I examined my own experience to evaluate what you are saying. I realise that not all come to Christ the same way.
I "made a decision" at a Billy Graham crusade in 1967. It did not last - parable of the sower. 5 years later, my boss witnessed to me, patiently, one on one and thoroughly as well. I was convicted of my sinful state before God. I knew that I was condemned. I asked the age old question, "What must I do"? And he told me the good news that followed on from the bad news.
I accepted Christ as eagerly as a drowning man grabs a lifebelt. My salvation was entirely selfish. The moment I accepted Christ, two things happened. A great load of guilt lifted off me. And I knew that I had found what I had been searching for. I knew that I was different. I did not know enough to explain it; that came later.
It's something of a mystery. The first time I heard the gospel, I was stirred emotionally. I don't remember one word of Billy Graham's preaching. I remember what my boss said to me 5 years later. I had been through hell in the previous few months. God allowed this to prepare my heart. I do know that the moment I accepted Christ, I was not born again. Being born again came immediately after I received Christ.
Psalm 119:130 says that the unfolding of God's Word brings light.
2 Corinthians 4:6 says that God shone His light into our hearts. Paul says that the gospel, God's word, is the power to bring salvation (
Romans 1:16).
Does that answer the question? Probably not. All I can say is what it seemed to me from my point of view. I do know that I had no relief from guilt until I accepted Christ. So personally, I do not believe that I was alive spiritually until I received Christ.
This fits with
John 1:12
"But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God......" Believe and receive first, then being born again.