A quick answer to the above is that you are absolutely correct about salvation being only for those who believe, although I would have stated it as all those who truly believe have been saved, changing the sequence of cause and effect from what you've implied. But there is no doubt that true belief is foundational for those saved. I would add however that the important question that underlies belief and needs to be answered is who will believe and why will they believe? I think Titus 3:5-6 provides a foundation to help answer it. So, thank you for your replies, but you didn't address Tit 3:5-6 in them, which I thought the point of this discussion. I am well aware there are many verses which on the surface appear to say what you allege but I think for the most part, they can be refuted. The problem with that approach is that we will never reach the end of the discussion going back and forth into oblivion just to finally end back where we started. I would therefore respectfully suggest that you begin with an assessment of Titus 3:5-6 and if necessary, we can go from there. I don't think either of us wants to turn this discussion into a career.
Well, I have made the study of GW my life-long career, and since joining CC one year ago yesterday I have had to focus on Scripture that refutes tulipism, which includes a systematic study of Romans that I am sharing with you. I am sorry that you do not yet see that Romans provides context that defines Titus 3:5-6, so I will provide some more:
9. Romans 3:20-21 states the law makes souls conscious of sin and that “the Law and Prophets testify” or prepare the way for the new revelation of righteousness from God apart from the Law, which takes up where Romans 1:17 left off.
10. Romans 3:22a says that “righteousness from God” or s/e comes through faith “in Jesus Christ” (cf. Eph. 2:8), a phrase Paul used eleven times in Ephesians 1:3-14 to indicate s/e.
11. Romans 3:22b says that God’s righteousness is given “to all who believe—there is no difference”” signifying that all sinners may believe or be s/e (cf. 1Tim. 2:3-4, John 3:16, Tit. 2:11), because there is no favoritism (#7).
12. Romans 3:23 teaches that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, meaning that no one can be good enough to earn salvation because of their own merit.
13. Romans 3:24 says sinners “are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (via faith per v.22, cf. 3:27-28); s/e is free because Christ paid the price/cost.
14. Romans 3:25a explains redemption as being “a sacrifice of atonement” for those who have faith in Christ’s work of dying in their place.
15. Romans 3:25b further explains that God demonstrated his just patience (#3) or forbearance in leaving unpunished those sins committed before the revealing of the Gospel (foreshadowed in Gen. 22:8 & 13), implying that sinners had/have the opportunity to believe and be s/e thereby demonstrating God’s justice/not showing favoritism (#11).
16. Romans 3:26 continues to emphasize divine justice by declaring it three ways (“justice…, just…, justifies”), which justness is synonymous with righteousness (2Thes. 1:5-6, Heb. 6:10).
17. Romans 4:1-25 presents Abraham as a Gentile who became the physical father of the Jews and the spiritual father of all who choose to have faith in God/Christ.
18. Romans 5:1 echoes Eph. 2:8 by describing s/e as justification through faith, Eph. 1:5 & 7 by using the phrase “through Jesus Christ”, and Eph. 2:14 by describing s/e as having peace with God.
19. Romans 5:2 & 5 also echo Eph. 2:18 & 3:1 by describing s/e as having access to God’s grace via the Holy Spirit.
20. Romans 5:6-10 states that God’s love (cf. kindness in #3) for the ungodly, for sinners and for His enemies is demonstrated by Christ dying for their s/e or justification/reconciliation.
21. Romans 5:12-21 describes s/e in corporate terms, saying that–like the first man–all (many?) men also sinned and died, and God’s grace comes to all (many?) because of Jesus Christ.
22. Romans 6:1-14 describes s/e in terms of Christians being united with Christ’s death and resurrection, so they who are under grace should not allow sin to reign in their bodies but should instead serve God as instruments of righteousness.
By applying items such as #1-7 & 11-20 (for starters) to Titus 3:4-6, we see that God's kindness/grace/mercy is meant for all sinners. Why would anyone want to refute this truth?! Yay! PTL! 