spirit
The freedom of the Holy Spirit to regenerate whom He wills, independent of human means or limitations.
Ordinary Means of Grace
The appointed instruments—especially the preaching of the Word—through which God ordinarily brings sinners to salvation.
Election
God’s eternal choice of certain individuals unto salvation, which is the ultimate ground of all saving grace.
Biblical Restraint
The principle of affirming only what Scripture clearly teaches, refusing to speculate beyond divine revelation.
About the Host
Confessional Moments is hosted by Pastor Tim Beauchamp, teaching elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA). Pastor Tim is committed to helping Christians grow in doctrinal clarity, spiritual maturity, and confidence in Christ through the riches of the Reformed confessional tradition.
Church Website
Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA)
www.trinitychurchguam.org