Debates, What is a debate? What does the bible say about debates?

[BroDane]

I would like all interested to post here on what you see in the Bible about debates and what the bible says about debates. :idea:

Please post all related words and phrases related to debates.

Debate
DEBATE, n.

1. Contention in words or arguments; discussion for elucidating truth; strife in argument or reasoning, between persons of different opinions, each endeavoring to prove his own opinion right, and that of his opposer wrong; dispute; controversy; as the debates in parliament or in congress.

2. Strife; contention.

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate. Isa 1:8.

3. The power of being disputed; as, this question is settled beyond debate; the story is true beyond debate.

4. Debate or debates, the published report of arguments for and against a measure; as, the debates in the convention are printed.

DEBATE, v.t. To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to maintain a cause by reasoning; to dispute; to discuss; to argue; to contest, as opposing parties; as, the question was debated till a late hour.

Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself. Prov 25.

DEBATE, v.i.

1. To debate on or in, to deliberate; to discuss or examine different arguments in the mind.

2. To dispute.

3. To engage in combat.

[Cherokee]

I do not believe the Truth is open for debate. The Word of God is forever settled in Heaven and not one jot or tittle shall anywise pass away til all be fulfilled. Man is full of debate but God never was. The debates come from within when we do not want to except what is written. Jesus said,"It is written." He also said,"It is finished." So if it is recorded and completed there's nothing left to debate. When we seek the face of God about His Word He will through and by the Holy Ghost lead and guide us into all Truth. Not what we think to be the Truth. He said,"Search the scripture(s) for in them ye think ye have eternal life." But these are they that testify of me. In the volume of the book(s) it is written." I know that this is just bits and pieces of scripture but God gave the Bible to man on this planet to commune with Him with. He did not intend for us to add to or take away from and I do not believe it is so confusing that when the anointing is on His Word that if we are in tune (fine tuned) with His Spirit (through prayer and fasting) the Word will be alive unto us. For the letter killeth but the Spirit maketh alive. Now I do believe there is a spirit of debate and it does not come from God. There are many more scriptures that cause me to believe this and I am not a Bible Scholar but I have read His Word and I have sought His face and I know in whom I have believed and He is the Author and Finisher of my Faith. Revelation has to come from God and I also believe that walking with Him on a daily (all the time) bases will take care of any type of debate so to speak. It is very interesting to know that there were Prophets that knew Elijah was going to be taken up and informed Elisha that this would happen but yet some stayed at Bethel( the place I see as a person's conversion and change), the next group stayed at Jericho (where they saw God work a few miracles and they were contend to live on past miracles.) and some went to the banks of Jordan (but did not want to make the effort to cross as weights and personal belongings and things could not be taken as the waters were deeper here and more sacrifices would have to made, and things left behind, to be able to stay afloat to get to the other side.) But Elisha got a hold of the man of God and got a hold on his mantle and Elijah could not shake him loose and so he asked Elisha what did he want to which Elisha answered,(a double portion,"). Now this tells me Elisha got a hold of the anointing and the anointing breaks the yoke. Elisha came back across the Jordan, past the prophets at Jericho and Bethel and walked in the anointing. There was another man that made a mistake and got ahold of a mantle of another great man of God. Saul of Tarsus held the mantle of Stephen and as Stephen prayed (as he looked into the Heavens and saw Jesus,)that God would forgive those that had done this sin. Saul became a changed man and could not let go of Stephen's coat(mantle)(anointing) and this is what made him cry out,"Who art thou, LORD?"The Truth is anointed and it will not change but it will change those that would dare try to debate it. The children of God that walk in the Truth possess the anointing and that my Brothers and Sisters is what makes us different. Anyway my thoughts and prayerful observations of God's Word. ..Love Ya' in Jesus!!!!....Cherokee

[BroDane]

Great Post! :tup:

[servant]

Bro Dane,
I've always felt that you can win a debate, but lose a soul. I don't know of anyone whose mind was ever changed after they lost a debate or were proved wrong. There's an old saying, any dog can whoop a skunk any day of the week, but is it worth the fight?
I believe in presenting the truth and reasoning the scriptures, but when it is apparent that the other party only wants to debate you or belittle your position, it's time to close your bible and move on.

Serv :)

[nytxn1971]

Amen, Serv... that can even be true in our own circles...

[tufluv]

Excellent, concise advice, SERVANT! How many of those have we had to do the same with? :( and just pray for them?

Sometimes debates serve only to bolster the ego of the one that begins an alleged discussion, but is in fact attempting to bait someone., (not referring to anyone specifcally). I try to stay out of much debate, because they invariably lead nowhere but to bruised souls; :cry: there are precious few that are that open hearted enough to adjust their views to accomodate new (to them) truths., not that the WORD, has had anything NEW added to it, yet some saints are on differing levels of understanding, and spiritual growth, we can only pray for that soul, and be PATIENT and grace-ful.

I HAVE learned a lot by listening (reading), but the HOLYGHOST has the last word on whether its absolute truth or not. It takes much reading, meditation, and time, to even come to any conclusion. That's how I began and thats how I continue.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY :bow:

[Thelordisone]

Bro Dane,

Paul said, "that we should contend arduously for the faith that was once given to the saints!"

Then the Lord said, "that the Holy Spirit would give us what to say in that hour!"

In His Name!!

[Hebrews116]

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

As far as debate, as the definitions set forth, it really boils down to MOTIVE.

Are those engaged in debate doing so in order to cause strife and division?

Or, are they doing so for the purpose of having "discussion for elucidating truth"?

JMHO, God Bless!

[servant]

Originally posted by Thelordisone
Bro Dane,

Paul said, "that we should contend arduously for the faith that was once given to the saints!"

Then the Lord said, "that the Holy Spirit would give us what to say in that hour!"

In His Name!!

thelordisone,

I hate to be contentious, but it was Jude who said to earnestly contend for the faith, not Paul.

Serv :)

[ThirdGeneration]

Hebrews- You hit the nail on the head. Romans 1:29 is speaking of strife rather than the way we would normally use the word, "debate." (See the Greek translation).

Serv, you are too funny!

[tufluv]

HEBREWS116: HELLO! Long time no see!:)

That is the point I was trying to make, in my post above, about the motives, I have seen too many debate just to show how literate they are in the WORD, (again, no one specific), as well we should all be, but I can sense that spirit in some., a spirit of contention and disregard for others feelings.
I just want to rejoice in the Lord, and again, I say: REJOICE!!

That may not sell as well, but its my right and joy!:angel:

[Thelordisone]

servant,

Tks for the correction.

[BroDane]

OK..We are learning here..keep going....