Binding and Loosing

Overview ...

Jesus spoke to the Apostles, and particularly to Peter, about "binding" and "loosing". The Catholic Church applies these statements to foundational doctrines such as ...

• The papacy (Pope)
• The hierarchy of the Church
• Succession of Church leaders via ordination (Bishops, Priests, Deacons)
• The sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist [communion], Reconciliation [confession], etc.)
• Church discipline including excommunication
• The power of priests to forgive sins in the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
• The power of priests to consecrate the bread and wine during the Eucharist (communion)
• The power of priests to bless various objects (sacramentals)
• The power of priests to bless people
• The teaching magisterium (authority) of the Catholic Church (via Popes and Bishops)

Additional info ...

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Biblical Passages ...

These Biblical passages concern ...

• Binding and loosing (Mat 16:19, Mat 18:18)
• The keys (Mat 16:19)
• Remitting and retaining sins (John 20:22,23)
• The elders save the sick (James 5:15,16)
• The elders forgive sins (James 5:15,16)

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Mat 16:19)

Jesus is speaking to Peter in the context of ...

• Peter's divinely-revealed confession of faith
• Christ's naming Peter "the rock"
• Christ's promise to build the church on "the rock"
• Christ's promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church

Notice that Peter receives two powers ...

• Keys
• Binding and loosing

Note: The word "heaven" refers to God.

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Mat 18:18)

Jesus is speaking to the disciples (including Peter) in the context of a passage about church discipline. Immediately after this, Jesus promises that God will do whatever two or more Christians agree on; and that Jesus will be present in their midst ...

Notice that the disciples receive a power ...

• Binding and loosing

Note: The word "heaven" refers to God.

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (John 20:22,23)

After His resurrection, Jesus is speaking to the disciples (including Peter) in the context of giving them the Holy Spirit. Notice that the disciples receive a power ...

• Remission of sins

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. (James 5:15,16)

The apostle James is speaking about the role of ordained elders.

Notice that the elders receive two powers (via their prayer of faith) ...

• Save the sick
• Forgiveness of sins

Notice also that the person who has sinned is to confess his sins (presumably to the same elders who are going to forgive his sins).

From these passages we see that various church leaders have the following powers ...

• Keys -- only Peter
• Binding and loosing -- Peter and the apostles
• Save the sick -- the elders
• Forgiveness of sins -- the elders

Some questions that come to mind (these are the topics of this article) ...

• Have the powers given to the Apostles been passed-on to validly-ordained church leaders?
• Have the powers given to Peter been passed on to the popes?
• What are the keys?
• What is the rock that Jesus is building the church on?
• What is binding and loosing?
• Is the "rock" of Peter (Mat 16:18) (1) his confession of faith, or (2) Peter himself?
• How do the elders save?
• How do the elders forgive sins?
• How do the apostles remit sins?
• Was the church founded when Jesus breathed on the apostles (John 20:22) after His resurrection?
• Why was only Peter given the keys (and not the other apostles)?

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Other Biblical Passages ...

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Are these Powers Passed-on to the Church? ...

It is important to consider whether the various powers given to the apostles were intended to be passed-on to future generations. And if so, then we must discern to whom they are passed-on. Some possibilities ...

• Ordained church leaders.
• The pope.
• All Christians.

Passages which indicate that these gifts are passed-on via ordination ...

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. (1 Tim 5:22)

Laying-on of hands refers to ordination (more info).

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. (1 Tim 4:14)

The gift was given via ordination.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money. (Acts 8:18)

The powers were transferred by the apostles via ordination to those who were not apostles. It is unlikely that this transferring of power was intended to stop with this second generation.

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. . . . (Eph 2:20)

The Church did not end after the apostles died; it was to continue. This implies that there was a way to determine and validate who was to be the church leaders of the next generation.

And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. (Isa 22:22)

There is a principle of succession in institutions established by God. These leaders have real power and authority to rule.

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:6)

Since the apostles ordained (as deacons) the next generation of leaders we can assume that they intended this succession to continue into the future as well.

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. (Acts 13:3)

Since the apostles ordained the next generation of leaders we can assume that they intended this succession to continue into the future as well.

For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take. (Acts 1:20)

Even before Pentecost, Peter seemed to consider it very important to replace a leader. In doing so he sets the pattern for how the Church is to ordain future leaders. This passage also demonstrates that Peter had a unique leadership role and sets the stage for the doctrine of the papacy.

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. (2 Tim 1:6)

Paul had ordained Timothy and in doing so Timothy received gifts and powers. It seems reasonable to assume that this succession of leadership was to continue into the future of the church.

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Tim 2:2)

The apostles intended to duplicate themselves in leaders in succeeding generations.

Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. (Mat 23:2,3)

Jesus commanded his followers to obey those leaders who were many generations distant from Moses. Likewise, He would expect the same obedience from those in the church many generations after the apostles: That Christians should obey those validly-ordained leaders just as the Jews were to obey the validly-ordained Jewish leaders.

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. (Eph 3:21)

There must be a church throughout all ages. Therefore, it would be necessary for each generation of church leaders to select others who are qualified to lead the church of the next generation. This implies some sort of ordination process.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Heb 13:17)

Certainly if we are to obey our secular rulers, we should also obey our religious leaders. This implies that we have religious leaders who are validly-ordained. The authority passed on is given to specific people; it is not conferred indiscriminately.

These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. (Titus 2:15)

The Church leaders have authority over the Church.

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established. (Rom 1:11)

Paul may have been referring to ordaining some leaders for them

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