"You Have Not Many Fathers"

[ValleyAnt]

In the New Testament, Paul acknowledged the lack of spiritual fathers, and at the very close of the Old Testament, God mentioned the importance of spiritual fathers. (Malachi 4:5-6.)

Paul was a spiritual father but couldn't find many others. In Phillippians 2:19-24, Paul said that "all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus." He was referring to spiritual fathers (or mature ministers) in the context. I have found that there is both a need for and a lack of spiritual fathers today. What is everyone's opinion or understanding of the topic?

 

[homwardbound]

In the New Testament, Paul acknowledged the lack of spiritual fathers, and at the very close of the Old Testament, God mentioned the importance of spiritual fathers. (Malachi 4:5-6.)

Paul was a spiritual father but couldn't find many others. In Phillippians 2:19-24, Paul said that "all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus." He was referring to spiritual fathers (or mature ministers) in the context. I have found that there is both a need for and a lack of spiritual fathers today. What is everyone's opinion or understanding of the topic?

You do and so do we all, if, since anyone will not quit, or deny God, and be willing to see new from God Father of it all
I had a spiritual father teacher, not easy to see at first.
It began with from that person, "I am forgiven" I said but I have sinned and continue to sin, as I do not want to, yet I do what I do not want to do?

Reply. was You remain forgiven by God Father of risen Son Jesus for you.
What? how?
I got challenged to go to the Bible and find anyplace where there is a place to ask for more forgiveness after the cross of Jesus, in his resurrection?
I came back Wirth only one place, 1 John 1:9
And see now the mistranslation, going to the Greek text it states, to have (Past tense) already forgiven us. Then, I searched deeper and found like 40 scriptures that state it is past tense after the cross we are reconciled (Forgiven at the cross and new life is in the resurrected Christ, not in the death. The death was for one purpose to take away sin. Now, Father's sight for us the people, from Father's sight to us to deal with us each as new and have friendship to be willing too learn new from Father in the Holy Spirit given us to see new and just love all, even though others have done wrong to you too.
I see Romans 2:1-4, and Romans 14:1-4, Col 1:21-23 and Col 2
I was floored then saw Eph 1:6,7,13 Accepted, forgiven and sealed by God for me and all others as well Are also sealed to see the whole truth in what is done for them too. Then for each to decide for themselves to stand in beleif to this doe work or not for them too, thank you
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Read it from verse 1 believe receive and see new daily as you continue to not quit

 

[ValleyAnt]

You do and so do we all, if, since anyone will not quit, or deny God, and be willing to see new from God Father of it all
I had a spiritual father teacher, not easy to see at first.
It began with from that person, "I am forgiven" I said but I have sinned and continue to sin, as I do not want to, yet I do what I do not want to do?

Reply. was You remain forgiven by God Father of risen Son Jesus for you.
What? how?
I got challenged to go to the Bible and find anyplace where there is a place to ask for more forgiveness after the cross of Jesus, in his resurrection?
I came back Wirth only one place, 1 John 1:9
And see now the mistranslation, going to the Greek text it states, to have (Past tense) already forgiven us. Then, I searched deeper and found like 40 scriptures that state it is past tense after the cross we are reconciled (Forgiven at the cross and new life is in the resurrected Christ, not in the death. The death was for one purpose to take away sin. Now, Father's sight for us the people, from Father's sight to us to deal with us each as new and have friendship to be willing too learn new from Father in the Holy Spirit given us to see new and just love all, even though others have done wrong to you too.
I see Romans 2:1-4, and Romans 14:1-4, Col 1:21-23 and Col 2
I was floored then saw Eph 1:6,7,13 Accepted, forgiven and sealed by God for me and all others as well Are also sealed to see the whole truth in what is done for them too. Then for each to decide for themselves to stand in beleif to this doe work or not for them too, thank you
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Read it from verse 1 believe receive and see new daily as you continue to not quit

I didn't understand what you said. Can you summarize it in a way that's easy to understand?

 

[keepingthingsreal]

I think that the first thing we need to clarify is why Paul considered himself to be a spiritual father to some.

1Co 4:15
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.

Here, Paul made a distinction between himself as a "father" and ten thousand instructors in Christ, and that distinction is directly related to the fact that Paul had begotten those to whom he was speaking through the gospel. In other words, these people were born again through Paul's ministering of the gospel to them.

If we truly are ministers of the gospel by which others are saved, then we should care for them and seek to nurture them as spiritual children.

Seeing how many professing Christians rarely ever share the gospel with others, the potential for spiritual fathers is automatically very limited.

 

[ValleyAnt]

Paul made a distinction between himself as a "father" and ten thousand instructors in Christ, and that distinction is directly related to the fact that Paul had begotten those to whom he was speaking through the gospel. In other words, these people were born again through Paul's ministering of the gospel to them.

That is another facet of the topic. I want to focus on spiritual fathering that has to do with taking responsibility over or for another or others, not fathering from introducing people to the gospel. Husbands are to be 'spiritual fathers' over their wives. The Bible doesn't use these terms; it rather uses the term 'covering' which is the same dynamic. Also with Jesus who is God calls God His Father. It is a 'covering' or 'spiritual fathering' principle.

I want to talk about the dynamic of the lack of spiritual fathers (not the lack of evangelists) which is again mentioned in Malachi 4:5-6. This is the lack of men who take responsibility for others who are not within their own biological families. It is basically 'spiritual adoption' just as Paul adopted Timothy and also the churches in his care none of whose members were related to him; and yet he was still their spiritual father.