You wrote:
“Jesus said, “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9)”
Okay, so what did you call your Dad?
“Thanks for letting me chime in—as a former Catholic, I am grateful that we can rely on the authority and inerrancy of Scripture—God’s very word—rather than on the traditions and words of men.”
Okay, please tell me how you know the gospel of Matthew is inspired? I would like a verse that specifically mentions his gospel please. Also, please let me know what verse in Matthew tells you Matthew wrote that gospel. Thanks in advance.
2 Tim. 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness".
I called my dad “dad.” The reference in Matthew is to calling someone on earth your father in a spiritual sense.
I know that Matthew’s gospel is inspired because it is part of the canon of Scripture, just as the gospels of Mark, Luke and John are.
Matthew didn’t write the gospel—God did. Matthew was just the human secretary that God used. Matthew wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “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.”
If you have a problem with the gospel of Matthew, you’d be better off taking it up with God. It’s His word, not mine. I have no doubt of His ability to reveal that to you.
That’s my prayer—that the Lord would reveal Himself to you through His word. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Isaiah 55:11 says, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
I am not afraid of anything you might learn or any conclusion you might come to by simply reading His word.