Call No One Father

One death blow to the Papacy is Christ's prohibition of calling anyone on earth their Father. The word Papacy comes from Papa meaning father.

Catholics justify the term because we call biological parents Father, but it is clear this is restricting the use of father in a spiritual sense. Jesus wasn't restricting us from calling biological parents father/Papa. They paint others as hypocrites for not calling priests Father, but calling biological parents Father.

The verse was not meant to restrict biological sense and use, but spiritual. It was also meant specifically for the Apostles. It may apply to all church members as well, but the specific sense is the Apostles and early teachers. Jesus was addressing a crowd that would be under the Apostles, and the Apostles themselves.

Mat 23:1  Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

It was meant as a prohibition to begin in their generation, thus a prohibition over the apostles, including Peter. Peter would not have permission to wear the designation of Rabbi, Pope, or Master.

It also supercedes all Catholic theories, they use verses previous to this to make a case Peter was Pope such as Matthew 10:1-4 where Peter is listed first and Matthew 16:17-20 where some see Peter as head, since this follows those verses it tends to be guidance that disagrees with those theories. We can even use John 20 where Christ tells Peter not to worry about how God uses other Apostles.

Joh 21:21  Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

Joh 21:22  Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

Jesus was restricting the Papacy by saying the Apostles and early disciples could not have a Father over themselves. Peter could not be head of the Apostles or head of the Church. Jesus would not allow any Apostles to call themselves Father, or give the title to any other apostle.

Mat 23:6  And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

Mat 23:7  And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

Mat 23:8  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Mat 23:9  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Mat 23:10  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Mat 23:11  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Mat 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

We see here 3 terms the Apostles were not to use. Interesting to me, the entire Papal magisterium is based on the Rabbi system. Educators are in essence made masters.

Rabbi - meaning Doctor, someone of high educational standing from self learning. A researcher and writer. The Apostles were not of high educational standing. Acts 4:13 The Apostles received their teaching from Christ and the Holy Spirit, not through normal educational channels. The term Rabbi in Jewish thought enabled one to be considered a master.

Father - the head of a group or system, in a spiritual sense. No one being addressed was to refer to anyone as Father or Papa in a spiritual sense. Christ taught  the apostles and early church disciples, then the Holy Spirit led them.

Master - Overseer of a group's work.The Holy Spirit was to be directing the Churches work, no Apostle was over other Apostles. The Holy Spirit guided the work, and not Peter, the Holy Spirit controlled each apostles work independent of whether Peter even knew about their work.

Act 16:7  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

Peter knew little of Paul's daily work and God controlled Paul's work.

We see Jesus refused to allow these three terms to be used in the Apostolic college, or by early disciples..

Thus Jesus denied the Papacy to be born in the Apostles lifetimes. Catholics claim Peter was the first Pope and the papacy developed from the beginning in Peter's lifetime. This is denied by Jesus.

This set of verses when used in context, it was spoken to the apostles and the multitude with them,, shows there could be no head of the apostles and the multitude could not recognize them as Papa or master. Catholics see Peter as head and Father of the apostolic college, but Christ refused the honor to any. Also since he refused the term Rabbi he refused a teaching magisterium of higher education.

It could also be used in a local synagogue sense. The word synagogue means assembly. Since Christ ordained elders in each church, it would be against the Bishop system where one man rises above the other Elders in a community, it is against the formulation of a Chief Apostle, and the formulation of chief Elders in a church.

This shores up Paul's statement in Galations, whether used for the whole church world-wide or locally in Jerusalem, there was no head.

Gal 2:9  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Paul considered multiple Apostles Pillars, James listed first and not Peter.

Also, Paul said none added anything to him, he was appointed and sent by Christ, without any other Apostles consent,

Gal 2:6  But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

Gal 2:7  But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

The Apostles were all Pillars with different works as sent by Christ.