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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Expand (07/18/13)
World Shaking News

Please enjoy reading Matthew 13:13-20 (NIV) as we expand and develop its content.
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

What part of this Bible story do we hear people talking about? Yes, I agree with you. It is verse 17 and 18.

What we don’t hear much about is verse 19. The reason for this, I feel, is the lack of connection it has been given to any other Bible verses. I want to enlarge your understanding of this verse by developing the context that it refers to. The binding and loosing belong to two separate Bible stories.

The binding and the loosing belong to Acts chapter 2 (and chapter 10 which we will cover later.)

We will start with the phrase “whatsoever you bind on earth will be (or has been) bound in heaven. This phrase speaks of what Peter commanded those who believed that Jesus was both Lord and Messiah. In Acts Chapter two Peter expanded his hearer's understanding of several basic Bible concepts. He then teaches something entirely new.

Act 2:36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

This is an entirely new fact. This principle will affect all mankind. If Jesus is both LORD and Messiah, a response is necessary. The desired response is belief. If belief is achieved the next expected response is repentance.

Many of Peter’s listeners made this response as seen in verse 37.
Acts 2:37 reads, “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

When this desired response of belief and repentance occurs as was shown by their question, (“Brothers, what shall we do?”); Peter then demands a second response and states what the result will be when this response is made.

Acts 2:38-39 reads: Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

This second response is stated as a command and this is what Peter “bound on earth” because it was bound in heaven.

What this means is that a person does not have his sins forgiven just because he/she believe that Jesus died for them. Each one who believes that Jesus is the Lord and Messiah (or Christ) must obey Peter’s second command which is to be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. This is when they are born anew or again. When they are given the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, this identifies them as a child of God.

When we have understood this teaching, we can certainly see it is world shaking in the Christian Community.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
07/26/13
This is an interesting Bible Study. I can feel your desire to share your understanding of the Bible with others. I did notice the verse you quoted was different than the one you suggested we read. (I think you meant chapter 16) You may want to consider, not quoting the entire passages, especially since we have that wonderful tool that allows us to see the verses if we just put the mouse over it. That way it will leave you with more words so you can expand and possibly even share some personal event that will help the reader relate with your message. I know not everyone's mind works that way, but for me personally, often things click better when an example is given. I do thank you for sharing the information. It's interesting and made me stop and think which is always a good thing. :)
Brenda Rice
07/26/13
You raised some interesting points and I agree with you for the most part.

You obviously have a deep hunger for God's Word and a strong desire to share it. Thanks for sharing this entry.
Sheldon Bass 
08/19/13
You have a gift for teaching, given for the glory of God. I too teach, though it is strictly Bible classes these days. I truly enjoyed this piece. I like the way you used Peter's message as a real world example to show the spiritual truth being applied. I agree that all of the scripture might not need to be written out, making room for some personal experience or application of the same truth. Good work brother! Keep on writ'n!