Romans 58

The Basis of our Salvation

Brian Kocourek

Wednesday evening we spoke from Romans 10: verses 9-11 the following words, "9 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. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

We examined these words, especially in verse 9 because Paul is telling us that there is a certain belief that must be believed and there is a certain confession that must be said in order for you to be saved.

He said, 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.

Therefore we saw the importance of having the right confession. He said you've got to believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. He did not raise Himself, but God raised him up. We showed you a dozen and a half Scriptures which tell us that God raised Jesus from the dead.

Beginning with this same Romans 9, let's just read a few.

ROMANS 10:9 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.

ACTS 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he

ACTS 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

ACTS 3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

ACTS 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

ACTS 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

ACTS 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

ACTS 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

ACTS 13:29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took [him] down from the tree, and laid [him] in a sepulchre 30 But God raised him from the dead: 31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. 32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

ACTS 13:37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

I CORINTHIANS 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

GALATIANS 1:1 ¶ Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

COLOSSIANS 2:12 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.

I PETER 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

ACTS 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

HEBREWS 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son], 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God [was] able to raise [him] up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Now, Paul said, "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. And if you do not believe that, you are lost. Now, that may seem like a rather bold statement to make, especially in this hour where the people are so morally bankrupt, and so afraid to speak up for the Word of God sake, but that does not change the facts any.

That is a very important statement to make, and seems awful harsh, but, it is perfectly in line with other statements which Paul has made.

In GALATIANS 1:6 Paul said, ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed ( or fallen away) from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another(heteros) gospel: 7 Which is not another(allos); but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert ( turn backwards) the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

The Wuest translation says, "In fact, even if we or a messenger from heaven should preach a Gospel to you which would go beyond that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. Even as we have said on a previous occasion, indeed, now again I am saying, If as is the case, anyone preaches a Gospel to you which goes beyond that which you took so eagerly, and hospitably to your hearts, let him be accursed."

We find John say the same thing in 2 John 9 "every one who goes beyond the limits of ture doctrine and does not remain in the aforementioned teaching with reference to the Christ, does not possess God. The one who remains in the aforementioned teaching, this one possess both the father and the Son. "

^{NIV 2 JOHN 9} Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.

¹¹ Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.

Weymouth 1:6 I marvel that you are so readily leaving Him who called you by the grace of Christ, and are adhering to a different Good News. 1:7 For other “Good News” there is none; but there are some persons who are troubling you, and are seeking to distort the Good News concerning Christ. 1:8 But if even we or an angel from Heaven should bring you a Good News different from that which we have already brought you, let him be accursed. 1:9 What I have just said I repeat — if any one is preaching to you a Good News other than that which you originally received, let him be accursed.

KJV 10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you brethren ( or make you brethren to understand) that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation (apocalupsis) of Jesus Christ. And if it took the Pillar of fire and an apokalupsis then to understand the Gospel, it will take the same thing today. Alpha has got to repeat in Omega.

Now, let's read again from Romans 10: verses 9-11 to see if we have a better appreciation of these words Paul is speaking to us here. "9 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. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

FAITH.IS THE SUBSTANCE 47-0412 E-60 Think of it. And people tell me they got faith and say they can't believe in Divine healing? Friends, if you don't believe in Divine healings, you're lost. That's right. How you going to, if you can't have faith enough for God to patch up this body to glorify Him in, how much more you going to have faith to believe that God will take this old mortal and make immortality out of it to take it up. That's a direct Divine healing. Oh, my, there's going to be some awful disappointments at the day of judgment, at the resurrection. That's right.

RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS 51-0729A E-97 And we are redeemed through the Blood of Christ. And God Almighty is a Spirit. And He overshadowed the virgin Mary and created... God the Creator, created the Blood Cell in the womb of that woman, knowing no man by sexual desire. You believe it? And that Blood cell developed into the Man which was the Son of God. And through that unadulterated Blood of the Son of God, creative Blood by Jehovah, without sexual desire; through the shedding of that Blood on Calvary's cross redeems us from sin and sickness. Hallelujah. Brother, I'm ready to die for that this afternoon. If you don't believe that, you're lost. That's right. I believe it with all my heart. Yes, sir.

98 I said, "Yes, He was Divine. He was the created Son of God." And I said, "God was in Him reconciling the world to Himself." She...?... "He was just a mere man. He wasn't Divine." Said, "I'll prove it to you by the Scriptures. Will you receive it?" I said, "If you can prove it by the Scriptures, I will receive it. And if I'll disprove you ideal will you receive it?" She said, "I'll prove you first that you're wrong." I said, "Let's have you at it?" She said, "When He went down to the grave of Lazarus," Said, "He went down to the grave; he cried." Said, "That showed he wasn't nothing but a man, because he had sorrow in his heart. He cried. He was a mortal." I said, "Yes, ma'am. I'll agree with you that He cried like a man when He was going to the grave of Lazarus. But when He stood there in that little frail frame straightened up, said, 'Lazarus, come forth.' That was more than a mortal there. That was God speaking through His Son." Hallelujah. And a man that had been dead four days stood on his feet and lived again. You believe that? Yes, sir.

E-99 I said, "It's true, woman. He was a Man when He come down off the mountain that night and was hungry. He looked all around over a tree to find some food. He was hungry like a man, hunting for food; He was hungry. But when He took five biscuits and five little fishes and fed five thousand, that was more than a Man. That was God in His Son speaking forth, the Creator Himself." Hallelujah. Whew. Going to call me holy-roller anyhow, might as well have a big time while I'm here. Let me tell you brethren. Yes, sir. Watch. He was a Man when He was hungry, but He was God when He fed five thousand. He was a Man when He was laying on the back of that boat, that night when the troubled seas was troubling and bouncing, when ten thousand devils of the sea swore they'd drown Him that night. Laying back there on the back of that boat so tired He couldn't move, when even the mighty waves didn't even wake Him, He was a Man when He was asleep; but when He rose (Hallelujah.), come up there, and stuck His foot on the brail of that boat, looked up and said, "Peace be still," and the waves and wind obeyed Him. He was God when He ho... When the winds and waves obeyed Him, He was more than a mortal Man, He was God.

100 Brother, when He died at Calvary cross, He cried, "My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" He died like a man. But when He rose on Easter morning, He broke every shackle of hell, death, and the grave. He proved that He was God, Emmanuel. He raised on high today. Believeth thou this? He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. Believest thou this? He's here right now. Believest thou this? He's the One that's working among us. Believest thou this? I believe the Holy Ghost is circling this building now. Believest thou this? I believe we can heal every one of us right now. Believest thou this? Hallelujah. Believest thou this? The Angel of God is circling this building right now. I believe that any man or woman in here that wants to be healed, can stand at their feet right now and be healed. Believest thou this? Stand to your feet. Hallelujah. O God, Author of life, Giver of every good gift, send Thy blessings to this people just now. Heal every one, Lord. May Your mercy fall. May Your power be here healing everyone just now. May they come forward and be well in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Hold your hands. Praise Him. He's here now. He's healing people; virtue's going out. Hallelujah. Believest thou this? He's here.

GOD'S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM 56-0223 E-29 And God, the Creator, created a Blood cell in the womb of Mary that brought forth the Son, Christ Jesus. You believe it? Outside of that you're lost if you don't believe that. There's not a way in the world for you to be saved.

ANOINTED ONES AT END TIME 65-0725M 54 I was talking to a--a gentleman not long ago, a Christian scholar and gentleman. He said, "Mr. Branham, we refuse all revelations." I said, "Then you have to refuse Jesus Christ, for He is the revelation of God, God revealed in human flesh." Unless you see it, you're lost. Jesus said, "Except you believe that I am He, you'll die in your sins." He is the revelation of God, the Spirit of God revealed in human form. If you can't believe that, you're lost. If you put Him a third person, second person, or any other person besides God, you're lost. "Except you believe that I'm He, you'll die in your sins." A revelation.

Then Paul tells us, we not only have to believe it in our hearts, but we must confess it with our mouth. Because if we just believe it and do not confess it we really don't believe it. For Jesus said, "for out of the Abundance of the heart the mouth will speak." Therefore, if you truly believe it, it will swell up within your heart to the place that you can't hold your peace. Maybe I can say it a little plainer.

If you really believe it, you can't wait for the opportunity to speak it. But if you are not sure you believe it, then you don't have it yet. Because the Word of God is a fountain that runneth over. It is not still water, but a living water than keeps coming forth and renewing itself and ever increasing within you and you can't help but to open your mouth and speak his Word and identify with what He is and what He is doing.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Now, here's the key, He says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. In verse 9 & 10 he said, you've got to believe first in your heart that God raised up Jesus from the dead and then you've got to confess it. And now he says, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Therefore, this believing and confessing is your calling upon the Lord. AT THY WORD LORD 54-1207 E-48 Only by your confession can you be saved. That's the most powerful weapon that God put in the hand of man, is a committal and a confession. It'll do it every time, if you'll believe it, accept it on those basis, and believe it and stay with it. Keep confessing it. When you confess it...

But what if you are not sure of what you believe? Can you be saved?

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH 55-0220E E-66 Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom." You can't understand it. It's a mystic, mythical thing until you're born again. There the very Life of God comes in you. Everlasting, Eternal Life, Zoe, God's own Life comes in you, and then you're a part of God. You're a Son of God or a daughter of God. And then you see as God sees. You believe as God believes.

This is the real issue then. How do you really know you are calling upon the right Lord? The Word Lord simply means master, Jesus used the same word Kurios when he said MATTHEW 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Therefore, how will we know which Lord, Which Master to call upon?

Paul answers this question as we shall see in the next few verses.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher (Even though they say they hear, thy boast in vain, unless they hear true preachers; for to hear false prophets means as much as not to hear. They hear and they do not hear; They have ears, but do not hear, nor do they preach the Word of God. ? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! ? This is directed against all conceited teachers and arrogant instructors .

If you will notice in verse 14-15 there are four statements that Paul makes that of which follow together in such a way that one leads to the other, but so that the last forms the foundation on which the others rest. Thus we see from what Paul said, that it is impossible that those preach who are not sent, It then is impossible for those to hear who are without a preacher, and it is impossible for them to believe who do not hear, and thus it would be impossible for them to call upon the name of the Lord who do not believe. And thus it would be impossible for them who do not call upon the name of the Lord to be saved.

So then, the entire source and origin of salvation rests on this, that God sends out someone, ( A true minister of the Word).

1. If He does not send out any, then they who preach, preach falsely, and their preaching is no preaching at all. In fact, it would be better for them not to preach.

2. Then also they who hear, hear error, and it would be better for them not to hear.

3. Then also they who believe, would believe false doctrine, and it would be better for them not to believe.

4. Then also they who call upon Him would call falsely (upon a false Lord), and it would be better for them not to call.

1 For such preachers do not preach,

2 such hearers do not hear;

3 such believers do not believe;

4 such callers do not call;

5 they will be damned because they would be saved by falsehood.

Ø Then we would see what is spoken of in Proverbs 1:28 which says, “Then shall they call upon me, But I ill not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord.”

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The true, revealed, and vindicated Word of God.

Then can you see the importance this morning of receiving a vindicated Ministry? Because if it is not vindicated, then how do you know what you are hearing is not error? And if it is error, then you would be believing error, and if you believe error, then you would be calling out to a wrong God, and if you call out to a wrong God, then how could you be saved? Therefore, God has come down to vouch safe His own Presence among us. We know that we are the elect of God because He said so. It is not just something we have read in a book, but God Himself has come down and has spoken through the lips of His Prophet whom He has vindicated and that is what I am standing on this morning.

Can you imagine the mess the Mess-Age would be in if all of God's True Five fold ministry were to be called off the scene? It is going to happen one of these days, and when it does, you talk about a famine.

UNCERTAIN SOUND 61-0429E E-51 One day God said, "Now, you prophesied enough against them, come on out of the field, and I'm going to let the judgments of your prophecy rain down on them." So Elijah went up on top the mountain, up there for three and half years, or three years when they was all 'bout gnawing their tongues for pain, but he was setting by a little brook. Little spring, had the spiritual revelation all the time, waters of life pouring up. The rest of them... And listen, brother, sister, let me tell you. One of these days when God is, just get enough of this around here, and He will take all the true off the field and then you'll want a revival. It has to come to pass. The prophet said there would be a time in the last days, when there would not be a famine only for bread and water, but for hearing of the Word of God. And the true servants will be taken off. And there'll be a famine in the last days. It sure will be.

Right now, we are being kept alive eating three meals a day while Elijah is away, but wait until God shuts down the five-fold one day, then you talk about the people perishing for bread.

EZEBEL RELIGION 61-0319 96 But there'll be a one-man system come forth with the power and the anointing of Elijah to fulfill the prophecy. Hallelujah. He'll shake it. And remember, he prophesied to them, and prophesied, and told them all the things, and God worked with him. But his final message was attacked on the White House. When John came, his final message was attacked on the White House of that day. Elijah's final message, when he walked down that road that morning after being in the Presence of God out there, walked down that road with old hairs all over him, his bald head shining, the whiskers blowing, them little old eyes was gleaming with the glory of God, that stick in his hand, and his feet just as steady as they could be: what's he doing? Walking right down from Samaria into the presence of the White House, and saying, "THUS SAITH THE LORD." Fearing nothing... The churches had turned him down; the people had turned him down; so now he's giving his final attack upon the White House.

97 Then what happened after that? Listen. After that attack, his voice became quiet, nobody heard him no more. God called him off the scene, said, "Elijah, you've done made your message known to all of Israel; they know It. Now, come up here in the wilderness; get away from them; separate yourself, 'cause I'm going to do something. I'm going to show them what it is to turn My message down." What set in? War, famine, starvation. THUS SAITH THE HOLY SPIRIT; watch what's coming. Watch what's going to follow." There was a famine; there will be a famine, oh, maybe not for bread, but for hearing the Word of God and His Truth. All the churches will socialize and go right on into it just the same, just like they've already been swallowed up with it.

99 What did Elijah do? He found a hidden spring way up in the mountain where he got some Water of Life, Divine revelations from God as he set up there under the power of God. The revelations being a little hidden spring, while the rest of them was famishing. And God bless His servants, them ravens; they brought him something to eat while he was isolated from the people. And they were down there famishing for a revival and all going on, "Don't hear no more of his revivals at... Where is that old crank that goes around blasting our organizations? Where's he at now?" They didn't know. He pulled hisself with God, out into a isolated place where they didn't hear his voice. Then they begin to see.

100 When God sends forth a message and tells the people, and they don't receive it, then He withdraws His servant and sends His plagues: famine, death, spiritually speaking, physically also. You watch for a depression, brother. You think you've seen something; you just wait after while. You haven't seen nothing. You think you're dying for a good spiritual revival; you wait till after a bit. You just wait, long and cry to hear the Word of God. The Bible said so. "There'll be a famine in the last days," said the prophet, "and not for bread and water alone, but for hearing the true Word of God." But that voice will be quiet in the wilderness somewhere, hid away. He ordained the ravens, His servants. Bless them birds, His servants, that kept the voice of--of Elijah alive during the time of his--his isolation from the church. The ravens brought him flesh and bread at morning, and flesh and bread in the evening, and he drank from the little fountain while the rest of them down there were doing without any spiritual food and water.

102 Then one day after sin had took its toll, and God has brought His people to their knees... Jezebel took everything; she wiped it all up; and she'll do it again. That's THUS SAITH GOD'S HOLY BIBLE. She'll do it again. She's right on the throne now, behind the figurehead, twisting it anyway she wants to; and nobody's going to stop her. Certainly, nobody's going to stop her now, because what they couldn't get in the religious circles they cut it--cut it all into politics, and there they done it. Uh-huh, that's exactly what they done. Which the political will be a boycott just exactly back to the mark of the beast, as sure as I'm standing here. See? And the Bible said it.

103 I know we're getting late; I'll hurry. I got to get this last word in, if the Lord will let me. Watch. Elijah stayed up there until God moved him. He had no revivals. He preached not against it or nothing. He just stood up there with God alone out in the wilderness, 'cause he was a wilderness man. He was raised in the wilderness. So was John raised in the wilderness. He went out in the wilderness alone with God, took away from the church after he give his message. And the church turned it down, turned it down. And finally the organizations wouldn't do nothing, so he just had to move out. God called him off the scene took him on out in the wilderness, said, "Come on out here; they won't listen anymore. Come on, then I'm going to throw My judgment upon them." Oh, yes, he'll be here one of these days; you watch.

106 Then after the days of his prophecy, what happened? The church languished, the great terror of Jezebel; she took them all in herself, gobbles them all up, took them in herself, and build groves and everything else. But one day, God called him out again. Here he come out. Listen close now, and don't get angry with me. I'm saying, THUS SAITH THE LORD. When he come out, what did God do? He sent him to a widow woman. She once had a--a man power over her head, but it took death to set her free so she could believe the prophet's Word. You notice that? She had a husband that guided her this way and that way in one of the schools down there. But during this great drought, he had been gobbled up; death had took him. She was no more hooked in any organization; so she was ready now to hear the Word of the Lord. A woman, meaning the Church, a widow, that her husband, the organization, had died, and she was just barely think she's living herself. And God said, "Go down to her now; she'll hear you. I've commanded her."

108 Oh, we think sometimes, you little group there that's so faithful and do everything you can to have a meeting to try to show to the people that your heart's right and you want them to get right, you think you're having a hard time. But remember, God's got His eye on you. You love Him. I know you love Him, you wouldn't set here; you wouldn't attend any such a thing. God's got His eye on you. Yes. And when he did, her husband had died, her organization died, so now she's ready to hear the prophet's Word. So when the prophet come to the gate and asked her for a--a little water, she went to get it. Then he said, "Bring me a morsel of meal." And she turned and said, "As the Lord lives, I don't have nothing but just enough."

111 Now, it looked like that he was sent to take what little she had, but it was vice versa. When she was willing to give what she had in support of the Word, God fed her. And if you're willing to give what Spirit you do have, what Spirit that God's give you to support of the Word, then God will keep you alive. Hallelujah. O glory to God. Do you see it, church? Don't think I'm beside myself; I'm not. But what you have got, what little you do believe in God, what faith you have got, place it on the Word, not on organization. Put it in God's Word; He'll keep you alive.

She was ready then, 'cause she couldn't before, 'cause they wouldn't let her. But now she's ready. Will she receive it? God sent a prophet her way. Will she receive his Word? Will she receive this prophet? Yes, she did. And he told her, said, "Now, what little life you have got, place it in here, bring it to me first." And what happened? When the rest of the world was languishing and dying in hunger, her and her children and her household all eat three good meals a day: Divine revelation on the Word. I hope you see it, friend. What went on? He stayed there until the famine was over, living with this woman, this Church, that received him and believed his Word. And he kept her alive, kept the Church alive by the Word of the Lord, because he said, "THUS SAITH THE LORD."