Definition and Context:
Disputation refers to a formalized debate or argumentation, often involving theological or doctrinal issues. In the biblical context, disputation can be seen as a method of clarifying truth, defending the faith, or resolving conflicts within the early Christian community. It involves reasoned arguments and discussions, often with the aim of reaching a deeper understanding of God's Word and His will.

Biblical Instances of Disputation:

1. Jesus and the Pharisees:
Jesus frequently engaged in disputations with the Pharisees and other religious leaders of His time. These interactions often centered around interpretations of the Law and the nature of God's kingdom. For example, in Matthew 22:15-22, the Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus responds with wisdom, saying, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s" .

2. Paul in the Synagogues:
The Apostle Paul is noted for his disputations in the synagogues as he spread the Gospel. Acts 17:2-3 describes how Paul reasoned with the Jews from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. This method of disputation was crucial in persuading both Jews and Greeks of the truth of the Gospel.

3. The Jerusalem Council:
A significant example of disputation in the early church is the Jerusalem Council, as recorded in Acts 15. The council was convened to resolve the issue of whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to observe the Mosaic Law. After much debate, Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James contributed to the discussion, leading to a decision that emphasized faith in Christ over legalistic observance.

4. Apollos and the Jews:
Apollos, a learned man and eloquent speaker, engaged in public disputation with the Jews in Achaia. Acts 18:28 states, "For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ" . Apollos' disputations were instrumental in strengthening the faith of believers and challenging the misconceptions of non-believers.

Theological Implications:

Disputation, when conducted with humility and a sincere desire for truth, can be a powerful tool for edification and evangelism. It allows for the testing of doctrines and the sharpening of theological understanding. The Bible encourages believers to be prepared to give a reason for their hope (1 Peter 3:15) and to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 1:3).

Guidelines for Disputation:

1. Seek Wisdom and Understanding:
Proverbs 4:7 emphasizes the importance of wisdom: "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding" . Disputation should be grounded in a deep understanding of Scripture and a reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance.

2. Maintain a Spirit of Love and Respect:
Ephesians 4:15 instructs believers to speak the truth in love. Disputation should not devolve into personal attacks or divisiveness but should aim to build up the body of Christ.

3. Focus on Christ-Centered Truth:
The ultimate goal of any theological disputation should be to glorify Christ and uphold the truth of the Gospel. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:2, "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" .

Conclusion:
While disputation can be a valuable means of exploring and defending the faith, it must always be approached with a heart aligned with God's purposes, seeking unity and truth within the body of Christ.1. (n.) A reasoning or argumentation in opposition to something, or on opposite sides; controversy in words; verbal contest respecting the truth of some fact, opinion, proposition, or argument.

2. (n.) A rhetorical exercise in which parties reason in opposition to each other on some question proposed.

DISPUTATION

dis-pu-ta'-shun: In Acts 15:2, the Revised Version (British and American) reads "questioning" for the King James Version "disputation" (Greek suzetesis). In Romans 14:1, the King James Version "doubtful disputations" becomes in the Revised Version (British and American) "decision of scruples" (Greek diakriseis dialogismon, literally, "discussions of doubts"). The Greek in neither case implies what the word "dispute" has come to mean in modern English, but rather "to discuss" or "argue."

4803. suzetesis -- disputation
... disputation. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: suzetesis Phonetic
Spelling: (sood-zay'-tay-sis) Short Definition: mutual questioning, disputation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4803.htm - 6k

4981. schole -- leisure, hence disputation (that for which leisure ...
... leisure, hence disputation (that for which leisure is used), by ext. ... word Definition
leisure, hence disputation (that for which leisure is used), by ext. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4981.htm - 6k

1253. diakrisis -- the act of judgment
... discerning, disputation. From diakrino; judicial estimation -- discern(-ing),
disputation. see GREEK diakrino. (diakriseis) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1253.htm - 7k

3055. logomachia -- a strife of words
... a dispute about words. From the same as logomacheo; disputation about trifles
("logomachy") -- strife of words. see GREEK logomacheo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3055.htm - 6k

The Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes
The Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes. <. The Acts of the
Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes Archelaus. Translated by the Rev. ...
/.../archelaus/the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/

The True Thesaurus; to Wit, the Disputation Conducted in Carchar.. ...
The Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes. <. ... 1 The TRUE
Thesaurus; to wit, the Disputation conducted in Carchar? ...
/.../1 the true thesaurus to.htm

That from the Disputation of Varro, it Follows that the ...
... Book VI. Chapter 4."That from the Disputation of Varro, It Follows that the Worshippers
of the Gods Regard Human Things as More Ancient Than Divine Things. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 4 that from the disputation.htm

Disputation Begun.
... Book II. Chapter XIX."Disputation Begun. And Niceta answered: "When he
perceived that we had found him out, having spoken to one ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xix disputation begun.htm

Acts or Disputation against Fortunatus, the Manich??an.
... Acts or Disputation Against Fortunatus, the Manich??an. [Acta Seu Disputatio Contra
Fortunatum Manich??um.] ad392. [221] Disputation of the First Day. ...
/.../acts or disputation against fortunatus.htm

St. Augustin: Acts or Disputation against Fortunatus the ...
... St. AUGUSTIN: acts or disputation against fortunatus the manich??an. [acta seu
disputatio contra fortunatum manich??um]. AD392. translated by. ...
/.../st augustin acts or disputation.htm

The Disputation of Nebridius against the Manich??ans, on the ...
... Book VII. Chapter II."The Disputation of Nebridius Against the Manich??ans, on
the Question "Whether God Be Corruptible or Incorruptible.". ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter ii the disputation of nebridius.htm

On Theology
... DISPUTATION I ON THEOLOGY. As we are about again to commence our course of
theological disputations under the auspices of our gracious ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation i on theology.htm

On the Predestination of the Means to the End
... DISPUTATION XLI ON THE PREDESTINATION OF THE MEANS TO THE END. After we
have finished our discussion on the predestination by which ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xli on the predestination.htm

On the Sufficiency and Perfection of the Holy Scriptures In
... DISPUTATION 3 ON THE SUFFICIENCY AND PERFECTION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
IN. OPPOSITION TO HUMAN TRADITIONS RESPONDENT: DE COIGNEE. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 3 on the sufficiency.htm

Disputation (2 Occurrences)
... proposed. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DISPUTATION. dis-pu ... argue.".
Multi-Version Concordance Disputation (2 Occurrences). Acts 15 ...
/d/disputation.htm - 8k

Dispute (37 Occurrences)
... debate; to altercate; to wrangle. 2. (vt) To make a subject of disputation;
to argue pro and con; to discuss. 3. (vt) To oppose by ...
/d/dispute.htm - 17k

Magus
... This disputation lasts for three days, Simon maintaining that there are two gods,
and that the God of the Old Testament is an imperfect being. ...
/m/magus.htm - 23k

Opponent (13 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) One who opposes in a disputation, argument, or other verbal controversy;
specifically, one who attacks some theirs or proposition, in distinction from ...
/o/opponent.htm - 10k

Jangling (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Jangle. 2. (a.) Producing discordant sounds. 3. (n.) Idle
babbling; vain disputation. 4. (n.) Wrangling; altercation. Int. ...
/j/jangling.htm - 7k

Response (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of responding. 2. (n.) An answer or
reply. 3. (n.) Reply to an objection in formal disputation. ...
/r/response.htm - 10k

Doubt (49 Occurrences)
... Version (British and American). See also DISPUTATION. James M. Gray.
Multi-Version Concordance Doubt (49 Occurrences). Matthew 14:31 ...
/d/doubt.htm - 24k

Dissension (18 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation
with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them ...
/d/dissension.htm - 11k

Disputations (1 Occurrence)

/d/disputations.htm - 6k

Determined (89 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation
with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them ...
/d/determined.htm - 33k

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