Ok, let me make an attempt at an exegesis here:

John 1:12-13 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power [authority] to become the sons [children] of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

This verse teaches that those who receive him or believe on his name have the authority to be the children of God. I don't really think I need to add anymore than to say that.

He did not give that right until they believed on his name.

Paul says the same thing elsewhere:

"For ye are all the sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26

That is, those who believe have the authority to be the children of God.

Some maintain that not being born of the flesh or the will of man means that we are not born again by ‘making a decision.’ Well yes, true, it is not a ‘decision’ that has any power, but believing from the heart the word of the truth of the gospel.

What is clear here is that the receiving is what precedes becoming a child, and thus being born of God.

But what of ‘who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man’? Being born of God is put in distinction to Jewish natural birth and becoming a Jew through proselytisation. Allow me to quote from John Lightfoot:

"Of the will of man, in that sense wherein they coveted so many proselytes, to admit them into the religion of the Jews, and so into covenant and sonship with God." A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica John Lightfoot.


Second,
Ephesians 2:1-9 "And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

This quickening is through faith, as seen in Colossians:

"In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses" Colossians 2:2.

You write that "All are "dead" in trespasses and sins. And it was grace which "quickened" those who were dead. If God's grace is dispensed on the basis of one's antecedent faith, then it is no longer of grace but of works."

But look, it says God quickened us (made us alive), by grace, and then later it adds, "by grace through faith." it tells us that this grace is received through faith.

Let's look again:

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [...] For by grace are ye saved through faith."

Colossians tells us we are raised up (quickened) through faith. The gospel of John says we receive new life (quickening) through believing.

Your objection was that this cannot be because "If God's grace is dispensed on the basis of one's antecedent faith, then it is no longer of grace but of works." But it says it is - "by grace are ye saved through faith!"

Paul holds faith and works in contrast. We are saved by grace, through faith, and not of works. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." You are making faith a work, and this is contrary to the apostle's mindset here. To Paul, faith and works are completely seperate things. By grace you are saved THROUGH faith. Faith is not a result, it is the instrumentality, of grace.

ZS