Many people throughout the world are taking the true meaning out of context in Romans 9:9-10. These verses say, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Many people in this area believe all you have to do is just simply call upon the Lord and you will be saved. If these same people would open their Bibles and read the verses that precedes 9 and 10, they could see it takes more than just calling upon the Lord to be saved. In verse 14 "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

In order for one to call upon the Lord to become a Christian, he or she must comply with the plan of salvation that God has provided for all mankind. How can anyone call upon the name of the Lord and expect to be saved when he or she doesn't even know God's simple plan of salvation. People avoid reading the gospel for reasons like this: what about the thief on the cross? He was not baptized; yet the Lord saved him. One must keep in mind that the thief lived under the Old Testament. Prior to the death of Christ, the Old Testament was in force. After the death of Christ, a new law (Testament) became effective.

Peter taught that "everyone of you" must "repent and be baptized" in the name of Christ "for the remission of sins" (Act 2:38). Many people say, "I feel in my heart that I am saved," and trust their feelings rather than the Word of God. One may "feel" saved, but until God pardons him he is still lost, yet in his sins and without a valid hope of going to Heaven.

Jesus said, "No man can come to Me except the Father that sent Me draw him" (John 6:4). How does God draw men unto Him? Read the next verse: "It is written in the prophets, and they shall all (everyone) be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto Me" (John 6:45). Sinners are taught of God by hearing the Gospel. Those who learn come to God because they are drawn. The Gospel of Christ is "the power of God unto salvation" (Romans 1:16). "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27). This verse plainly says one must be baptized in order to put on Christ, to become a New Testament Christian. How can anyone say that he or she was saved without water baptism after reading the above verse. The Bible plainly teaches one must hear the Gospel (Romans 10:17). One must believe the Gospel (John 20:31). One must repent of sins (Acts 17:30). One must confess that Jesus is the Christ (Romans 10:9). One must be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

Is your heart right with God? Have you obeyed God or are you following after the traditions of some man. Jesus said, "I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and robber" (John 10:1).

If you have a question or comment, please write Randall Phipps at the Clintwood Church of Christ, P.O. Box 746, Clintwood, VA 24228. Check out our web page at clintwoodchurchofchrist.com.