There is no question that Romans
10:9-11 underscores the importance of having faith in our Lord Jesus
Christ and confessing Him with our mouth to receive His gift of
salvation. In fact, not only that "God has raised Jesus from the dead."
But also that anyone who does not believe in Christ is "condemned
already." (John 3:18). However, we wish to emphasize that true faith in
Christ, entails much more than just confessing Him with our mouths:
"So Jesus said to those who believe in Him, "If you obey my teaching, you are already my disciples." (John 3:31, Today's English Version).
True faith is not just a matter of believing but of obeying as well. It
is no wonder therefore that the futility of merely professing to have
faith was clarified by Christ apostles. This is what Apostles James
emphasized when he wrote:
"What it is good my brothers, If someone says he has faith but does not
have works? Can that faith save him? ... See how a person is justified
by works and not by faith alone." (James 2:14, 24, New American Bible).
One's so called faith without actions or deeds is dead (James 2:17).
For, even the demons believe and even tremble with fear (James 2:19) -
but surely, they will not be saved.
Regarding Romans 10:9-11, verse 17 of that same chapter explains how one obtains faith:
"So then faith comes by hearing, and by hearing by the words of God." (New King James Version)
Faith, which is certainly necessary for salvation, can be obtained
through hearing or receiving the words of God or the Gospel. But, do
listening to the Gospel and having faith suffice for one to be entitled
for salvation? Notice that Savior Himself expects of us, aside from
receiving the Gospel and possessing faith, in order to be saved:
"And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to
every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he
who does not believe will be condemned'." (Mark 16:15-15, Ibid.)
"Receiving the baptism taught by Christ is therefore also necessary for
people to be saved. Those who have received this baptism, the Bible
teaches, are found in "one body" (I Cor. 12:13), which is the "church"
headed by Christ. (Co. 1:18). This Church is none other than the Church
of Christ which the Savior purchased with His precious blood:
"Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the
Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ
which he has purchased with his blood." (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation).
Hence, confirming the indispensability of membership in the true Church
for people to be saved, which also disproves the widespread belief that
faith alone guarantees us of salvation, the Holy Scriptures further
states:
"For a husband
has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the
church and Christ is himself the Savior of his body." (Eph. 5:23, Today's English Version).
"...And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:47, King James Version).