Bible Study Discussions with Gary Panell

Question: I have another question about scripture for you, I trust you can help me with this situation. My question is about your understanding on the following two verses,

Mat 16:19 KJV 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 18:18 KJV 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.

I just need some direction in how to read these verses. My minister has taught us to seek out Christ on a personal level and I think you can help lead me to a better understanding. Any explanation on history or information on what is happening in the Bible at this time would greatly be appreciated.

Answer: Thanks for the question. I believe a good answer comes from Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel. In his Word for Today Bible he says of these verses: "Much misunderstanding has come from the statements Jesus made to Peter after his confession as to who Jesus was. Jesus talked about this rock being the foundation that His church would be built on. He said that He would give Peter the keys to the kingdom of God, and that whatever he bound on earth would be bound in heaven, and whatever he loosed on earth would be loosed in heaven.

"But what we need to understand is that Jesus wasn't saying that Peter was the rock upon which He would build His church. If the church had been built on Peter, it certainly wouldn't have survived. A few verses later Jesus was calling him 'Satan.' Peter would eventually deny even knowing Jesus.

"Rather, Jesus would build His church on the confession of who He is He was using a play on words, involving Peter's name. The name Peter comes from the Greek word for 'rock.' But the word for Peter is petros, which means 'little rock,' while the word Jesus used for 'rock' when He said, 'upon this rock I will build My church' is the word petra which means 'a great rock.' Peter's confession was the great rock upon which the church would be built [upon Christ the massive Rock].

"And the keys to the kingdom that Jesus referred to are not some kind of special place that Peter would have in letting people into heaven. The gospel is the key to the kingdom. The declaration of who Jesus is and what He did is what opens the door to heaven, allowing others to make that same declaration that will set them free.

"Also we introduce people to Jesus and they trust in Him, they are bound to Him on earth and will be bound to Him in heaven. As they are loosed from their sins here on earth, so also will they be loosed forever in heaven, freed from the bondage of sin. It is interesting that Peter was the first one of the disciples to preach the gospel and that he was also the first one to introduce the Gentiles to the gospel. But in doing so he exercised the same privilege that is ours as we take the confession of who Jesus is and share it with the lost and dying world."

I hope this helps,

Gary Panell

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Keywords: keys to kingdom, bind on earth, loose on earth, foundation of church, Peter as a rock