Bible Study WELCOME TO AN IN DEPTH STUDY OF MATTHEW'S GOSPEL.

[Chopper]

I have 6 Greek NT 3 have it 3 do not.
Nestle-Aland, Westcott-Hort, Sinaticus DONOT have it in the text. Receptus, BEZA Greek NT, Apostic bible DO have it.
I expect this is just a manuescript difference and we will never know. BUT I like it in there.

I like it in there as well. Thank you.

 

[eddif]

Luke 2:1
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.). (In question for this verse?)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

I suppose the bible tends to say a public record was made of all people. Temple records, foreign records, family records, etc. would have been used.

eddif

 

[Chopper]

Hi Chopper, I will give you, and anyone else what I have studied. It will not be as condensed as concise study, but it will suffice to get one interested to study further if they want.

That would be wonderful. From the post's that have already been written about the genealogy of Jesus there is a good interest there. I think a thread on the subject would give everyone a chance to supply their own thoughts. Thank you.

 

[Chopper]

I found Jethro's post. 1359 interesting - he was saying how a church he knows (or attended) thrived because it had a pastor who encouraged reconciliation between members.

First, I'd like to say regarding Mathew 18:15-17 that most of my church friends would never do what this asks us to do because they feel what one does is none of their business. Plus, we're not in a real church environment anymore nowadays so it would just probably get the brother who sins against you very upset. Especially if you showed up with one or two others who were on your side and came along to reprimand the offending party. Sounds a bit like the goings on in those gangster movies. Who, in these days, gives the church this much power that this would really work?? We might be willing to do what Mathew 5:24 says - before leaving your gift at the altar, go and reconcile with your brother. But it'll end there, whether or not the brother accepts my apology or reprimand, depending on the case.

The other idea that came to mind is that I hear many say that we're not to judge. Mathew 7:1 says to not judge or we too will be judged. In the same way we judge others, we will be judged and with the same measure. This doesn't mean we're not to judge. I like to say that we're not to judge the status of the soul of another - that's only for God to do and to know. But I can certainly judge that it's wrong for a person to steal. I can certainly bring it up to them if I can manage to do so.

And the last thought is Mathew 7:4-5 How can I say to my brother take the speck our of your eye, if I have a plank in my eye. So we kind of feel that we're not perfect so how could we possibly bring anyone else's sin to their attention?

Last, but not least. I'd have to say that Jethro's post made me think of a cultish type church. I'm not sure why, I'd have to think on it a bit. Conforming? Disciplining? Ruling my life? A little like scientology?

Wondering

Hi dear Sister. Granted, we're not the first Century Church of Jesus the Son of God. BUT, these rules of Church discipline can be practiced in any Church that teaches the whole counsel of God (Elohim). The three Baptist Churches that I was the senior Pastor, we practiced these rules. Normally, each case was solved at the Deacon level where the offending person was there and two or three others who knew of the situation were there. That's the ideal.

Now, I never took a case to the Church body. I have heard bad reports of that being done because in every church membership there are gossip's and this kind of meeting with sordid details can fuel gossip. It doesn't have to in a mature Church, but an immature church, they should forget this last rule and stay with the two witnesses, the sinner, and the Deacon board until it's final situation. The Deacon board has the authority to expel a sinning member.

 

[brother Paul]

I like it in there as well. Thank you.

You are in good company Chopper. In fact, though missing from Sinaiticus and Vaticanus (both heavily edited texts), 18:11 is not only in every other Uncial except 1 (L) but we also find it in the Old Latin and the Aramaic Peshitta (Syriac/Antiochian) and the early Armenian text all from centuries before these three exceptions (one of which was a throw away). In addition it is quoted by some of the early church fathers also before these heavily edited later versions. Finally, there is no dispute mentioned by those quoting it (as it appears there is with some passages)....they quote it assuming it as a quite natural part of the document tradition they had passed down to them.

 

[Chopper]

You are in good company Chopper. In fact, though missing from Sinaiticus and Vaticanus (both heavily edited texts), 18:11 is not only in every other Uncial except 1 (L) but we also find it in the Old Latin and the Aramaic Peshitta (Syriac/Antiochian) and the early Armenian text all from centuries before these three exceptions (one of which was a throw away). In addition it is quoted by some of the early church fathers also before these heavily edited later versions. Finally, there is no dispute mentioned by those quoting it (as it appears there is with some passages)....they quote it assuming it as a quite natural part of the document tradition they had passed down to them.

Hi Brother Paul My good friend Roro1972 put me on this web site. http://www.scionofzion.com/esv_exposed.htm of which I'm deeply appreciative. I had purchased the ESV several years ago because of a statement at the beginning pages. When I first read the source of manuscripts that the ESV comes from, for some reason I was deceived into thinking that this translation was true to the KJV. I was deceived probably because I'd forgotten my manuscript studies of approx. 30 years ago.

As a result, I have returned to my good old KJV. I have a rare, out of print, KJV Bible. It's the "Newberry Reference Bible, portable Edition" by Kregel Publications. The reason I like this edition is that it indicates God's Divine titles; EL, ELOHIM, ELAHAH, JEHOVAH and so on. For me, that's important.

 

[Douglas Summers]

There is an important point here Joseph was the line of Jesus LEGAL claim to the throne of David. Joseph was not his father.
To show that Jesus WAS of the line of David one needs to go to Mary and will still lead back to David. HE IS THE KING![/QUOTE]
Hi, If Jesus had been of the actual bloodline of Joseph, He would not be qualified to sit on the throne as the son of David. Joseph's bloodline comes from the royal bloodline of the kings of Israel through King Jeconiah or Coniah (the same king) Matthew and Luke have their similarities and their differences.. Luke goes back to Adam and Matthew starts out with Abraham. They are in absolute agreement from Abraham to David, it is the son of David where the great difference begins, Luke traces our Lord 's ancestry of David through Nathan. (Luke 3: 31) Whereas Matthew uses the Royal line of David through Solomon. (Matt. 1: 6-7). Christ came through Mary's bloodline and Joseph bloodline was from King Jeconiah (Coniah). Jeconiah's bloodline was cursed by God to never have his son's to set on the throne of David.
(Jer. 22: 24-30) . Both Mary and Joseph are descendants of David.

 

[brother Paul]

As for the following verse 18:18 we have based on theologies...it reads "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"

One RC view is the Priests and Bishops have a power.to make anything they do binding (tghey can absolve or condemn for example)

Many pentacostals see it as authority to bind and loose demons

Messianics and others say this should read as the Hebraist understanding would have grasped it even though written in Greek and offer this understanding

Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be (that which is) bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be(that which is) loosed in heaven

I favor the last view, what are some of your thoughts?

 

[GodsGrace]

As for the following verse 18:18 we have based on theologies...it reads "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"

One RC view is the Priests and Bishops have a power.to make anything they do binding (tghey can absolve or condemn for example)

Many pentacostals see it as authority to bind and loose demons

Messianics and others say this should read as the Hebraist understanding would have grasped it even though written in Greek and offer this understanding

Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be (that which is) bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be(that which is) loosed in heaven

I favor the last view, what are some of your thoughts?

Priests and Bishops can absolve or condemn for example. What? Sin? Isn't only God able to forgive sin?
Mathew 18:11 sends me to John 20:23 which does sound more like the forgiving of sins. Same problem.
Can't only God forgive sin?

In Mathew16:19 Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. The keys denote authority in the bible. Jesus says He will build His church on this rock. It seems from what I can gather that He did indeed mean Peter. So He's giving Peter some authority. But for what?

I use Young's Literal Translation (sorry!) It says for Mathew 18:18
"Verily I say to you, Whatever things ye may bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heaven, and whatever things ye may loose on the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens."

Jesus even says "verily" giving what He is about to say more importance.
Plus He says this right after speaking about how to resolve disputes between believers.

So I've always thought of the loosing and binding as being the power and authority for a bishop of that time to proclaim who can be admitted into the "congregation" and who cannot be admitted for whatever reason, maybe due to unbelief in doctrine or the group's laws or unrepented sin...etc. So could it have to do with how the believer's in dispute react to the decision of the church?

On the other hand, from the Greek in Young's it seems that the binding happens first IN HEAVEN and the bishop just proclaims it bound or loosed. Which would annul my previous paragraph.

Also, does this have anything at all to do with John 20:23 re the forgiving of sins?

Wondering
I doubt it means loosing and binding demons. Did the Jews of Jesus' time even believe in literal demons...

 

[Chopper]

First of all, verse 18 is our next study. Since you have cited it, lets tackle it.

January 27th 2016 Matthew 18:18 Bind & Loosen.

Matthew 18:18 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.

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 16:19 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.

John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

The preceding three Scripture passages all relate to Binding & loosening. To properly understanding this topic, we must IMO consider what has just been written to the "CHURCH" in verse 17.

Lets look at what Albert Barnes had to say about the John 20:23...."Whose soever sins ... - See the notes at Mat_16:19; Mat_18:18. It is worthy of remark here that Jesus confers the same power on all the apostles. He gives to no one of them any special authority. If Peter, as the Papists pretend, had been appointed to any special authority, it is wonderful that the Saviour did not here hint at any such pre-eminence. This passage conclusively proves that they were invested with equal power in organizing and governing the church. The authority which he had given Peter to preach the gospel first to the Jews and the Gentiles, does not militate against this. See the notes at Mat_16:18-19. This authority given them was full proof that they were inspired. The meaning of the passage is not that man can forgive sins that belongs only to God Isa_43:23 but that they should be inspired; that in founding the church, and in declaring the will of God, they should be taught by the Holy Spirit to declare on what terms, to what characters, and to what temper of mind God would extend forgiveness of sins. It was not authority to forgive individuals, but to establish in all the churches the terms and conditions on which men might be pardoned, with a promise that God would confirm all that they taught; that all might have assurance of forgiveness who would comply with those terms; and that those who did not comply should not be forgiven, but that their sins should be retained. This commission is as far as possible from the authority which the Roman Catholic claims of remitting sin and of pronouncing pardon." (e-Sword)

Every once in a while we come into contact with an age old question. "What scripture is for just the Apostles and what is for us today?"
There are some who say that the Apostles were the only ones who had this authority in the first Century Church. Others say it's for all Christians. What do you say?

Here's another quote from Albert Barnes on binding & loosening....
Whatsoever thou shalt bind ... - "The phrase “to bind” and “to loose” was often used by the Jews. It meant to prohibit and to permit. To bind a thing was to forbid it; to loose it, to allow it to be done. Thus, they said about gathering wood on the Sabbath day, “The school of Shammei binds it” - i. e., forbids it; “the school of Hillel looses it” - i. e., allows it. When Jesus gave this power to the apostles, he meant that whatsoever they forbade in the church should have divine authority; whatever they permitted, or commanded, should also have divine authority - that is, should be bound or loosed in heaven, or meet the approbation of God. They were to be guided infallibly in the organization of the church." (e-Sword)

The Catholic Church uses Peter as the only one who had this authority, I believe, and the Papist line would continue to exercise this kind of authority. The Pentecostal Church believes that all Christians have this power that Almighty God will recognize.

Ok, what's going on here?

 

[Roro1972]

Priests and Bishops can absolve or condemn for example. What? Sin? Isn't only God able to forgive sin?
Mathew 18:11 sends me to John 20:23 which does sound more like the forgiving of sins. Same problem.
Can't only God forgive sin?

In Mathew16:19 Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. The keys denote authority in the bible. Jesus says He will build His church on this rock. It seems from what I can gather that He did indeed mean Peter. So He's giving Peter some authority. But for what?

I use Young's Literal Translation (sorry!) It says for Mathew 18:18
"Verily I say to you, Whatever things ye may bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heaven, and whatever things ye may loose on the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens."

Jesus even says "verily" giving what He is about to say more importance.
Plus He says this right after speaking about how to resolve disputes between believers.

So I've always thought of the loosing and binding as being the power and authority for a bishop of that time to proclaim who can be admitted into the "congregation" and who cannot be admitted for whatever reason, maybe due to unbelief in doctrine or the group's laws or unrepented sin...etc. So could it have to do with how the believer's in dispute react to the decision of the church?

On the other hand, from the Greek in Young's it seems that the binding happens first IN HEAVEN and the bishop just proclaims it bound or loosed. Which would annul my previous paragraph.

Also, does this have anything at all to do with John 20:23 re the forgiving of sins?

Wondering
I doubt it means loosing and binding demons. Did the Jews of Jesus' time even believe in literal demons...

and we know "Ye" is plural so John was not talking about one person of the church remitting sin.

 

[Douglas Summers]

First of all, verse 18 is our next study. Since you have cited it, lets tackle it.

January 27th 2016 Matthew 18:18 Bind & Loosen.

Matthew 18:18 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.

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 16:19 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.

John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.


Every once in a while we come into contact with an age old question. "What scripture is for just the Apostles and what is for us today?"
There are some who say that the Apostles were the only ones who had this authority in the first Century Church. Others say it's for all Christians. What do you say?



The Catholic Church uses Peter as the only one who had this authority, I believe, and the Papist line would continue to exercise this kind of authority. The Pentecostal Church believes that all Christians have this power that Almighty God will recognize.

Ok, what's going on here?

Hi Chopper, This responsibility, Given to The Apostles was of the active Spirit of Christ that bonds the repented and regenerated man to one body in unity in Christ (His Body), and Christ ,being the head of that body. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are not ours to use, but it is the Spirit working through us (1 Corinthians chapter 12). These gifts are not something we decide we are good at, but the Spirit is sovereign and gives us gifts as He wills. This is not just a gift to a member, but is is the gift of the Spirit to forgive with the Church (Christ Body) in agreement through corporate grace. In other words, in true fellowship with the Lord is not just to agree Scripturaly, but that we share the mercy that comes by grace, having genuine pity and Godly love for the sinner as one body. This is the Spiritual nature of a born again believer and can not be understood by the curios or idle nominal Christian.. but the nominal christian thinks he has the authority individually by his own will and that Christ will agree with him. That is why you do not see any miracles in the Churches of Loadicea. The visible church runs ahead of Christ as they leave Christ outside the door, knocking, wanting to know if He can come in.
The fellowship in the Body of believers in Christ is so complete,that Christ feels the pain of His Saints. (Acts 9: 1-4) The Lord identifies Himself with His people.
So the answer is that the forgiving of sin is given to those, through Christ in them (plural), not as an individual who goes to Church. (singular). And somewhere in the visible church, even though it may be small is the Church of Philadelphia.

Any claim of anything else is not of Christ. The Scriptures are clear to the believer through the Spirit. Our direction comes from the Lord, not from some man appointed over us.
Here it is in Scripture. (Acts 3: 1-16)

 

[GodsGrace]

Hi Chopper,
Thought Brother Paul brought verse 18 up. Hope I didn't mess things up for you.

Many years ago I questioned whether Christ came to bring us a way of life, HOW to live a good life, OR did He come here to set up a church. If He came here to set up a church (which i didn't believe at that time) then He would have had to put someone in charge. So I studied back then the Greek for "On This Rock" in Mathew 16:18 and it explained the tense and how Jesus would not have noted the little Rock and then immediately after spoke of the Big Rock (Himself), so a whole set of ideas which I can't really even remember, but I do remember thinking that He did come to build a church. So He could have wanted to start this with Peter since he was the strongest of the Apostles. Then a particular church wants to say he was the first pope - different story and I'm not concerned with this.

Please help with this, if possible. You say the binding is done here but is it to reflect what is already bound in heaven? In Young's Literal Translation it sounds like it's bound in heaven FIRST and then we just proclaim it.

In other words, you say:

The meaning of the passage is not that man can forgive sins that belongs only to God Isa_43:23 but that they should be inspired; that in founding the church, and in declaring the will of God, they should be taught by the Holy Spirit to declare on what terms, to what characters, and to what temper of mind God would extend forgiveness of sins. It was not authority to forgive individuals, but to establish in all the churches the terms and conditions on which men might be pardoned, with a promise that God would confirm all that they taught; that all might have assurance of forgiveness who would comply with those terms; and that those who did not comply should not be forgiven, but that their sins should be retained.

See, it seems that the apostles just declare what the terms are. The terms must be the conditions of God and thus God can promise to confirm all that they taught.

Maybe it's simple and what I'm saying (in post 1389) is what you're saying and I'm just not grasping it.

Please confirm, I'd appreciate it.

Have comments on your two questions but must go now.

Wondering

 

[eddif]

Matthew 16:16 KJV
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The bedrock is the Father and the Son is the cornerstone.

Peter you are the small foundation stone (although the foundation stones of the physical temple may have weighed 100 tons or better).

Ephesians 2:20 KJV
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Is Peter significant yes. What are we?
I Peter 2:5 KJV
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

We are built on the foundation stones.

What is done in heaven the foundation stones support and we as living stones do. Molded stones by rod and staff.

Matthew 6:10 KJV
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

The creator of plate techtonics is the lithos. The Father Son and Holy Spirit are in agreement.

eddif

 

[GodsGrace]

Matthew 16:16 KJV
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The bedrock is the Father and the Son is the cornerstone.

Peter you are the small foundation stone (although the foundation stones of the physical temple may have weighed 100 tons or better).

Ephesians 2:20 KJV
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Is Peter significant yes. What are we?
I Peter 2:5 KJV
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

We are built on the foundation stones.

What is done in heaven the foundation stones support and we as living stones do. Molded stones by rod and staff.

Matthew 6:10 KJV
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

The creator of plate techtonics is the lithos. The Father Son and Holy Spirit are in agreement.

eddif

Thanks for Mathew 6:10. This would confirm what I understand. We could only loose or bind on earth what is already loosed or bound in heaven...

The creator of plate tech tonics - okay.
How does lithos fit in??

Wondering

 

[GodsGrace]

and we know "Ye" is plural so John was not talking about one person of the church remitting sin.

Roro,

I hate to get into this since it's not what I meant to get into, but here we are!
Ye is plural. Okay.
So can't that mean that Jesus meant that ALL the apostles could forgive sin?
For John 20:23

I mean, I don't think man could forgive sin - just to follow up on the thought.
I does seem, though, that Jesus is passing on this authority even if it goes against all that we know. (if you just use this one scripture).

Wondering

 

[eddif]

Thanks for Mathew 6:10. This would confirm what I understand. We could only loose or bind on earth what is already loosed or bound in heaven...

The creator of plate tech tonics - okay.
How does lithos fit in??


Wondering

I wear out Romans 1:19-20 , but it is there.
Creation does hide great truths (shadow, parables, or types) but still it can help our understanding.

The kingdom is not built on sand. It is not all of a sudden floating on just Jesus, apostles, us, Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, etc. I should say at this juncture that the Father put things under Jesus, but Jesus is seated at his right hand.

So

The lessons of creation still stand. The lithos (huge rock outcropping like country size) is the stable place to build. Not the law as such, but the law used lawfully (written on hearts of flesh) and not carved in stone.

Since God created earth plates; he is also the author of casting Satan out of heaven, demons out of man, prophets speaking of messiah to come, ox relating to bishop, seeds relating to the word of God, etc.

Every physical thing is designed so it can reveal an abstract truth. You can get into symbolism too much, but scripture shows it does exist.

eddif

 

[Roro1972]

Roro,

I hate to get into this since it's not what I meant to get into, but here we are!
Ye is plural. Okay.
So can't that mean that Jesus meant that ALL the apostles could forgive sin?
For John 20:23

I mean, I don't think man could forgive sin - just to follow up on the thought.
I does seem, though, that Jesus is passing on this authority even if it goes against all that we know. (if you just use this one scripture).

Wondering

you are so right no man can forgive sin, I threw that in because someone posted about "A" bishop remitting sin.

 

[Chopper]

Hi Chopper,
Thought Brother Paul brought verse 18 up. Hope I didn't mess things up for you.

Many years ago I questioned whether Christ came to bring us a way of life, HOW to live a good life, OR did He come here to set up a church. If He came here to set up a church (which i didn't believe at that time) then He would have had to put someone in charge. So I studied back then the Greek for "On This Rock" in Mathew 16:18 and it explained the tense and how Jesus would not have noted the little Rock and then immediately after spoke of the Big Rock (Himself), so a whole set of ideas which I can't really even remember, but I do remember thinking that He did come to build a church. So He could have wanted to start this with Peter since he was the strongest of the Apostles. Then a particular church wants to say he was the first pope - different story and I'm not concerned with this.

Please help with this, if possible. You say the binding is done here but is it to reflect what is already bound in heaven? In Young's Literal Translation it sounds like it's bound in heaven FIRST and then we just proclaim it.

In other words, you say:

The meaning of the passage is not that man can forgive sins that belongs only to God Isa_43:23 but that they should be inspired; that in founding the church, and in declaring the will of God, they should be taught by the Holy Spirit to declare on what terms, to what characters, and to what temper of mind God would extend forgiveness of sins. It was not authority to forgive individuals, but to establish in all the churches the terms and conditions on which men might be pardoned, with a promise that God would confirm all that they taught; that all might have assurance of forgiveness who would comply with those terms; and that those who did not comply should not be forgiven, but that their sins should be retained.

See, it seems that the apostles just declare what the terms are. The terms must be the conditions of God and thus God can promise to confirm all that they taught.

Maybe it's simple and what I'm saying (in post 1389) is what you're saying and I'm just not grasping it.

Please confirm, I'd appreciate it.

Have comments on your two questions but must go now.

Wondering

Hi Wondering. To answer your first question, no, you did not mess things up. instead, it helped to keep v.18 n context with the previous. Here is what I understand about the establishment of Christ's Church that He established on earth. Actually, prior to Pentecost, Jesus gave forth many instructions on how we, as His followers, should function in this new thing called "Church".

Once the Holy Spirit arrived in great power and evidence at Pentecost a wonderful event happened that would enforce God's (Elohim) will concerning the Church of His Son, Jesus. You see, in glorifying Jesus the Son of God, the Church would be a vehicle in which the Father would glorify the Son and the Son, thru His leaders would glorify the Fathers efforts on behalf of Himself and His Church.

Personally, I believe there is much confusion on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which happens at Salvation, and the entering of the power and ministry of Christ Jesus through His Spirit which happened at Pentecost. Stay with me now!

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit....John 20:22 "And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."....Why is this so important you ask? This is after Jesus had resurrected and the first of two appearances to His Disciples who would become the heads of this new Church.

When Jesus breathed on them, remember when God breathed life into the first man Adam? That gave LIFE to Adam and when Jesus breathed on the Disciples, that put a new power source into His believers which would establish a Temple of the Holy Spirit which in turn would establish a new holy place for the Holy Spirit to minister Jesus' works from then on. That means, when you and I believed the the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23-25) concerning Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, we became "Born Again" and the breath of Jesus enters your and my body creating a Temple for the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Yours and my indwelling the Holy Spirit, yep, in order to function the way our Heavenly Father wills, we must enter the Holy Spirit. That's why we call these two events Baptisms. First a Baptism of the Holy Spirit into the Family of God at Salvation, and then a Baptism IN the Holy Spirit.

Because this is so long, I'll stop here and start another page concerning binding and loosening.

 

[brother Paul]

to establish in all the churches the terms and conditions on which men might be pardoned, with a promise that God would confirm all that they taught

I agree with this interpretation....the forgiveness of sins here mentioned is an authority delegated (not a power any of us possess on our own merit or position) that allows the Apostles (and then subsequent Bishops) to affirm that a person(s) is forgiven....(I think this is by the keys revealed in Acts 2:38, 39)...that if a truly repentant person (a state of the heart before God) is immersed INTO the name (presence, authority, beneficient work) of the Lord Jesus Christ, they shall receive God's gift (which the Father promised) of the Holy Spirit (hence be born from above)

Only those who have the Spirit in them are His children (Romans 8:9). Only His offspring have the remission of their sins