Unpacking Biblical Authority
The concept of the “keys of the kingdom” is a fundamental Christian doctrine, often associated with eternal church authority. However, its interpretation and application have been debated throughout history.
Biblical Origins
Jesus introduced the concept of the keys in Matthew 16:19 and 18:18, granting authority to His disciples to “loose and bind” things on earth, echoing in heaven. A third instance, in John 20:23, emphasizes the disciples’ authority regarding sin. But what do these “binding and loosing” verses truly mean? Commonly, people assume they relate to spiritual warfare and binding the devil. However, the surrounding context focuses on disciples’ authority, with no reference to Satan. In reality, “binding” and “loosing” were technical legal expressions in the ancient Jewish world:
- “To bind” (deō) meant to restrict, confine, or limit, legally forbidding something.
- “To loose” (lyō) meant to unbind, untie, or free, legally permitting something.
In this context, Jesus empowered His disciples to make authoritative decisions, permitting or forbidding
actions within the community. This understanding aligns with the Jewish legal tradition, where rabbinic authorities would “bind” or “loose” interpretations of the law.
Catholic Tradition and Controversy
The Catholic Church adopted the keys as a symbol of its divine authority, featuring two crossed keys on its coat of arms. This representation solidified the Church’s claim to sole authority, tracing back to Saint Peter and the apostles. The Catholic Church also teaches:
- Succession of Authority: The Pope’s authority is believed to be a direct succession from Saint Peter.
- Papal Infallibility: The Pope’s ex cathedra statements are deemed infallible, meaning he cannot err when speaking officially as the supreme pastor and teacher.
The Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation, sparked by Martin Luther, sought to reform Catholic doctrine. Despite some successes, Luther’s efforts fell short, as the Catholic Church had already assimilated centuries of extraneous ideas and practices. These influences included pagan holidays (Easter and Christmas), Greek philosophical concepts (immortal soul and heaven/hell), and sun-worship (Sunday as the day of rest).
Returning to Biblical Authority
A careful examination of Scripture reveals that the authority to bind and loose never superseded Torah commands or created new ones. The apostles’ and sages’ authority was limited to interpreting existing commandments.
Challenging Catholic Doctrine
Catholic traditions, such as praying to Mary as mediator and advocate, contradict biblical teaching (Romans 8:34). Jesus Christ is the sole intercessor between God and humanity. Other doctrines, like Sunday observance, infant baptism, and transubstantiation, lack biblical basis.
A Call to Return to Scripture
It is time to reevaluate church traditions and return to the Word of God as our authority. As Jesus said, “In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). The Bible, not church doctrine, should guide our understanding of God’s will.
The keys of the kingdom represent biblical authority, but their interpretation has been distorted over time. By returning to Scripture and rejecting man-made doctrines, we can reclaim the true teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles.
Scriptural References
- Matthew 16:19
- Matthew 18:18
- John 20:23
- Romans 8:34
- Matthew 15:9
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keys_of_the_kingdom
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_papacy
https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/do-all-churches-get-their-teaching-from-the-bible
https://torahportions.ffoz.org/disciples/matthew/the-power-to-bind-and-loose.html
