Binding And Loosing
"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." (Mt. 16:19.) The same statement in regard to binding and loosing is made in Mt. 18:18.
Men have placed this interpretation upon these words: What the apostles loosed is loosed in heaven; what the apostles bound is bound in heaven; and what the apostles did not mention man is at liberty to engage in if he so desires. I am convinced that in some quarters a restudy of these words is needed.
What the apostles loosed God loosed. Nothing could be loosed unless first it had been bound. God had bound ordinances upon man in times past that he had now loosed through the apostles. One time the ten commandments were bound, but now they are loosed. (II Cor. 3; Rom. 7:4-7.) All of the ordinances and services of the first covenant (law) had been bound, but now they are loosed. (Heb. 8, 9, 10; Col. 2:14-16; Eph. 2:15; Gal. 3:24,25.) Since the law of Moses is loosed no man can bind it. To do so in this Christian era would mean to be severed from Christ and fall from grace. (Gal. 5:4.)
He then had the apostles to bind what man must do. This and this only can man engage. The completeness and perfection of the word proves that this is the interpretation that must be placed upon Mt. 16:19. The apostles were guided into "all truth" (Jno. 16:13); the inspired scriptures furnishes a man completely unto every good work (II Tim. 3:16,17); the law of liberty is perfect (James 1:25); the divine power has granted unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness (II Pet. 1:3); the Lord will condemn the person who preaches another gospel (Gal. 1:8); he has commanded all things to be observed (Mt. 28:19,20); and no man is allowed to go beyond the doctrine of Christ. (II Jno. 9-11.) How much stronger could the Lord teach: All that man can do in his religious life has been revealed in the inspired scriptures? This means we must find the teaching and practice in the New Testament. This is the reason we cannot say, "If God did not bind it, we are at liberty to engage in it." Our religious life must be authorized by the Lord.
Let us make some application of this truth. Often men fail to apply the truth they know.
Did the Lord bind (authorize) the command to be baptized (burial in water) as a condition of salvation from sins? Yes, Mk. 16:15, 16; Acts 2:38; 8:38, 39; 10:48; 22:16; Rom. 6:4. Why is it wrong to sprinkle and call it baptism? The Lord did not bind it, and our actions must be within the realm of what he has bound.
Did the Lord bind (authorize) man's action in worship? Yes, John 4:24; Acts 2:42; 20:7; I Cor. 16:2; 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16. Why do you object to playing on a mechanical musical instrument in worship? This would be another act — something God did not bind.
Did the Lord bind (authorize) that elders were to oversee, watch, feed one congregation — "the flock among you"? Yes, I Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17; Titus 1:5. Why object to the elders planning, promoting and overseeing the work (any part of the work) of many congregations such as is done by the sponsoring churches, and churches that promote orphan homes for the brotherhood. The reason is, that the Lord bound that elders plan and oversee the work of one congregation, and to do otherwise would be doing something that was not bound.
Did the Lord bind (authorize) the congregation as the organization that would employ the methods and means of doing the work the church is to do? Yes, Acts 6; I Thess. 1:3-8; Phil. 1:5; Acts 20:28-32. Why object to another organization employing the means and methods of doing the work of the church? The congregation was bound, this other organization was not.
Did the Lord bind (authorize) the mission of the church? Yes, I Tim. 3:15; Eph. 3:10,11; 4:12; I Tim. 5:16. Why object to the church engaging in recreational activities; business; politics; and teaching of secular subjects? These are activities that God did not bind. I object to these for the same reason I object to sprinkling for baptism, and the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship. Man is not at liberty to go beyond the bounds of God's authority.
But there is something else that God has bound — He bound that man should choose methods and means to expedite his work, when the methods and means had not been specified; when they would edify; when they would not be an addition, subtraction, or substitution for what he had said.
Now let us notice some of the things which can be classified as these allowables: providing or finding a place to baptize; providing or finding a place to assemble; bringing people into groups for teaching; arranging to teach an individual or individuals; providing supplies for teaching such as, blackboard, chalk, chart, pen, ink, paper, Bibles, etc.; arranging transportation to a place of teaching; providing utensils for the Lord's Supper; and arranging for song books. These are things that God has authorized by generic teaching. No new act has been added; no foreign element has been introduced; nothing has been subtracted; no substitution has been made; and nothing has been changed that was specified. Man is only doing what the Lord has said. Examples show that Paul used means and methods at his hands in going and teaching — Eph. 3:3: Acts 20:6,7; 22:1. This truth is also vividly portrayed in the account of Noah building the ark. He could provide the means to get the wood, but he could get only gopher wood.
Brethren, this is the type of teaching that has caused many of us to be labeled as hobbyists; extremists; dangerous; and in need of disfellowship. This is the cause for our being called "narrow" by the denominationalist. Is the position I have presented resting upon God's eternal truth? Is this solid or sandy ground? I am slow to believe that all brethren are ready for the liberal idea expressed in these words, "What the apostles did not bind we are at liberty to engage in." Ah, arise and plant your feet upon the Bible!