In Matthew 16, we see the culmination of power in the words of our lord Jesus Christ when He states to the Apostles, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (v 18-19, NKJV). He was providing his disciples with accommodation from on High; He was alluding to authority in all spiritual things. One, He directed Heaven and Earth to comprehend that the Church would be His saving entity upon earth (Ephesians 5:23-25). Two, Jesus needed His followers to understand that NO earthly force could ever hope to supersede that which He had instituted. Lastly, Christ needed His disciples to “loose” and “bind” all that was required for you and me to walk circumspect with Gd in this life.
Notice, the Bible instructs that mankind will always find it difficult to walk as Jesus walked and commanded. Paul reminds us that this walk must be made “carefully” (Ephesians 5:15). He repeatedly states that one “walking” outside of God’s will is acting with foolish motives. Thus, he reminds us, “…do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17b). Here again, inspired writers of the Biblical record, admonish us in negotiating the Will of God unto the saving of our souls when handling the Scriptures as God would have us to do. DO NOT BE UNWISE! A reckless person not only shipwrecks” their faith but often commits additional Biblical castration in leading others in their foolishness by deceit (Romans 1:32). Where will it end?
It should be so that wise men practice wisely. Those who choose to practice love and adherence to God’s will consider that God has given all things which make for life and godliness within the pages of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Those things MUST be studied in such a way that they would never “draw one” away from the faith given to the Apostles to circumvent their authority. In other words, when disputes arise among the Brethren, and they often will, they should come together as the Early Church did, then actively reason among the Scriptures. The goal of the discussion is NOT only to “please the apostles and elders, with the whole church”, but for the God of Heaven to look down upon us with favor, KNOWING that we have placed Him first and foremost in our conclusion by being able to freely state, “We Gave No Such Command” in erroneous practices. To accomplish a task, great or small, one must FIRST conclude God is right in ALL matters. Next, he has given FIRST to the Apostles for their safekeeping, as we see here in Acts 15. Next, some deliberation MUST occur, to sequence the will of God on such matters from the Beginning, for whatever “law or practice” we conclude, it CANNOT and MUST NOT violate another portion of the Holy Writ! (Psalm 119:160). It pains me to see how often some will state, even with braggadocio, how they have been revealed the right answer in spiritual matters, only to conclude that these things are a matter of an uncontrite heart. God desires for us to complete His will. And we can do just that by abiding by what we have been given and using common logic and reason together needed inferences when needed. What is never acceptable is for one to “go past what is written” just to gain personal or communal control when God has not given that authority to anyone other than what can be gleaned from the pages. Does it glorify God? (John 8:29) Do we have God’s authority for this? (Colossians 3:17) Does it encourage my Brother? (1 Corinthians 8:11-12). You cannot lose when you place EVERY SPIRITUAL DECISION into this construction. These are the commands that we can observe, for the “secret things belong to God”, not us. We are then left to reason what is written, which leads to life and an eternity with the Lord. Remember, if the Apostles “gave no such command”, we have no Biblical authority to authorize an action or wording because we enjoy it, like it, or seek to please the people. In other words, can we go beyond that which is written and enjoy the bounty of an eternity with God? One would respectfully hope not. Think about these things, and God Bless.
Dr. Archie R. Green, Ed.D.