The Bible does not give one person authority to govern a local church.

Well, now I must apologize to the readers of this debate for having invited a crazy person to the party. You know, that guy who someone invites that ends up getting drunk and breaking everything, running through the neighborhood naked. Well, that's my opponent, apparently, for this particular debate. Let's dive right into the shallow water: FAILURE TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE TO PROVE HIS POINT The opponent has failed to prove that he understand the Bible, never mind actually proving his side of the debate. There not much to argue about the ACTUAL topic, so let me try and focus it on the little there is. PEOPLE BLINDLY FOLLOWING PAUL Believers did not blindly follow Paul. It is a matter of common knowledge that some of the churches had issues with Paul. Some did not like his style at all. Neither did some of the apostles. So, no, I don't need to be "following" anyone by the Holy Spirit, according to Jesus Himself. EXAMPLES OF JESUS/PETER, PETER/PAUL Jesus was Peter's leader. Jesus is EVERYONE'S leader. Paul was NOT Peter's leader, therefore was not exerting ANY level of authority over Peter in rebuking him. He was using his own authority as a believer, which Peter could have also done. Once again, failure to show how one man is appointed as leader over a local assembly. Only that believers individually have authority, except over Christ. "LAYERS WITHIN THE CHURCH" The Bible talks of no such layers. You are making all of this up and it is absolutely disturbing. The scriptures make NO SUCH DISTINCTION between the classes of people you are talking about. You are apparently classifying yourself as the third kind. How absolutely disturbing. I know the Holy Spirit VERY well, and have a wonderful relationship with Christ. You have failed to prove otherwise, yet you claim this as a basis for your argument. EXAMPLES OF PAUL GIVING "COMMANDS FROM GOD" Paul did not issue commandments. Paul had no authority to do so. He taught principles. He taught doctrine. He passed on the doctrine of the apostles. Paul was passing on the teachings, not making up new ones, as he had no authority to do so. So, these "commands" are not from Paul at all. They are from Christ. He makes that clear when he states, "yet not I but the Lord". YOUR JOB TO THE WORLD Unfortunately, you are wrong again. You "job" is not to spew your brand of misinterpretation and pass it off as "truth". There are a few signs of how errant you are: 1. You state that I do not know God. Yet, do not know that in any way. I happen to know God very well. 2. You state that I am not saved. Yet, you do not know that in any way and I am by every scriptural definition and spiritual evidence. 3. You state that I do not know how the Holy Spirit works. Yet, you don"t know that in any way and I happen to have worked with the Holy Spirit all my life. 4. You state that everyone has accepted the corrupt version of Christ. Yet, you do not know what version of Christ everyone has accepted. So, you are errant, arrogant, and wrong. 5. You state that you are the "only person at this point that is able to teach" me the "right way to follow Christ". That has proven to be false. You are not the Holy Spirit and are now bordering on antichrist behavior. 6. You state that I am guaranteed a place in hell for wasting my opportunity to have you "teach". This is untrue according to scripture. Frankly, go to hell. OPPONENT: "You can read the bible a million times, study it a million hours and you will still get it wrong if you are using your own corrupt mind to understand it and you are not being taught by an actually person of God" Absolute dung. The Church did not have the scriptures for over 300 years. The scriptures were kept from the people for hundreds more. Yet, the Holy Spirit still preserved His church. You are a heretic, by every sense of the word. UNRELATED DIALOGUE & NONSENSE At this point in the debate, there is no actual exchange of information. You are making ridiculous statements about people who don't listen to YOU SPECIFICALLY going to hell, resigning from positions, and not knowing what they are doing. At 27 years old, you are a heretic and a slanderer. I fear for the well-being of anyone you are pastoring. I fear that you will be the next Jim Jones. How terrible. I'm actually struggling to tell whether you are being serious in this debate or not. It's so over the top.