I read in Matthew 16:19 (or Matthew 18:18), that the church is given authority to "bind and loose" any laws it sees fit. This is very scary considering that one can then discount the Bible as God's Holy Word. Afterall, no one and no thing is above God. Changing God's Holy Word is thus an impossibility.

I asked God to allow me to understand what "bind and loose" mean according to the Bible. But alas He was not willing to allow me to find other verses which would make them clear. About a year(?) later, a Christian brother told me about a minister who is on cable channel 35. I then watched him and he said he was going to discuss "binding" the following week. Naturally I praised God and waited. Alas, it did not happen. Apparently his tapes are not shown in sequence, and I missed his discussion.

After waiting many weeks, emailing him, calling the 800 number, and calling their local number I could not reach them. Finally I contacted their "Tape Line" through email and received his tape about "'Binding and Loosing' what it really means in Ezra."

So that's where I am at now - I am listening to his tape and will read and understand as best the LORD allows me to understand and report it below.

7/31/04 8:53 PM
Nothing so far. It is impossible to learn anything without the LORD's will. If and when I am able to understand this topic, I will post it here as soon as possible.

8/10/04 1:59 PM
I listened to the tape and it seems that this minister feels that the last 2 chapters in Ezra ( Ezra 9 and Ezra 10) are the explanation. What they say basically is that we are not to mix any other views with our faith. I.e. God's word alone is all that is needed (sufficient and necessary) to stand for our faith.

Now this, of course, is true. Every word of God's word is true. But that it relates to "binding" and "loosing" I do not see at all. God willing, one day, He might allow me to understand the meaning of "binding" and "loosing," in Jesus' name, amen.

08/28/04 12:22 PM EST USA
I went to the newsgroup alt.christnet.evangelical and asked my question there in the hope that someone who was blessed by God to understand this verse will be allowed by God to help me understand it as well. What follows is my editted reply to the fellow who helped me.

Matt 18:18 - same verse different words

John 20:23 - This is a powerful passage. I will have to think about what it is I am thinking since there is so much going on here. But if any verse seems to fit this is without a doubt the closest one so far after so many years of wondering what it could possibly mean.

1 Corinthians 5 - This goes well with John 20:23.

2 Corinthians 2:10 - also good with John 20:23. I am becoming convinced that the meaning of "binding and loosing" was to forgive and not forgive. but for the Apostles (sans Thomas) only. We seem to agree on this as well from what you said below. Our Lord gave them such power at that time for them. So Matt 16:19 was the Lord speaking to the Apostles - not just "plain" believers.

I agree with you about the "magic wand" attitude. Many seek power in this world yet we are told to avoid such things... in fact we are to avoid all such interest in anything to do with the world. So, because of that also, I think this was specifically for the Apostles. OH THAT'S RIGHT! Thomas (aka Didymus) missed out because he was not there to receive this gift!!! And so we were not there to receive such a gift. It's starting to gel. :)

1 Thessalonians 4:8 - ...sort of (now that I look at it again I think my comment on Rev 11:6 would be the same here)

Rev 11:6 - such power is given to men. I think that is the point here. That men can be given such power, but it comes directly from God to them and not for every believer!

> KEY (Jdg 3:25). A symbol of authority (Isa 22:22; Mt 16:19; Rev 1:18; 3:7;
> 9:1; 20:1). See Binding and Loosing.
> Figurative: key of knowledge (Lk 11:52).

"A symbol of authority" indeed.

> Also, check that a "key" is required.

Indeed, the key being a gift of the Holy Spirit! :)

> I believe that Jesus gives us a hint
> as to what this key is, in his commendation of Peter's proclamation (Mat
> 16:16) indicating that he was no longer relying upon his own
> understanding (Pro 14:12), but upon wisdom that came from God above.
> I believe that the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit was upon the Apostles to such a
> degree that they not only COULD bind and loose here on earth and into
> eternity, but they also KNEW when the Spirit of God required them to bind
> and loose for His greater glory.
>
> My personal take is that this power is still active today -- but it requires
> such a connection with the Holy Spirit that we KNOW with the mind of Christ
> (check out 1 Corinthians chapter 2) when such actions will service God's
> Kingdom and be according to His will (and not just ours!).
> I have seen some thinking this is like some kind of 'magic wand' that they
> can wave around at people and situations they simply don't like! They soon
> stumble with shaken faith when God doesn't jump through the hoops they
> believe He should at their say-so.
>
> I hope this helps! > > Yours in Christ, > > (signature editted out) >

This has helped. I feel better about Matt. 16:19 after so many years of wondering. May God richly bless you, in Jesus' name, amen!

Sabbath, 04/12/08, 7:12 AM EST USA
This much I know - that the 'binding' mentioned in Proverbs 3,

   1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
       but keep my commands in your heart,

   2 for they will prolong your life many years
       and bring you prosperity.

   3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
       bind them around your neck,
       write them on the tablet of your heart.

is not about wrapping yourself in ropes. The meaning is that we should obey God in our hearts. So then His words take root in our hearts and we obey honestly from inside; not obey dishonestly from "outside" (false appearences).

May God open your eyes; may He pour His Spirit into your heart; may you obey His Holy Word, Jesus Christ, in Jesus' name, amen.