Introduction

• Ephesians 4:4-6

Do I believe in a religious tradition simply because it’s a tradition?

• II Thessalonians 2:15
• Traditions can be either good or bad – we must go back to God’s word.
• Mark 7:1-8
• II John 1:9

Do I carry stuff over from the Old Covenant?

• Jeremiah 31:31-34
• Galatians 3:24-25
• The Old Covenant is no longer in effect.
• Hebrews 8:6-13 – The Old Covenant is obsolete.
• Hebrews 10:9-10
• Hebrews 10:1

Do I just believe what my family believes?

• Matthew 10:32-38 – Jesus must be our priority, even if it disrupts family relationships.
• Galatians 1:13-14; I Timothy 1:15 – Paul followed the traditions, but it made him the chief of sinners!

Do I just go along with the experts?

• Who decides who the experts are?
• Matthew 16:6-12 – Beware of the teaching of the experts!
• Matthew 23:1-3, 15
• Acts 4:1-3, 17-18 – The “experts” tried to stop the apostles!
• Acts 5:34

Do I just follow whatever is popular?

• John 6:60-66 – Jesus was not getting good reviews.
• If you’re going with popular opinion, you’ll be against Jesus.
• Matthew 7:13-14

Do I just believe what seems right to me?

• Proverbs 14:12
• Jeremiah 10:23
• Acts 23:1; 26:9 – Paul was doing what seemed right to him.

Why SHOULD I believe something?

• John 17:17
• John 12:48-50
• Can you find these in the Bible?
  • Saved by faith only
  • Once saved, always saved
  • Homosexuality is acceptable
  • Infant baptism
  • Praying to Mary
  • Having an ordained clergy class
  • God’s people can divide into denominations
  • Holy Spirit “irresistible grace”
  • Etc.
• Because I can find it in the Bible!