Whatsoever you bind?
 

I would be interested in the thought's of pastors and ministers on the following scriptures.



Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Mat 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.

Re: Whatsoever you bind?
 

This ought to be interesting.
We're all over the map on that and Matthew 16:19

Re: Whatsoever you bind?
 

Matt 18 actually gives the answer. Keep reading:

Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

Binding and loosing a person is forgiving a person or not forgiving a person. Literally, it means requiring something or not requiring it.

Jesus gave us that much authority that when two or three of us make a decision on a person's state, being forgiven or not, due to the reaction of requiring one to repent, that it is as though Jesus made the decision. That is what it means for two or three to gather in his name and see Him in their midst. It does not mean if only two show up for church Jesus is there.

Re: Whatsoever you bind?
 

forgiveness is the trademark of a christian...

Re: Whatsoever you bind?
 

Re: Whatsoever you bind?
 

Re: Whatsoever you bind?
 

I see this as relating to church discipline. For example if a brother is caught in a sin the church might have him bound from participating in choir, Sunday School, ushering, leadership, etc. However, the church holds the authority to loose the man upon demonstration of remorse and use him again. Whatever the church binds in the way of disciplinary action is bound in Heaven.

Re: Whatsoever you bind?
 

How many people have to gather for it to be church?

Re: Whatsoever you bind?
 

More than three, I would say. :) But I suspect it is talking about the elders of the church being together. Not in a congregation with any Tom, Dick or Harry attending.

Re: Whatsoever you bind?
 

The forgiveness I spoke about, and what Jesus meant. was loosing one from prison. If the person has not repented, then THAT forgiveness has not occurred.