It’s important for us to think deeply and understand why we believe what we believe.

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

Mark 7:1-8

II John 1:9

Do I carry things over from the Old Covenant?

Exodus 20 – God gives the Old Covenant law.

Jeremiah 31:31-32 – God would reveal a New Covenant.

The New Covenant was in effect from Acts 2 on.

Hebrews 8:6-9, 13

Hebrews 10:9-10

Do I just believe what my family believes?

Matthew 10:32-38 – Jesus must be the priority, even over family.

Galatians 1:13-14; I Timothy 1:15

Do I just go along with the religious experts?

Who are the experts?

The experts are often wrong!

Matthew 16:6, 12

Matthew 23:1-3, 15

Acts 4:1-2, 17-18 – The experts tried to stomp out the gospel!

Acts 22:3

Do I just follow what is popular?

Matthew 7:13-14 – Following the majority is not a good strategy!

Does God’s truth change based on society? Certainly not!

Do I just believe what seems right to me?

Acts 23:1; 26:9-11 – Paul did what seemed right to him!

Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 10:23

Why should we believe what we believe?

John 12:46-50

Matthew 5:44

Matthew 13:37

Because it is what God commanded!

Mark 16:16