Proof

Why do Christians insist on basing their faith entirely on the Bible?

For an online marketer to convince others that his business is legitimate, he needs to show proof of his earnings.

Likewise, to justify our faith, we neither read or hear it from a servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God by quoting to us the written word of God as proof and so we may never contradict nor resist.

Isaiah 34:16 “ Search from the book of the LORD, and read: Not one of these shall fail; Not one shall lack her mate. For My mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them.

It is a complete arsenal for the man of God and no other books or references of any source may be used whatsoever .

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The word of God is also our basis to test the spirit of prophets who come to us and preach.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Just take note of their doctrines for it is in the teachings that we may know them.

John 7:17-18 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.

Looking at the signs above, they ask, where's your God now? I said, It is Him, the dont's , the no's and the prohibitions. Those are the signs I saw when I think of leaving Him because I have nowhere to go.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

The Father

Take note that an existing law may be re-affirmed, superseded or changed to a more appropriate law. It is a transition from the law of Moses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Luke 16:16 “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.

There was an instance in the Bible where the Prophets like Abraham are called Father in the Old Testament. This is one justification used by Catholics why they are called Father.

John 8:53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”

And Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples and to scribes and the Pharisees saying:

Matthew 23:9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

Above is a good example of a change in law but below was a superseded law.

Deuteronomy 14:8 Also the swine is unclean for you, because it has cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud; you shall not eat their flesh or touch their dead carcasses.

This is the new law.

Matthew 15:16-17 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?

Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man.

Acts 11:7-9 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’

Now the priests want to justify their position saying.

Let us not concentrate in one aspect only which is the word Father because there are three that must be considered for us to be holistic in our thinking.

1) do not let yourself be called MASTER

2) Do not call anyone on earth your FATHER

3) …nor should you be called TEACHER

Matthew 23:9-11 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

There was no law in the entire Bible especially the new testament that the prohibition of calling anyone a father was superseded.

But for the Master and the Teacher is this;

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

As the Scripture said, God has appointed them. Who are we to question it?

As Paul said to his letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 4:14-15 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

This is not like a father and son relationship where when your son begotten a son then you are the grandfather and when the grandson begotten a son then you are the great grandfather. If we are not allowed to call anyone a Father then logically we are all sons of the Father or just brothers. Isn't it that they call Jesus Christ "bro" or brother?

The word "as my beloved children" is just like saying likened to. Although it connotes a father and son relationship but still they don't have the authority to be called father or even used it as a title in their name. Have you read in the entire Bible that the Apostles used Father as a title? In fact Paul was called by Peter beloved brother.

2 Peter 3:15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

Do Priests have the same authority with God or a higher authority over Jesus Christ and the Apostles?

Hebrews 7:23-24 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

If they call Jesus Christ as our forever & unchangeable Priest "Bro" then it's a weird doctrine to call themselves "father" or "holy father" or "most holy father" or "reverend father".

A very unstable father. lol