Herald, it is verse 12 that actually refutes your view.
1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
At first glance, this verse does seem to support Total Inability that the natural man is unable to understand and thus believe the gospel.
The problem is, there is MUCH scripture that easily refutes this view.
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Paul's question demands the answer that these Galatians received the Holy Spirit by first believing the gospel. This refutes the view of Calvinism.
Acts 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Paul's question here clearly shows he believed a person received the Holy Spirit after first believing on Jesus. This refutes the view of Calvinism.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Paul plainly and directly tells us here that these Ephesians received and were sealed by the Holy Spirit AFTER first believing the gospel. This refutes the view of Calvinism.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Peter plainly and directly tells these Jews they must repent and believe on Jesus (for only believers are allowed to be baptized) and that AFTERWARD they would receive the Holy Spirit.
Calvinism pulls 1 Cor 2:14 out of context and falsely claims it teaches the natural man cannot believe the gospel, and ignores MANY scriptures that plainly and directly show us the natural man can believe the gospel, and that if he does he will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. All of these scriptures easily refute the false view (and teaching) of Calvinism.
I highlighted that concerning Gal. 3:2
1st I am not a Calvinist, 2nd Paul does not say that in your explanation.
To paraphrase, Paul says you did not receive the Spirit by the
works of the law but you received the Spirit by the hearing
of faith.
G3:22 Paul states, scripture concludes all under sin. How? Romans 3:20 states, Therefore by the deeds (works) of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for
by the law [is]
the knowledge of sin.
So all have been put
under the law. Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are
under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (G3:22 all be concluded under sin.)
G3:24 calls the law our schoolmaster and verse 23 states we were under the law our schoolmaster
And this was before the faith they heard of
came.
G3:25 states
after the faith, that faith they heard of by which they received the Spirit,
did come, they were removed from being under the schoolmaster. They were no longer under the law.
What was
the faith that came, which removed them from being under the law to be under something else? What event, a noun, took allowing The Spirit to be received? See romans 6 to understand the death of Jesus Christ removed them from being under sin, the law and put them under grace, that is his resurrected life.
Jesus said. John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away:
for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
If there is no obedience of faith, if Jesus isn't obedient unto death even the death of the cross, the Spirit, the Comforter will not come.
Faith: But is I depart, am obedient unto death,
I will send him unto you.
If I am obedient unto faith, (the death of the cross,) the Father will raise me from the dead and give me the promise of the Holy Spirit, and I will send him unto you.
Acts 2:32,33 This Jesus
hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted,
and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth,
crucified among you?
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith
of the Son of God, who loved me,
and gave himself for me.