Basis For Belief

I was talking with a man some time ago, that was making some rather strange statements about what he believed about Heaven, hell and the Church. I only had a couple of minutes to share some truths with him and to ask him what he based his belief upon. He had nothing. "It is just what I believe" was all he could respond. My guess is, he didn't go to Church nor did he read the Bible, yet he had established some firm convictions (in his own mind) about Bible doctrine. Now, before we begin to discredit this man, the obvious question to us is do we have Biblical basis for what we believe. Most people, though certainly not all, continue on in the religion or denomination into which they were born. My parents were Baptist, so I am a Baptist, type thing. And since they have been raised in the Baptist Church, they have a pretty good understanding of what "Baptist" believe. But, when asked why they believe what they do and to show the proof of it in scripture, they are dumbfounded. Several years ago, I would occasionally have doctrinal discussions with my aunt that belongs to the Mormon church. When she could not give me a reason for what she believed, her reply was "well, that is what you Baptists believe". Let me say, without hesitation, I am proud to be a Baptist, but I do not discuss Baptist doctrine, I discuss Bible doctrine. I just happen to believe that they are one and the same. Now, my question to you is not just "do you know what you believe?", but what is the basis for your belief?