Did Jesus mean that we should never refer to our earthly father as 'father' (Matthew 23:9)? Is it wrong for Catholics to refer to their priests as 'father'?
Matthew 23:9
ESV - 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
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Asked July 01 2013
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Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Pam Johnson
Yes, it is absolutely wrong for anyone to call a man of God "Father". Jesus was very clear! We have only one Father and that is our Father in heaven. And there is absolutely no one on earth that deserves stealing any of God's glory from Him. God is the creator and sustainer of all things. He is Father.
juanita Flennory
I agree with every answer so far. The titles Father, Master or rabbi should never be used in reference to any human being over you ruling you, except God himself. To be plain and simple, Jesus dealt with three religions; catholic, Judaism under the mosaic law, and Buddhism. Which to me, God is just reiterating that Jesus is the only way to salvation
If there are any religions that require you to call a human man by these titles, it's a big No No. If the philosophy, principles, or teachings of any religion opposes the word of God, you shouldn't be in it.
The good news and bad news is that, no matter, what every man has a free will to choose life or death. Jesus is the only way to because He is salvation. Jesus specifically states 'I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the father but by me' Jn 14:5-6. We need to be sure we are not choosing any religion that does not have Jesus as the primary and only source to the way of salvation.
The Hebrew word for salvation where God says, 'I will show you my salvation' is the word Yeshuwah or Jesus Ps. 91:16 hebrew word Yeshuwah no.3444 in the strongs concordance. and root word 3467 Yasha. Whenever the word salvation is used in the old testament when its not being used as a prepositional object, God himself says 'Yeshuwah' or Jesus is His salvation so there should never be a question as to how to get to God He himself tells us what His salvation is His only begotten Son.
juanita Flennory
Matt. 17:1-5 On the mountain where Jesus was transfigured, Peter, as usual, puts his foot in his mouth once again. When Moses and Elias appear to Jesus to speak with him, Peter says to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou will, let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias'. While he is still speaking, God himself brings a bright cloud and overshadowed them: and cuts him off in the middle of speaking. God says, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
This is what God is saying: hear Jesus. Peter tries to put Moses and Elias on the same level as Jesus. Moses represents the Mosaic law and Elias represents the prophets and God says only hear him; not Moses, not Elias, only Jesus. Mtt.11:13, Lk. 16:16, Lk. 24:44 and Lk. 24:27
First off the law and the prophets prophesied until John. After John there is no more to hear, because all the prophets and Moses were trying to convey to us was God's salvation. Every word pointed to Jesus and the finished work He accomplished. This is the person who they were talking about, every word spoken, was about Jesus, because the whole book was written about Him. Jesus said 'I come in the volume of the book for it is written of me'. Ps. 40:7; Heb. 10:7. This is the finish work Yeshuwah no.3444 in heb. Something saved, i.e.deliverance; hence, aid victory, prosperity: deliverance health, help salvation, saving (health), welfare. In the famous word of God, hear Jesus only. Look up 3467 rt.wd
James Kraft
When we are born into this world our father and mother will always be our father and mother. That can never change.
When we are born again, Ephesians 1:13-14, God becomes our heavenly Father. John 1:12. We become the children of God.
The new birth did not eradicate the first birth. We are still a child of our earthly parents. But now we are also the children of God by the new birth.
Now we have two natures. Our sinful nature by our first birth, and a new sinless nature by the second birth. That is why we still have trouble in the flesh. Romans 7. Sins of commission and sins of omission. Romans 8. But nothing can separate us from the love of God. Colossians 2:13 He has forgiven us all trespasses.
So, our first birth did not get changed. It is still our first birth. Our second birth cannot sin. First John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doeth not commit sin, For His seed, (the Holy Spirit) remaineth in him, and He (the Holy Spirit) cannot sin, because he is born of God.
But our old nature still does. First John 1:8. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the TRUTH is not in us. We are all sinners to a degree because we are not made perfect in the flesh, only in the spirit. Romans 8:9. Without the Spirit there is no salvation. With the Spirit we have eternal life. Ephesians 4:30. And grieve not the Holy Spirit in whom ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. The rapture of the church.