The Catholic and Evangelical Viewpoint Debate #2

The second topic for discussion is Teaching and Ruling Authority:

Father John: How do we know that a particular tradition is of the Holy Spirit and how do Popes today still declare dogmas? Our answer is magisterial or teaching authority.

Catholics believe Christ instituted teaching authority to serve the Word, safeguarding it with authoritive interpretation. Jesus replaced Jewish elders and priests with apostles, gracing them with His own authority. These apostles communicated their teaching authority to their successors, the bishops. Everyone ought to read scripture, yet bishops receive the grace and responsibility to interpret and teach God's Word with authority, and resolve disputes. Acting together, the bishops can infallibly interpret Scripture; as Peter's successor, The Pope processes this gift in a special way, confirming his brother bishops in faith.

Pastor Jim:
Succession: You say that the bishops of your church are the successors of the twelve apostles. What is the biblical basis for this belief?

Teaching Authority: In the Bible I find everyday Christians studying and interpreting God's Word. You say, however, that although anyone can read the Bible, only the bishops of your church have the right to interpret and to teach it with authority. I don't see such claims in the Scriptures. Nor do I find a council of men called bishops claiming the exclusive right to interpret the Scriptures for everyone else.

The Papacy: I was surprised how little you said in your letter concerning the ruling authority of the Pope. Rome makes such grandiose claims in this area. The bishops of the First Vatican Council (1870) stated:
...The Roman pontiff is the successor of the blessed Peter, the prince of the apostles, true vicar of Christ, head of the whole church and father and teacher of all Christian people. To him, in blessed Peter, full power has been given by our Lord Jesus Christ to tend, rule, and govern the universal church.

One would think that if such claims were part of the original teachings of Christ and His apostles we would find them throughout the New Testament. Yet nowhere do we read of a "Roman Pontiff" Can you explain the omission?

The Title of Pope: Jesus said "Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven" (Matthew 23:9. I am interested in knowing how you can address a man as a Pope, meaning "father" and how you yourself accept the title of Father as a Catholic Priest.