First and Second Admonition
Titus 3: 9-10 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
We see Paul calls a person who debates scriptures, argues/creates conflict a heretic (one who twists scriptures for their own benefit)!
If one sees Paul himself with Barnabas debated Jewish Christians who claimed, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved”. In Athens, Paul reasoned in the synagogues with Jews and God-fearing Greeks, and daily in the marketplace. Paul debated Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, famously using the altar dedicated “To the Unknown God” to preach about the resurrection and the true Creator. Paul also spent three months in the synagogue in Ephesus boldly debating and arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God before facing heavy opposition.
Was Paul being a hypocrite, paradoxical, one who contradicts oneself?
One needs to read in Scripture that Paul mentions the purpose of debating: if it is not profitable, something that edifies, then it is questionable. It is not only what one talks about but also with whom one talks matters. One cannot debate a wall; stiff-necked, deaf ears, hardened heart, it will profit no one, instead cause damage.
Let us realise the knowledge and understanding of the Bible is precious, and like Jesus said, not for pigs (those who do not discern). Although the animal has a larger nose than many other animals, it cannot discern what it eats. So we should not go by people’s education, status or their profile but by their heart. Let us not throw pearls before them; if we continue to do so, then we will become a heretic.
[Prayer Starter]
Lord, You are Almighty God. You, Lord, are Truth. Knowledge and Understanding that comes from You are more precious than gold and precious gems. Lord, we pray we realise the value of Your Word and know to whom, how and when to share it…
This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Acts 15:1-2
1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 17:16-17
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.
Acts 17:22-31
Acts 19:8-10
8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
Dated 24 July 2026
Bro Rollwyn