More than Faith in a Creator. More than the Cross.

Who were the holy people in Matthew 27 that were raised at the resurrection of Jesus? Are some people today saved just by believing in a Creator God? What kind of message was poisoning the church and spreading like cancer in 2 Timothy 2? My pastor told me if I left his church, it would be seven times harder for me to come back. What are your thoughts on his statement? Why did you emphasize the resurrection life of Jesus earlier and not talk about atonement for sins?