NOTES for Rom 10:9-18
The entire life of Saint Andrew the First-Called is described in this passage from the Letter to the Romans. In his own life, he experienced the principle by which this law operates: “But how are they to call upon Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” He believed and followed Jesus with astonishing speed. The Gospel gives us nothing but a single sentence from the Savior, after which Andrew and Peter immediately left their boat, net, and fish and went to catch people. Thereafter, although he seldom appears on the pages of Scripture, Andrew spent his whole life going out and preaching so that people might believe and, having believed, call upon the name of Jesus and be saved. The apostle’s life and death give us the basic rules of conduct for an evangelist: 1. Bring the Good News to everyone; 2. Remember that a person is free not to accept the message; 3. Do not expect visible and rapid fruits from your labor.