It was in one debate with the INC when Bro. Eli almost came face-to-face with death. One fanatic member of the 1913-founded Church of Christ, who would not accept defeat of their camp, poked an ice pick on Bro. Eli’s lower back and threatened him of being killed if he would continue his attacks on the teachings of the INC. Thankfully to God, someone dragged Bro. Eli out of the improvised stage that was able to escape death.

The violence and terror that these enemies of truth would like to sow is a mere plot in saving their faces from sheer embarrassment, but clear proofs that they were not given by God the mouth and wisdom that a preacher of God possesses. Luke 21:13-15 says – “And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.”

In his foray in radio and television, several debates with other religious organizations eventuated. Bro. Eli’s popularity rose further in the mainstream airwaves. Some challengers would storm the studio of the program, The Old Path, to directly, on live television, arrange a formal debate with Bro. Eli. Some debate-format television programs in the Philippines started to notice too. Bro. Eli was often tapped to be a guest-debater in the now-defunct Bob Garon Debates aired in the then RPN-9 and Mare at Pare’s Debate over GMA-7 then.

Through the years, debate calls by preachers, pastors and ministers of other religious denominations to challenge Bro. Eli has had one end, which has become rather predictable, that is – the defeat of his opponent. It is no wonder that even leaders of influential religions in the Philippines today dare not debate with Bro. Eli.

One debate challenge that the fearless preacher opened up is for a one-on-one televised doctrinal confrontation with the Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo. The debate call is meant to finally close all forms of legal harassments, character assassination and underground attacks being instigated by the INC to Bro. Eli. The Old Path preacher believes that a person-to-person debate in national television will finally prove to people who have doctrines and teachings that are true and undefiled. Until today, Manalo has never accepted the call.

In the different debates that Bro. Eli participated in, many people’s minds were opened. People have come to realize that they were only being used by their pastors for the latter’s own interests. These people would later join the Church of God shepherded by Bro. Eli Soriano.