Bible only people: Did St. Paul not say in 1 Corinthians 4:15 that he had become their Father in Christ?

Question

So why the big deal against Catholics who call their pastors Father as in a Spiritual Father in Christ just like Paul was?

You have not made any sense. The argument about calling someone Father is moot. Jesus was talking about calling humans Father but our Father in Heaven through the Communion of Saints is in these people that we call Father. Didn't Jesus say the Kingdom of God is within you? Jesus and the Father are one as we and Jesus are one. Wasn't this a prayer of Jesus? Who shall we belive you or Jesus?

Answer 1

Because these people did not go around calling Paul "Father"...it was symbolic....as he was an example to them and a teacher.

Answer 2

Jesus was talking about religious titles at

Matt chapter 23.1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying: 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. 3 Therefore all the things they tell YOU, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but do not perform. 4 They bind up heavy loads and put them upon the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger. 5 All the works they do they do to be viewed by men; for they broaden the [scripture-containing] cases that they wear as safeguards, and enlarge the fringes [of their garments]. 6 They like the most prominent place at evening meals and the front seats in the synagogues, 7 and the greetings in the marketplaces and to be called Rabbi by men. 8 But YOU, do not YOU be called Rabbi, for one is YOUR teacher, whereas all YOU are brothers. 9 Moreover, do not call anyone YOUR father on earth, for one is YOUR Father, the heavenly One. 10 Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for YOUR Leader is one, the Christ.

Yes there are many in the bible called father. But they are not religious titles.

We have one leader Jesus, one Heavenly Father, Jehovah.

Paul did not even go by "Apostle Paul"

Notice Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle, neither from men nor through a man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father,

Yes, even though Paul was an apostle, he didn't use it as a religious title.

No where in the bible do you read, "Pastor Timothty, Father Paul or Minister Peter said or did anything.

Answer 3

Just to show the difference, the apostles didn't make people kiss a ring on their fingers like the higher church leaders of today do.

Paul, like the rest of the apostles probably would not care to be called 'Saint'.
Yes, Paul was a 'Father in Christ', but as shown in the Bible, he was not called that.
Church leaders want glory like the Pharisees and the Sadducee's of Jesus' time. A low quality that Christ detested about them

Answer 4

#1. priests and nuns are forbidden to marry...1 Corinthians 3rd chapter
#2. catholics were forbidden to eat meat on fridays....as long as meat was properly bled it was ok to eat it anytime.
#3. we are not to say prayers by rote..as in the hail mary...the rosary....but to talk to God as our father....
#4. catholics have gotten into politics when Jesus said to stay separate from the world
#5. women are to keep silent in the congregation..but you have women doing the mass.
#6, do not be calling anyone father on earth.....Paul was talking about teaching babes in the truth and he being an elder or father of children or new ones in the religion..he went to these newly formed congregations although the men around tried to kill him many times..he said he would do God's will and take care of the flock as if he were their father loving his children..he would not abandon them.

Answer 5

Excellent observation and to go a step farther call no one but God
doctor. It wasn't meant to be taken literally or else we wouldn't be allowed to call our earthy fater, father or anybody with a PHD
doctor. A little common sense goes a long way.

Answer 6

Esther hit the nail on the head. Paul did not advocate them calling him "Father." He was merely reminding them who he was in their faith.

And if there were a difference between what Paul says, and what Jesus says (there isn't, btw) then I'd go with Jesus.

As it is written: "And don't call anyone on earth 'Father,' for you have only one Father, the one in heaven." (Matthew 23:9)

Answer 7

The big deal occured whern the reformers abolished the priesthood, and they have done violence to the bible, history, beliefs, and practices of the Church's 2000 year traditon. A runaway will claim to have no parents.


Judges 17:10; 18:19 - priesthood and fatherhood have always been identified together. Fatherhood literally means "communicating one's nature," and just as biological fathers communicate their nature to their children, so do spiritual fathers communicate the nature of God to us, their children, through (hopefully) teaching and example.

Matt. 3:9; Luke 3:8 - Jesus refers to Abraham as our "father."

Mark 11:10 - the people cried out blessed is the kingdom of our "father" David that is coming!

Luke 1:32 - God's angel says Jesus will be great and be given the throne of his "father" David.

Luke 1:55 - Mary says that He spoke to our "fathers," to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.

Luke 1:73 - Zechariah says the oath which he swore to our "father" Abraham.

Luke 16:24,30 - Jesus, in His parable about the rich man, says our "father" Abraham.

John 4:12 - the Samaritan woman asks Jesus if He is greater than our "father" Jacob.

John 7:22 - Jesus refers to the "fathers" who gave the Jews the practice of circumcision.

John 8:56 - Jesus tells the Jews your "Father" Abraham rejoiced that he was to see my day.

Acts 3:13,25; 5:30 - Peter teaches that the God of our "fathers" glorified His servant Jesus and raised Him to life.

Acts 4:25 - Peter and John pray to God and refer to our "father" David.

Acts 7:11-12, 15,19,38,44-45,51-52 - Stephen refers to our "fathers" in the faith.

Acts 7:32 - Stephen calls God the God of our "fathers."

Acts 13:17,32,36; 24:14; 26:6; 28:17,25 - Paul also refers to the God of our "fathers" in the faith.

Acts 22:3 - Paul says he was educated according to the strict law of our "fathers."

Acts 22:14 - Ananias says the God of our "fathers."

Rom. 4:1 - Paul calls Abraham our "forefather."

Rom. 4:16-17 - Paul says that Abraham is the "father" of us all and the "father" of many nations.

Rom. 9:10 - Paul calls Isaac, a spiritual leader, our "forefather."

1 Cor. 10:1 - Paul says that our "fathers" were all under the cloud, referring to the Old Testament spiritual leaders.

Gal. 1:14 - Paul says that he was zealous for the tradition of his "fathers."

2 Tim. 1:3 - Paul thanks God whom he serves with a clear conscience as did his "fathers" in faith.

Heb. 1:1 - the author says God spoke of old to our "fathers."

Heb. 3:9 - the Holy Spirit says that your "fathers" put me to the test.

Heb. 8:9 - God says not like the covenant that I made with their "fathers."

James 2:21 - James says was not our "father" Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac?

1 Peter 1:18 - Peter says you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your "fathers."

2 Peter 3:4 - Peter says ever since the "fathers" fell asleep, all things have continued as they were from the beginning.

Answer 8

Exactly!!!! Thank you Midge!!!

God bless,
Stanbo