By Robert Clarita and Jason Veran
Muntinlupa, Philippines – Despite the distance of locations, the Walking-Bible Preacher did not miss the chance to put on a good fight with an Iglesia ni Cristo challenger. Bro. Eliseo Soriano, during the live Bible Exposition held on November 30, 2010, once again used his biblical skills to enlighten the INC advocate as well as the thousand audiences who attended the event.
An hour-long debate took place on-the-spot when an inquirer, an INC member, challenged the Ang Dating Daan host. This was least anticipated for that moment as inquirers were supposed to ask questions related to biblical matters. The question-and-answer portion is part of the regular exposition program
The issue raised by the challenger was that there is no god called “Real God” in the Bible except one, the Almighty God.
The Iglesia ni Cristo’s eminent doctrine is that Jesus Christ is human and never a god. This is the crux of the stand of the challenger. Bro. Eli, in contrast, had defended the MCGI belief that Christ is God according to the Bible.
The INC challenger cited Jeremiah 10:10-11. He interpreted that the verse stated that the real God is the one who created the heavens and all of the creations as well. His supposition was that the Creator was alone during the time of creation, and that Jesus Christ is human because he was also a creation of God the Father. He also stated that other gods are not real gods and shall perish. He supported this argument with the verse with John 17:3, stating that the verse cited “only true God”.
Bro. Eli took his turn and he agreed that false gods will perish by also citing Jeremiah 10:10. However, he strongly refuted the challenger’s claim that Christ is not a real God. Citing Hebrew 13: 8, he emphasized the obvious statement in there that Jesus Christ shall live forever. Christ is not included in those who will perish; therefore Christ is real God, as Bro. Eli explained.
The Ang Dating Daan host also gave an explanation of Christ’s deity. Upon creation, God the Father casts the foundations of the heavens and Christ was with the Father then. Christ is a witness of the creation. These were the explanations of Bro. Eli citing the book of Proverbs 8:22.
Bro. Eli also added that in I Corinthians 1:24 and I Corinthians 2:6 -8, Christ is the power and the knowledge of God. The biblical fact mentioned had disproved the claim of the opponent that Christ wasn’t part of the creation.
Addressing the other claim of the INC challenger that Christ is human and countering it, Bro. Eli read John 1:18. It stated that the son of God came from His bosom. Christ was not created but he was brought out from the bosom of God. In contrast man was created from dust. Therefore Christ is not man but God, as explained by Bro. Eli.
The debate reached three rounds before it wrapped up. Bro. Eli had no record of being defeated by any religious debate since he started leading the organization, Members Church of God International (MCGI). The recent debate is no different from the previous ones.
In concluding, Bro. Eli addressed his opponent’s hardcore belief, stating sympathy to the opponent’s state and wishing him to have his understanding in the Bible be corrected.
Although there were many incidents and attempts of debates during the live Bible Expositions, the recent debate once again reminded the audience of Bro. Eli’s flair with the Bible.
Bro. Eli, is the only preacher today who could hold programs like “Itanong Mo Kay Soriano” and Bible Exposition series that are dedicated for the audience’s queries with their concerns basically about the Bible and spirituality. For that, he became very much in-demand with his broadcasts both in local and international territories. This also attracts enemies who wanted him down.
Early quarter of 2011, countries like Argentina and India were the most recent additions to the countries where Bro. Eli’s broadcast could be heard through radio and Television programs with the international title of the program “The Old Path.” In India the reception of the audience was overwhelming through letters being sent to the administrators also by the number of the listeners as reported to the congregation during the weekly gathering of MCGI.
The debate that took place is viewable in the YouTube and it became almost viral within the debate-aficionados and followers of Bro. Eli’s broadcast alike.
Bro. Eli is actively preaching over the Internet through live stream broadcast in his web video site, Truthcaster.com and also in his official blog Esoriano.Wordpress.com. He has been in media broadcast for 30 years now and is in his 47th year in leading the MCGI congregation.
15 comments:
That was expected! Bro. Eli has no record of being defeated in a debate, either in the country or abroad.
To God be the glory!
I remember what Bro. Eli said during a Thanksgiving gathering when he recalled his early days of leading the Church. Bro. Eli said that in a debate when a challenger asked him a "difficult" question, his followers had suddenly disappeared. Hiding from the scene of what they thought would put Bro. Eli in his defeat.
However, when they heard him answered the question of the opponent with something new to their ears, one-by-one they reappeared beside him. They cheered and have their faith strengthened after hearing the irrefutable answer he gave.
And here he is now, still undefeated. People from all corners of the world are starting to listen to him, along with his assistant, Bro. Daniel Razon. The preachers of our time who preach the two-edged-sword-like Word.
Just by reading the summary of the debate of ADD vs INC through this article, anyone would firmly believe that Jesus Christ is God!
Yes, Bro. Eli wins as usual!
Well does the folks @ INCM ever learned that their doctrines is totally a failure???
The INC fanatics will resist the truth until the end because they have been blinded by their false church leaders, who always twist biblical truths to mislead their innocent members. May they be enlightened with the truth being preached by Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon before it's too late. Thanks and praise to God Almighty always!
i strongly believe that "ang bayan ng Dios ay hindi mapapahiya magpakailan man". Joel 2:27..Bro Eli Soriano sent by God to spread the gospel unto all nations..no one can stop that because God is in the midst of his people..
I had goosebumps while reading this article :)
I have always been excited to witness debates such as this.. Where can I possibly view it? Has the video been uploaded on Youtube?
That's why he is the fear of all religious leaders because, the moment they come face to face with Bro. Eli in a debate, their organization will be put at stake.
Other preachers who use the Bible for earning a living will surely not dare face Bro. Eli, they will lose huge amount of their income from fooling their prey for many will be enlightened.
Mr.Soriano never experienced a real and official debates with our INC debaters....
He cant stand a bit if he hath experienced that....
not an online debate, coz he can search and cheat it...
we want an official debate... a one on one debate with our debaters....
he'll lose for sure if that happens....
To Anonymous,
Many knows that Bro. Eli has challenged your leaders for a debate and they did not accept it.
If you think that Bro. Eli could cheat you when it is an on-line debate, with more reason that you could do that, the idea having originated from you. Then, why is your organization afraid to have an online debate?
With the wealth your organization have, it is unusual that you yourself could not provide all the means to an on-line debate, or, is it because of the truth that you're afraid of Bro. Eli defeating your leaders right in front of the faces of your members.
@INC Anonymous, it seems you are not able to follow the series of debates of Bro. Eli especially the earlier years.
Bro. Eli had many times debated with your "official" debaters, and many times INC debaters ended up humiliated so they resorted to physical fight.
Why would you like Bro. Eli to have another personal debate with your debaters? So that you could beat him up again physically?
Sorry, but since Bro. Eli's preaching has been heard, INC's deceit and tactics had been revealed.
To Anonymous,
your debaters were all defeated before. It would be much better if your so-called leader step out and face Bro. Eli Soriano.
Unfortunately, your Brother Manalo will never come out of his palace to face Brother Eli
You want an official debate, then bring out your leader. Bro Eli has been challenging your leader ever since Mr. Eranio was still alive. But did Eranio answered? NO. For sure,Eduardo will have the same answer.
@ INC member there
You may challenge an ADD OIC or MIC on a debate in location that both sides are safe. make sure that all sides can record it so no alibis will happen if either the 2 of you lost.
even Soriano has a doubtful manhood, I never believe that he is a gay rapist that your beloved cult is spreading.
- Born Again Man
So dumb. How bro eli be a cheater by searching in internet? besides the internet itself does not have a wisdom like bro eli's had already which makes him stand out and he can strongly proved of what is the truth about the topics they discussed in every debate he fought ... Tss moron
----another anonymous but not moron
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