The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Who does the believing and repenting?

That's called "Unconditional Election." This is one of the five points of Calvinism. The first question which we need to ask ourselves then is, Do we find this doctrine taught in the Scriptures?

Let us turn to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. There we read: “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love; having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” 1:4, 5. In Romans 8:29, 30 we read of that golden chain of redemption which stretches from the eternity that is past to the eternity that is to come, — For whom He foreknew, He also foreordained to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He foreordained, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.” Quoted from Boetner

We see this illustrated by the story of Nicodemus when he came to Jesus at night. Jesus told him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (Jn. 3:3) Regeneration (new birth) is the act of God alone, in which He renews the human heart, making it alive when it was dead. In regeneration, God acts at the origin and deepest point of the human person. This means that there is no preparation, no preceding disposition in a sinner that requests or contributes to the new life given by God.

Elsewhere Jesus said, "Without me, you can do nothing"; and in speaking about salvation, "Without God, nothing is possible." Regeneration is the gift of God's grace. It is the immediate, supernatural work of the Holy Spirit wrought in us. Its effect is to quicken us to spiritual life from spiritual death. It changes the disposition of our souls, inclining our hearts toward God. The fruit of regeneration is faith. Regeneration precedes faith.

To understand Calvinism you also need to understand total depravity and that unless God's initiates a work of grace in our lives we will never repent and believe. However, when the Holy Spirit comes and changes our very nature through regeneration we have our eyes opened to our sin and that forgiveness is only possible through faith in Christ Jesus. Being transformed by grace we not only repent and believe but we live a life of faith and repentance enjoying fellowship with God and His church.

Total Depravity

Salvation By Grace Alone

Efficacious Grace


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