Bible Discussions and Debates


This is an area that some stay away from. However, through the years, this has been an area of GREAT interest to me. When I first started independently studying the Bible, to this very day, it is my desire to know and understand everything I can about the VERY important (and sometimes controversial) beliefs of the Apostles’ Doctrine.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.


Saul of Tarsus experienced a complete 180 degree life transformation, as a devout Pharisee, who transitioned from the Levitical Law of the Letter, to become a great minister to the Gentiles with the Apostles’ Doctrine of the Christian faith. After his conversion, God gave him a new name. He became known as the Apostle Paul. This caused him to be misunderstood and not trusted by some, and despised and hated by others. However, he was loved by many, and had a very effective First Century ministry. In fact, he is credited with being used of God to write much of the New Testament (the epistles {Letters} to Churches and Individual Christians {people already saved} contained in the Books Romans through Philemon). These are admonitions and instructions for dealing with internal matters AND for living a victorious life in Christ.

Paul was gifted to be able to minister to anyone, whether they were a lowly servant OR to a member of royalty. That said, his zeal AND his God-given message remained constant. He did NOT have one message for some folks, and another one for others. With some he reasoned from the Scriptures, and others he actually debated and disputed their beliefs, as they relate to the Scriptures. 


Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Acts Chapter 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. [17] Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.


There were no denominations in the "original" New Testament Church. However, today there are divisions when it comes to something other than ones own denomination. Those who have grown up in the church tend to stand fast at their denominational teachings. And, today, many people wouldn't give a person the time of day from that which they've been indoctrinated to believe. Therefore, I encourage people to independently study the Bible to establish their faith on book, chapter and verse, instead of the creeds, ideas, opinions and theories of man. Especially those which came along a couple Centuries AFTER Christ, and which are based on a handful of very carefully selected Scriptures which have been given "implied" interpretations, and which contradict the vast preponderance of Scriptural evidence on the same subject found elsewhere, and written "verbatim" upon the pages of God's Holy Word.

In most cases, when one goes off to a seminary to receive their ministerial credentials, they must give answers to that which is perceived to be the correct in oder to get their degree. This is where the indoctrination of traditional views begin, and how those views are passed down.

Our doctrine MUST be the same as that which was preached, practiced and taught by the "foot print" followers, the "original" New Testament leaders.  If it isn't, then, according to the Bible itself, it is made of man, built upon the sand, and accursed. Therefore, a serious Bible student and/or believer MUST pay very close attention to "doctrine", which is why we should ALWAYS examine the "verbatim" Word of God AND "preponderance" of Scriptural evidence found in the Word of God.

-Bobby Richardson


Debate Series: Download for off line reading - Zipped Folder


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