Jesus told us to bind and loose, but is this practice relevant for the church today?

Pastor John, join us over Skype to address this question from a listener named Joe.

Hello, Pastor John.

Jesus told the disciples that whatever they bind or loose on earth would be so in heaven.

The church has the keys to the kingdom of heaven, meaning whatever you bind on earth shall

be bound in heaven.

Whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven, Matthew 16, verse 19.

So what can a local church bind and loose and what could be in a Christian friend bind

and loose?

Does this text have any relevant application to the church today?

Yes.

Yes, it is relevant for today.

It's always been relevant in every age of the church.

It's relevant.

Yes, Joe, if you are a true follower of Jesus, you and your friend as a true follower of

Jesus can bind and loose in the way that Jesus means it here.

So let's read it, make sure we get the whole context and then I'll try to explain what

I think it means and how it's relevant.

As I said to his disciples, I'm reading Matthew 16, 16 to 19.

Jesus said to his disciples, who do you say that I am?

Simon Peter replied, you are the Christ, the son of the living God.

And Jesus answered him, blessed are you, Simon, Barjona, for flesh and blood has not

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