Bible Studies - Miscellaneous

Call No Man Father

All Bible texts are from the King James Version.

What did the rich young ruler call Jesus?

"And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Luke 18:18. (See also Matthew 19:16 & Mark 10:17.)

What was Jesus' reply?

"And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God." Luke 18:19.

What else did Jesus tell us about this topic?

"And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."
Matthew 23:7 - 12.

Who is the head of God's people?

"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." 1 Corinthians 11:3.

"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, . . . And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church," Ephesians 1:20, 22.

Who is the corner stone?

"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Acts 4:10 - 12.

"Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he."
Deuteronomy 32:3, 4.

Should we trust any man to lead us?

"Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." Jeremiah 17:5.

"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." Psalms 118:8, 9.

The Desire of Ages by E. White, page 414.

"Instead of appointing one to be their head, Christ said to the disciples, 'Be not ye called Rabbi;' 'neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.'" Matt. 23:8, 10.

"'The head of every man is Christ.' God, who put all things under the Saviour's feet, 'gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.' 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:22, 23. The church is built upon Christ as its foundation; it is to obey Christ as its head. It is not to depend upon man, or be controlled by man. Many claim that a position of trust in the church gives them authority to dictate what other men shall believe and what they shall do. This claim God does not sanction. The Saviour declares, 'All ye are brethren.' All are exposed to temptation, and are liable to error. Upon no finite being can we depend for guidance. The Rock of faith is the living presence of Christ in the church. Upon this the weakest may depend, and those who think themselves the strongest will prove to be the weakest, unless they make Christ their efficiency. 'Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm.' The Lord 'is the Rock, His work is perfect.' 'Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.' Jer. 17:5; Deut. 32:4; Ps. 2:12."

Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary Vol 5 by E. White, page 1098.

"The oft repeated 'Rabbi,' was very acceptable to the ear, but Jesus warned His disciples against this. He said to them, 'But be not ye called rabbi; for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ'

By these words Christ meant that no man is to place his spiritual interest under another as a child is guided and directed by his earthly father. This has encouraged a spirit to desire ecclesiatical superiority, which has always resulted in the injury of men who have been trusted, and addressed as 'Father.' It confuses the sense of the sacredness of the prerogatives of God."

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