VARob said:
If repentance is a gift, how could Peter command people to repent? (Acts 2:38)
The Bible shows very clearly that believing and repentance is a choice that people make.
Acts 7:51 - “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors:
You always resist the Holy Spirit!
Acts 14:2 - But the
Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
Acts 19:9 - But some of them became obstinate;
they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
Rev 2: I have given her time to repent of her immorality,
but she refuses.
Rev 16:9 - They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but
they refused to repent and glorify him.
Rev 16:11 - and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores,
but they refused to repent of what they had done.
In order to refuse to do something shows the ABILITY to do it.
Otherwise, "refuse" has no meaning at all.
All these verses prove that man is free to choose, which is free will.
Resistance is a choice. Refusal is a choice.
Man is able and free to believe, repent and not resist. Proven by these verses.