How do you loose and bind like the Bible says?

Answer 1

Great question as no man can and this discussion beginning in Matthew 16 through 18 is a subject of much misunderstanding - to the point that some in Christianity have taken it to mean that 'man' can now decide who can get eternal salvation and what points of the Law are okay for all to disregard - as they interpret Scripture. It is just plain wrong when read fully and in its proper context.

Some modern translations take into account that the wording in the loose/bind verses are in Greek called - 'future perfect passives' - a construction that most all of us would not understand unless fully explained (especially me). Basically it means the disciples of Christ would only 'loose and bind' what God had already done so - they were the now Earthly ministers for Christ:

Matthew 16:18-19New American Standard Bible (NASB)

18 I also say to you that you are Peter (meaning stone), and upon this rock (meaning Christ) I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you (plural for all Apostles here) the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."

In Scripture, keys symbolize 'authority' as a servant would open and close the door of the house of his master with it. However, they would only open up for those whom they were absolutely sure would be allowed by the 'king' to enter. The same is true with the 'key of David' mentioned in Isaiah 22:22 and Revelation 3:7. Christ is the only King.

Can you think of a reason any man could allow someone into the Kingdom of God whom God would not allow into it. And said the other way, no man could disallow someone access to the Kingdom whom God would invite into it? God is not obligated to bind an ungodly decision made by men no matter who they are. What this means then is only Christ would lead the Church leadership to decisions that He had already bound in heaven, not the other way. And He gave His Law and broadening of its spiritual meaning in His physical life. Afterwards, He promised to come to all who are His via the Holy Spirit called the Helper or Comforter in John 14 through 16. With God's begetting His future children (John 6:44;65), their Spirit in those disciples will remember all that was written and said so they will not wrongly divide the Word of God.

In conclusion, only Jesus could allow or disallow someone entrance into the Kingdom-but no man had or has that authority. Christ's statement in Matthew 16 above meant that His apostles had authority to represent Him, to teach as He taught them and to be instruments in helping people live the way the Kingdom of God. As Revelation 3:7 tells us, Jesus alone holds the key to the door.