Jesus tells us that He will build His church (assemblies of people who gather in His name) and gives the apostle Peter the authority by Jesus to interpret and make judgments about what would be permitted or forbidden in the church, the body of believers. It’s been a long journey looking at “The Kingdom of Heaven/The Kingdom of God”, and we’re not even half way there. Join me as we look at the very begining moment of what we call, “The Church”……First, let’s look at this Scripture in context, let’s look at the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 16, verses 13-20:
Matthew 16:13-20 (TNIV)
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of death will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.[emphasis added]
First I would point out here that Jesus uses the term “Son of Man” to refer to himself, and then clearly, when Peter answered, affirmed the truth that He was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. In that day the common view was that Jesus was one of the prophets come back to life. If we look at Deuteronomy 18:18, we see one of the key Scriptures which speaks of the coming Messiah .
So, let’s look briefly at each prophet in verse 14 here:
— Herod thought that Jesus was John the Baptist come back to life, so apparently the rumor had been going around.
— Elijah never actually died but was swept up to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11-12). You can see how the disciples may have thought that he was Elijah come back on earth.
–Now the thought of Jeremiah enters the picture………….Jeremiah may have been considered because his death is not mentioned in Scripture. According to Jewish legend, he was “immortal”, so, like Elijah, he never died but was taken to heaven.
However, none of these is correct. I find it interesting that Jesus (God) knows who to ask……Peter….and Peter proclaims that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God”!
I believe that this is an important point here: Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. He is not just a prophet with wise sayings and beliefs, I believe that Jesus is the truth, as God is the truth, the light in a dark world. Jesus tells Peter that He is correct and that only God could have revealed this to him. Where Jesus is recognized as Lord and Savior, faith grows and the Gospel prospers.
Here we come upon something I find interesting. In the Gospels, the Greek word, “ekklesia” is mentioned only in Matthew. I would note here that the word “ekklesia” at this time in history simply meant “an assembly”, or “a gathering”, not necessarily of Christians, as there were no real “Christians” yet. However, look at what Jesus says: “I will build my church” [emphasis added]. Jesus is clearly stating that people will assemble in His name.
Note that the name “Peter” means “rock or stone”. Look at the wordplay here. I believe that when he tells Peter that he will be the “rock” or cornerstone, that Jesus is telling him that he will be the leader and spokesman (or foundation) of the Apostles. Others believe that this means the he (Peter) would be the supreme leader of the church.
And then Jesus mentions that “the gates of death will not overcome” the church. What does Jesus mean by these words? The Greek “Hades” in the Old Testament and ancient Jewish tradition simply means the “place of the departed souls”, the “realm of the dead”. Christ promises that not even death can take away those that belong to Christ.
And now we come to the object of our current lesson: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Note that Jesus uses the future tense (“will give ….will be bound …will be loosed” ). Here I find it best explained in the Life Application Bible Commentary:
The “binding and loosing” aspect of authority applied to all the disciples (Matthew 18:18), not just to Peter. However, Jesus gave Peter undeniable authority over the group of disciples, seen in the leadership he assumed over the Jerusalem believers (Acts 1:15-26) and over the church after Pentecost.
Some say the “keys of the kingdom” represents the authority to carry out church discipline, legislation, and administration (Matthew 18:15-18); others say the keys give the authority to announce the forgiveness of sins (John 20:23). Most likely, the “keys” are the kingdom authority given to the church, including the opportunity to bring people to the kingdom of heaven by presenting them with the message of salvation found in God’s Word (Acts 15:7-9). They are also the keys to binding and loosing (Matthew 18:18-20).
I would also note that “binding and loosing” were terms regularly used for rabbis’ legislative authority in interpreting Scripture . Peter has been given this authority by Jesus.
Lastly, Jesus instructs the disciples not to reveal this truth, that He is the Messiah, the Christ.
Today’s CLUE: Jesus tells us that He will build His church (assemblies of people who gather in His name) and gives the apostle Peter the authority by Jesus to interpret and make judgments about what would be permitted or forbidden in the church, the body of believers.
What do you think?
Evovwookiee commented: The one thing that I am curious about is Paul. Paul and Peter differ substantially on their methodology and to a point, their philosophy. While both share a passion for Christ, Peter is more “legalistic” than Paul. So if Peter is the authority, and Paul disagrees with him, how can we model our church after the letters that he wrote?
I replied: Interesting question and one that I do not have the answer for at my fingertips. I will make the statement that, from what I know at this time, the Epistles were circulating well before the Gospels were written and I believe the Gospel writers were well aware of their content as they were often read before assemblies of believers. I believe this may say something. Additionally, While Paul and Peter may not have agreed as you say, they did seem to come to a consensus. I believe this says something. And, often times I see differences, such as you suggest, similar to the difference between Paul (Grace not works) and James (Works are the embodiment of accepting God’s Grace). The difference is not that they oppose, but that they are complimentary. Paul never says that we should not be fruitful and James never says that fruitfulness achieves salvation. I hope I have articulated this well and invite dialog if I am missing something here.
Also, one more thought on a more practical level: I believe that both these men were called and commissioned by Jesus (GOD). Possibly in His wisdom, He chose two men with differing personalities to create a balance and fullness to the kingdom, to get the full meaning of Jesus teachings across. Similar to business’ that employ people of differing personalities, some more legalistic than others, some more compassionate than others. Again, I hope I have articulated this well. Just a thought….
My friend RonLawHouston commented; Oh, the authority of the church! Yikes! You know that I like Bart Ehrman. Ehrman makes a very compelling argument that there were changes made to ancient texts by scribes with agendas. You need only read the book of Acts to see the power struggles that started even in the earliest church. I mean, why wasn’t this authority given to James who lead the Jerusalem church? Why Peter who (interestingly enough) ends up heading the Roman church?
Jan (I know you won’t agree with this) but I see this as a corruption of scripture by those who supported the authority of Peter. Most transmission of the Canon was done by Roman scribes.
To me, if we truly honor this passage, then we all need to be Roman Catholic. Peter was the one who “bound” it’s authority on Earth.
I just keep getting back to “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
Evowookiee commented; I don’t know the answer either. Peter and Paul (and James) differed in many different areas, but perhaps they were perfect examples of the Body of Christ. Each has his own part.
Paul is the brain- through his letters and arguments we recognize that our Salvation does not depend on our actions, but on a GIFT of Grace through Jesus’ sacrifice. John Piper puts it best- God MUST exact Judgement for Sin. Jesus didn’t negate God’s Judgement- he absorbed it.
Peter is the eye- he has the vision. He sees the church for a purpose- I love his sermons in Acts (However he seems to always say the same things.)
James is the hand- he tells us that we know Jesus’ sacrifice was for us and that we are the body of believers. We should then be compelled by the Holy Spirit to go and DO- not to be saved, but because it is what we are called to be, as a body- and as individuals
I replied to RonLawHouston: Yes, you are correct 🙂 I see things very differently 🙂 I accept the authority given by Christ and don’t really question it….I often ponder it…..but I do not question it. I have the Erdhman books and find them interesting. As you would guess, I don’t agree with his conclusions. But I respect him as a historian. When I find Scripture that is in question, I put it to the side, understanding that it MAY be a problematic………… however……..I have found nothing that by itself changes the story of Christ. Keep in mind that though many of the earliest manuscripts and fragments that we have, contain variations from some of the later manuscripts…..we still don’t have the autographs. In other words, we assume that the earlist that we have are the most accurate. This may be true. But we can’t be sure. I do not mean to say this as a cop out……but I believe it must be considered. I believe the Scriptures are much less corrupt than you would make them out to be.
I really like your quote about the truth…..it comes of course from the book of John………..It is Jesus reaffirming exactly who He was….and tells us that if we hold to His teaching that we will know the truth and the truth will set us free
John 8:25-31
25 “Who are you?” they asked. “Just what I have been claiming all along,” Jesus replied. 26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”
27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” 30 Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said,”If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Thank you for your comments Ron.
I replied to Evowookie:
I really like the quote from John Piper Thank you for your comments. I agree very much that “We should then be compelled by the Holy Spirit to go and DO- not to be saved, but because it is what we are called to be, as a body- and as individuals”
RonLawHouston replied; Hey Jan, I think the Pope is preparing an invitation for you to join the church that Peter bound on earth. The one true and apostolic church. 🙂
Actually, I’m curious – have you ever been to a service at a Roman Catholic church?
I replied to RonLawHouston: Hi Ron, no, I’ve never been to a Roman Catholic service. We have many ex-Catholics in our congregation. But in all honesty, I know very little about practical matters inside the Catholic church other than what I have read in the papers and some other sources. I was surprised to find from my Catholic friends that they were rarely encouraged to study or even read Scripture. I have problems with succession beyond the Apostles.
RonLawHouston replied: The Catholic church does not believe in the private interpretation of Scripture because of 2 Peter 1:20. So, why should they study scripture when the Church will tell you what it says. Now if I could just get you to see the irony of that statement…..
I replied: Hi Ron, I do see the irony in the statement 🙂 Keep in mind that I am not Catholic. I believe that understanding the Scriptures is not done in a vacuum, but should be accomplished communally. I believe in reading and studying on ones own as well as dialoging, wrestling with, and seeking understanding of the Scriptures. Is this the only way we can know God, or know that part of God that he want us to know? Certainly not. It is one of many….. just like a relationship…..talk TO someone is not the only way that we know them. It’s funny I know a couple of Catholic friends through work and they told me their life changed once they realized the relational aspect of knowing God. I submit that life always changes when we find good relationships. I would note also that I interpret 2 Peter 1:20 much differently than the Catholic Church (at least the old Catholic Church, if they interpret it in the manner you suggest, which I do not doubt 🙂
RonLawHouston replied: Hey Jan, I think one of the wonderful things about the “emerging church” is the focus on the relational/experiential approach to Christ.
Sometimes it’s much better to show someone Christ in us rather than telling them about Christ.
I replied to RonLawHouston:Hi Ron, I certainly agree that it is good to show someone Christ, in fact, this is what I believe our lives should be about……but if we didn’t tell people about Christ…they would see us and not Him…..it would be like keeping Christ all to ourselves. I guess I’m not the selfish type….I want everyone to know Him, and experience Him, and have the opportunity to have a relationship with Him….there is enough of Jesus to go around 🙂