Those who are persuaded by Calvinism or who hold similar concepts MUST believe that regeneration occurs before salvation.
That, fits in with part of the TULIP acronym stating that mankind is totally depraved and unable to respond. Therefore, God must grant a kind of temporary salvation in order for actual salvation to occur.
But, does that actually happen? Frankly I, along with most Christians, find no evidence of this concept within scripture.
Of course it also ties in quite nicely with the concept of 'limited atonement' and God being responsible for our engagement with Him.
That, logically would mean that those who are not in the Lamb's Book of Life are really not to blame since God decided to send them to hell instead.
So do we throw out John 3:16 and all scripture that indicates we come to understanding through the word?
Asking for a friend (jking)