IN Matt. 16:19 are words of Christ which have not only been the means of much controversy, but have been perverted into a support of the papal dogmas of the succession from Peter and the infallibility of the pope. The text reads: "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."
The false conclusion cited above arises from a human interpretation of the scripture. Other scriptures give us more reliable exposition of the text—more reliable because God's means of imparting an understanding of the Word is through "comparing spiritual things with spiritual." 1 Cor. 2:11-13. In John 20:23 we have the equivalent of Matt. 16:19, spoken manifestly to all the apostles: "Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained."
There is but one way by which the apostles could act in such capacity, and that is by preaching the Gospel of Christ; and the matter of sins being remitted or retained must be decided by the action of those who hear, whether they believe or reject the Gospel. Whatever the minister imparts he can only impart by the Spirit through the Word; and, whatever the hearer receives he can receive only by faith in Jesus Christ as the Saviour of sinners. "To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness." Dan 9:9. "Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31. "Through this man is preached unto you forgiveness of sins." Chapter 13:38. This is all that the minister can do, even though he be an apostle or an angel from heaven. Gal. 1:6-8.
In Matt. 18:18 this idea of binding and loosing is again presented: "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." From the context it is indisputable from any standpoint that this scripture applies to any individual Christian against whom a brother may trespass. The Lord says: "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. 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. 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." Verses 15-17. Then follows this conclusion, addressed to the Christian, whoever he may be, to whom the foregoing admonition may apply: "Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven." Bound to what?—Why, you have bound your brother to you in Christian love, by the power of the Spirit through obedience to the Word. Therefore you have bound him to Christ. You have "gained" (redeemed) your brother unto the church and unto Christ. "And whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Loosed from what?—Loosed from the sin of trespassing against a brother, which means a trespass against Christ. It is every Christian's privilege, through the Gospel, to be instrumental in loosing souls from the thralldom of sin, and in binding them to Him who gave His life for their ransom.