~~ In Favor of Argument ~~

So many people think that it is wrong to ‘argue�?the Scriptures. But this is a false notion. It is very Scriptural to argue for the truth of the Word. So, because of so many being uneasy about this, I decided to bring forth the Word on this subject.

An English dictionary meaning of PERSUADE--- To move by argument, entreaty, or expostulation to a belief, position, or course of action. To plead with urge.

ARGUE: --- Give reasons for or against something. #2---to contend or disagree in words--dispute-- to persuade by giving reasons.

ARGUMENT; Quarrel, disagreement.

Strong’s Dictionary on PERSUADE---#3982(gk)---- To convince by argument true or false.

CONTEND; (Eng. D.) #1---struggle- to strive in debate: argue.

Strong’s on dissension--#4714(Greek)--- Controversy (uproar).

Eng. D. on dissension--- esp. partisan & contentious quarreling.

DISPUTATION; action of disputing verbal controversy. #2. Provoking debate.

Now that is enough ‘meanings�? This is the Scripture on it.

(In order to shorten the message, I will only give the verses and partial quotes)

11Cor. 5:11---...we PERSUADE men...

The reason this is important is to help all find the truth---Heb.10: 31---It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Act 15:1-7---Acts 15

1. And certain men who came down from Judea 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.

3. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

4. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

5. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

6. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

7. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

This shows the apostles having large amounts of ‘dispute, quarreling, and disputation with each other over keeping the Law of Moses.

Job 23:1-7----A righteous man can come to God’s seat and dispute with him---v6&7---this brings us strength and deliverance from him.

Acts 9:29--- 29. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

Paul spake bodly in Jesus Name and disputed against the Grecians.

Acts 17:17--- Paul disputed in the synagogue with Jews and devout persons and in the market daily.

Acts 6:9---Shows Stephen disputing in the synagogue with quite a few people.

Acts 19:8-- 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.

-Shows Paul disputing in the synagogue for three months and DAILY disputing in that school. Now this proves that Paul debated -- augured--disputed every single day to try to persuade people of the truth.

It is important to do these things IF you know the truth. To say that debating and disputing is wrong** would be to accuse Paul of evil. And also it would be to call the Word of God a lie, for that is what we are reading which says to dispute, argue, debate every day.

V9---shows him disputing daily in a school.

V10---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.

Now, see that Paul’s disputing daily for two years in that school and synagogues resulted in all them in Asia hearing the gospel. So, I draw from that that it must be a very good thing to dispute (argue) the word with people.

CONTEND: Eng. D. ---#1.struggle --to strive in debate: argue.

Jude 3: Ye should earnestly CONTEND for the faith once delivered to the saints

Micah 6:1---The Lord saith: arise and CONTEND before Mt. and hills. (See even in the OT. They were told to contend for the Word.  It is a command.

Acts 11:2--- And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem they that were of the circumcision CONTENDED with him.

Then Peter told them just how it happened. He contended right back.

Acts 15:39---And the CONTENTION was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

Here are two great men of God, Paul and Barnabas, arguing so hard with each other over Mark, that they separated from each other. But, as we see in the Word, this was the will of God; for Paul and Silas did a great work together.

Nehemiah 13:11---Then contended I with the rulers, Why is the house of God forsaken?

V17---Then I CONTENDED with the nobles of JUDAH, and said What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath day?

V25---And I CONTENDED with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.  [wow.  Nahemiah, you sure are being a bad boy;  these people today will call you of the devil.]

Here, again in the OT. We find that men of God CONTENDED for what they knew to be true. In v 25---we find that Nehemiah even resorted to some little bit of violence over their marrying heathens.

So, I conclude from all this that it is not only all right, but also necessary for us to ‘argue�?for the faith once delivered to the saints.

By: Jo Smith

p.s.  Upon this message, I rest my case.  It is RIGHT to argur for the truth.  It is necessary.  Now let those you claim it is wrong, take the Word and prove it.

If you say it is wrong, then, all these men of God in the Word, were wrong and the Word is teaching us wrong stuff!