We know they rejected the truth, Robert, that is not the point.
The point is that they, the non-Elect without question, had received the knowledge of the truth, which many here deny God gives to the non-Elect.
How that is relevant to free will and re-generational faith is that while men are under conviction they are supernaturally enlightened to believe the Gospel. It is during this conviction they respond to the Gospel or reject it.
And that has nothing to do with their natural condition, it has to do with the...
...love of God.
What we see in this verse and numerous others is that natural man has no free will. His nature is not one of choiuce, he is fully depraved because he is separated from God and cannot understand the spiritual things of God. To say that God has to regenerate a man before he can place saving faith in Christ means only one thing...salvation can be lost. And that is exactly what most Arminians do with texts like the one above and others. They say, "See! Says right there they were saved! Can't understand the Gospel without having the Spirit!"
And we know that is error.
It is the Ministry of the Comforter that allows natural man to be rescued, and a choice is nowhere to be seen in a response to that convicting ministry. It is true a man must have the Spirit to be saved only in the sense that he is dependent on the Spirit enlightening his natural mind to understand the Gospel.
Men no more "freely choose" to be saved than they "freely choose" to sin.
But I forgive you your slander. I know that ye did it in ignorance.
God bless.
ALL humans are born enemies and haters of God, and ALL humans do not get a supernatural illumination from God, they have a natural revelation that allows them to believe and understand enough to make them without excuse.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,