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

First of all, Calvinism does NOT teach that there are no "conditions". We much prefer, however, to speak of "prerequisites", i.e., there are certain things which must be present and done in order to be saved, e.g., conviction of sin, repentance and faith.

Man in his natural state is totally unable to be convicted, repent or believe because he hates God, loves himself and most of all he is wholly given over to sin. (Gen 6:5; 8:21; Jer 3:13; 7:19; Jh 3:19, 20; Rom 3:10-18; Eph 4:17-19; et al) Yet, man is responsible and required to repent and believe despite the fact that he is unable to do so. This is why what is most needed first is an act of effectual grace, i.e., a working of God the Holy Spirit to regenerate, make alive, resurrect, recreate a sinner's soul. And in so doing, a new nature is born which is then predisposed, inclined to hate sin, love God and desire to live a life of holiness.

Once the sinner is "born from above" by the sovereign work of the Spirit of God, through the means of the Word, conviction is formed in his heart and this new nature responds to this new apprehension of the corruption of his entire being, offensiveness of his thoughts, words and deeds before God and the guilt which he bares for not only the sins committed, but his very state of being under God's judgment in that he has inherited the punishment rendered to Adam at the Fall. The end result is an irresistible confession of and turning from sin (repentance), and a firm dependence on Christ as his substitute, Who by His atonement, has merited all that is needed to be reconciled to God.

So, man does the repentance and believing, but only AFTER God has first created within him a new heart which despises sin and yearns after God and holiness.

I hope that helps?

In His grace,