While then still being trained as Worker by Nicolas Perez during the mid-1960s, Bro. Eli would visit Plaza Miranda in Manila to witness the nightly exchange of debates there. The Plaza staged his early exposure in defending the Bible’s truthfulness and authenticity against those who bashed it. The popularity of the young preacher immediately spread like fire among the other men who frequented the nightly gatherings. All these engagements were not known to the old Perez.

Soon, Perez discovered that Bro. Eli has become a regular debater in Plaza Miranda. Perez reprimanded him, telling him that the truths he learned in the Bible are like precious pearls and should not be wasted and not be trampled by these people who are only fond of heckling. Unlike Bro. Eli whose sincere heart only wanted the Truth and the undefiled Word of God be proclaimed, these men are out only to become popular, which mark is mark of fools.

Since then, Bro. Eli, who has a willing and ready heart to accept and learn from the advice of the old Perez, no longer returned to Plaza Miranda. His mentor’s words immediately instilled in him the discipline that any defender of faith should possess as prescribed by the Bible for true men of God.

Even then, the old Perez had immense trust in God’s providence to Bro. Eli that he would send the young man to be the official defender or debater of the Church to those who would challenge their faith. In his early years as Worker in the Church, Bro. Eli was sent to several debates by Perez and would not miss a time that he would emerge the declared winner. Most debates were held in various towns in Pampanga, the province which Perez had assigned the young preacher to oversee.

When Bro. Eli became Presiding Minister of the Church of God, the debate challenges continued to increase. Others would try debates just to have a taste of what it feels like to be debating with the preacher. Many a times, brethren and spectators to these debates proved and testified that Bro. Eli Soriano is a true God-sent messenger in these last days. Up to this day, he remains unbeatable, and his defenses and arguments are hard to break and destroy.

Bro. Eli has had debates with the INC, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Haligi’t Suhay (Pillar and Brace), the Seventh Day Adventist, Catholics, baptists, and other Born Again Christian and Evangelical groups.