Here is a theological question. I'd like to hear your opinion whether you agree with me or not.
The Sunday school lesson I taught the end of July centered around Peter's confession of faith at Caeserea Philippi when he said to Jesus, "Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God."
Jesus commended Peter for this correct answer which God had revealed to him. Then Jesus said, "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. 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."
These verses are the basis for the Catholic belief that Peter was the first pope and that the pope is infallible. The voice of the pope is the voice of God. We Mennonites reject that teaching but we have embraced the idea that in these verses Jesus is giving the church authority to make rules and excommunicate those who break them.
Are these verses really talking about church authority? I don't think so. Why would Jesus abruptly change the subject from faith to church authority? Here is my understanding of what Jesus was saying.
1. The church is not built upon Peter but upon the belief that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God.
2. God (not Peter) is the revealer of Truth. Jesus (not Peter) is the builder of the church.
3. Belief in Jesus (not keeping a set of church rules) is the key to the kingdom (the way to enter heaven).
4. Jesus entrusted this key to Peter (and all believers), giving us the responsibility to share the Gospel with all men on earth. Jesus builds the church but the job of spreading the Gospel has been given to human beings.
5. Those we do not share the Gospel with will remain bound in their sin and those we do tell the Good News can be set free (loosed).
I believe the church does have the authority to make rules and maintain order in the church. I also believe we are obligated to keep the rules of the church we choose to join. I just think these verses are talking about evangelism rather than church discipline. Have we swallowed some Catholicism in applying these verses to church discipline? What do you think?
1 comment:
I think your explanation of the true gospel in these verses shows insight to the message of Matthew throughout his epistle. Peter is a man of faith,for sure, but just a man, as he proved in his denial of the Lord 3 times before the cock crowed. God built His church on the One and Only Son of God, Jesus Crist, and the "church", the body of believers worshipping together are called to bring Him glory. Rules are necessary in the governing of all bodies but should never be used to exclude anyone. "For all have sin and fall short of the glory of God." It is ours to share the good news, serve one another, and as Jesus's last command directs, to "love one another".
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