Jehovah's Witnesses?

Question

Does the Bible contradict itself here, please help:

Jesus states in Matthew 23:9 - And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.

Then, in 1 corinthians 4: 15 Paul says:
Even if you should have countless guides to Christ, yet you do not have many fathers, for I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

So here Paul is calling himself a father to the 1st century christians? Didn't Jesus say that nobody should be called father?

Also paul keeps calling 1st century christians "My beloved children" in his letters.

Answer 1

When You HAVE Jehovah's VERY, VERY, POWERFUL Holy Spirit; the Bible NEVER "Seems" 2 Contradict Itself ! ! !

Answer 2

No. The Bible does not contradict itself. Read and note the context of Matthew 23:1-12. Jesus begins speaking about the Pharisees, who were a prominent sect of Judaism. They were legalists, sticklers for observance of every detail of the Mosaic Law. They liked to dress and act in such a way as to call attention to themselves. Their religion was one of ostentation—their style of clothing, their principal places at meals, their front seats in the synagogues, and their titles of honor. They even claimed greater respect than that which was given parents. They wanted to be called father. However, Jesus shows that all his followers are equal as God’s children. Any title that suggests the opposite is a haughty usurpation of something that belongs to God. Thus, Jesus forbids the use of the word “father” as a title of honor in a religious sense. Jesus insists that his followers have only one Father in the faith, Jehovah.

To defend the use of “Father” for priests the Catholic clergy claim that a priest becomes a spiritual father when he baptizes a person. They point to one particular scripture as authority for disregarding Jesus’ explicit command. This scripture is Paul’s statement to the Corinthians: “For although you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet you have not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, through the gospel, did I beget you.” (1 Cor. 4:15) Was Paul here telling the Corinthian Christians to begin addressing him as “Father Paul”? Obviously not! Nowhere in the Bible is he ever called “Father Paul.” Peter called him “our beloved brother Paul.” (2 Pet. 3:15) Unlike Catholic priests Paul did not claim to have become a spiritual father by reason of having baptized someone. As he himself says, he did very little baptizing. (1 Cor. 1:13-16) But it was by virtue of Paul’s being the first one to instruct the Corinthians in the truth of God’s Word that he begot them through the gospel.

Answer 3

The verse in Matthew is talking about putting someone else above God in your lives, or any false gods. Paul while writing this letter to the corinthians was talking about his position appointed to him by Jesus, head of the christian congregation, to be an instructor to the corinthians. Notice it is "the Father", talking about God in Matthew, and in Corinthians it is "father". Two different contexts.

Answer 4

Jesus is talking about religious titles:

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. 11 But the greatest one among YOU must be YOUR minister. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

In Corinthians, Paul is talking about his love and guidance to the congregation.

He also uses the expression 'as a nursing Mother'

He was not telling those in Corinth to call him Father Paul.

You won't find any scriptures that refer to anyone with a title before their name.

You will find 'Paul an apostle', but you will not find the Apostle Paul.

When Paul talked about Peter (Cephas) and Peter talked about Paul

You will NOT find them using the expression "Pastor Paul" or
"Pastor Peter"

The words Pastor, Elder, Teacher when used in the bible to discribe the disciples are used as 'job discriptions' and not titles.

.

Answer 5

No, the Bible is NOT contradicting itself.

Paul had become very much a father-figure to so many Believers in the early church, & he almost did regard all the Believers like his children.

He is NOT saying that he wants to take over, the posistion of their fathers.

Answer 6

I can answer this with a modern day example.

I have gone into restaurants and the waitress calls me "Honey" or "sweetie", does that mean she is someone I know and love? Does that mean we know each other? No, it doesn't, it's just an endearment to show friendliness. That's the same thing with Paul, he was just using those phrases for endearment, not because he meant he was their father, or that they should call him father.

Answer 7

Jesus was clearly condemning the use of religious titles with his words at Matthew chapter 23. Jesus' specific instruction to refrain from using "Father" as a religious title has nothing to do with the terms of endearment between a child and parent, or between an older man of experience and younger persons. Similarly, the term "rabbi" (or "teacher") has its place, but never as a religious title.

(Matthew 23:1-12) Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying: 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses [as though anointed by God]. ...5 All the works they do they do to be viewed by men... 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. 11 But the greatest one among you must be your minister. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20020101/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_07.htm
http://jw-media.org/people/worship.htm

Answer 8

For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
That is the King James Version. The KJV is the only officially correct version of the bible. Paul is saying here that they should imitate Him with regards to their relationship with God. There were people who would gather around and say I follow Paul, I follow Apollos, etc. and Paul would tell them to say in effect God is our Father and we follow Him. Paul speaks also of himself as a spiritual mentor fathering the people, not to take the name Father as in to take God's place.

Answer 9

TeeM spoke correctly.
Ishmael spoke well.
If I put my answer in mind,
it would just be an echo.

well except,
when I speak of the man
whom impregnated my mother,
Norm I call him "my earthly father."
Bc that's what he is.
He's not my dad.
We don't have that relationship.
The only Father I have is the best 1 Any1 could have,
Jehovah.
ur sis,
Bambi

Answer 10

your taking the words father and children out of biblical context. but yes to someone that isnt very educated on the bible that would sound very contradicting i agree with you.