“Whatever You Bind on Earth
“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:18).
Here, the power of “binding” and “loosing” is committed to the “the church” (Matthew 18:17). And even here Heaven’s approval of the decision on earth will take place only if the decision is made according to God’s Word. All who deal with erring members of the church should always keep in mind that they are dealing with the eternal destiny of souls, and that the results of their work may be eternal.
Jesus said, “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19).
The “keys” to the kingdom of heaven are the words of Christ (John 1:12; 17:3). It is important to note that Christ Himself speaks of the “key “ here referred to as “the key of knowledge” of how to enter the kingdom (Luke 11:52). The words of Jesus “they are spirit, and they are life” to all who receive them (John 6:63). It is the word of Christ that brings eternal life (John 6:68). Accepting the Word of God leads to the new birth experience or conversion (1 Peter 1:23).
The saving power of the good news is the only thing that admits men and women into the kingdom of heaven. Christ simply given Peter and all the other disciples (Matthew 18:18; John 20:23) the authority and power to call people into the kingdom. It was Peter’s understanding of the truth that Jesus is indeed the Christ that put the “keys” of the kingdom in his heart and let him into the kingdom, and the same may be said of all Christ’s followers till the end of time.
The church on earth will ask only what heaven asks and will ban only what heaven bans. This seems to be the clear teaching of the Scriptures (Matthew 7:21-27; Mark 7:6-13). As the apostles went forth to proclaim the gospel according to the commission given to them (Matthew 28:19,20), they were to teach the believers “to observe all things what so ever” Christ had commanded – no more and no less.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
