Repentance Follows Regeneration

Quite clearly the order of salvation in Acts 2:37-38 is regeneration or quickening followed by the request for instruction, "what must we do?" The instruction was repent (confess your sinfulness) and be baptized in the name of Jesus. They would receive the remission of sins and then they would receive the same thing they had observed the 120 had received, the gift of the Holy Ghost.

So what does it mean to be "pricked in their hearts"? If it meant conviction of sin or aware of their sinfulness then the absolute condition for salvation is repentance and water baptism in the name of Jesus. This order would be disqualified as essential when the believers received the gift of the Holy Ghost and then were baptized in water. (Acts 10:47) The reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost would precede regeneration!

If "pricked in their hearts" meant an awakening sufficient to call on the Lord for salvation then the meaning of Ephesians 2: 1-5 is distorted. The sinner is not really "dead" but seems dead. Or else quickening means some divine intervention by God to enable the truly dead man to be able to call on the Lord. This would make, according to Peter's instruction, "repent" an absolute necessity for regeneration and water baptism the act of regeneration. Remission of sins would be an immediate by product of regeneration. Regeneration would then follow repentance.

So "pricked in their hearts" means quickening (Eph 2:1) and that means regeneration and the new birth (John 3:3). Therefore regeneration is the absolute necessity, "you must be born again in order to see the kingdom of God." That means witnessing unto Christ ( Acts 1:8), all that preceded the "pricking in their hearts" is followed by the plan of salvation to the elect. This is the only offer of salvation to the sinner and not to be confused with witnessing unto Christ.

Now why is this important? It takes the burden off the preacher to convince the sinner, the elect, his need of salvation. This is a responsibility for which we are not equipped. The Holy Spirit does this not us. This is accomplished through a quickening work, regeneration, that causes the elect to be aware of their need.

The Holy Spirit has sole authority to choose who and when to save. It is not up to us. It is our job to go into all the world witnessing to every man, woman, boy and girl. It is the Holy Spirit who directs us to the elect and there are no restrictions to how and when he does it. Acts 8:26

We are not soul winners, the Holy Spirit does that. We do not convert the heathen God does. This is something a true Calvinist understands. We just bear witness unto Christ through preaching by way of word and life. When the Holy spirit has done his quickening then He sends a preacher! That makes the preacher a partner with God in the salvation of the lost. To God alone goes all the glory!