Harvest fellowship website

https://www.harvestbibleaz.org

Harvest statement of faith

https://www.harvestbibleaz.org/confession-of-faith.html

Church Fathers who taught penal SubstitionaryAtonement

http://www.piratechristian.com/captains-log/2016/5/penal-substitution-in-the-writings-of-the-church-fathers

Assumption not to believed

"In these conditions we shall not ask patristic thought—as some theologians still do today under one form or another—to transmit to us, with respect to the Assumption, a truth received as such in the beginning and faithfully communicated to subsequent ages. Such an attitude would not fit the facts…Patristic thought has not, in this instance, played the role of a sheer instrument of transmission’ (Juniper B. Carol, O.F.M., ed., Mariology, Vol. I (Milwaukee: Bruce, 1955), p. 154).

Assumption origins

"An intriguing corpus of literature on the final lot of Mary is formed by the apocryphal Transitus Mariae. The genesis of these accounts is shrouded in history’s mist. They apparently originated before the close of the fifth century, perhaps in Egypt, perhaps in Syria, in consequence of the stimulus given Marian devotion by the definition of the divine Maternity at Ephesus. The period of proliferation is the sixth century. At least a score of Transitus accounts are extant, in Coptic, Greek, Latin, Syriac, Arabic, Ethiopic, and Armenian. Not all are prototypes, for many are simply variations on more ancient models" (Juniper Carol, O.F.M. ed., Mariology, Vol. II (Milwaukee: Bruce, 1957), p. 144).

Assumption garbage

"The idea of the bodily assumption of Mary is first expressed in certain transitus–narratives of the fifth and sixth centuries. Even though these are apocryphal they bear witness to the faith of the generation in which they were written despite their legendary clothing. The first Church author to speak of the bodily ascension of Mary, in association with an apocryphal transitus" B.M.V., is St. Gregory of Tours’ (Ludwig Ott, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma (Rockford: Tan, 1974), pp. 209–210)

Assumption

Juniper Carol explicitly states that the Transitus literature is a complete fabrication which should be rejected by any serious historian:

The account of Pseudo-Melito, like the rest of the Transitus literature, is admittedly valueless as history, as an historical report of Mary’s death and corporeal assumption; under that aspect the historian is justified in dismissing it with a critical distaste (Juniper Carol, O.F.M. ed., Mariology, Vol. l (Milwaukee: Bruce, 1957), p. 150).

Apocrypha

In 494 to 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius issued a decree entitled Decretum de Libris Canonicis Ecclesiasticis et Apocryphis. This decree officially set forth the writings which were considered to be canonical and those which were apocryphal and were to be rejected. He gives a list of apocryphal writings and makes the following statement regarding them:

The remaining writings which have been compiled or been recognised by heretics or schismatics the Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church does not in any way receive; of these we have thought it right to cite below some which have been handed down and which are to be avoided by catholics (New Testament Apocrypha, Wilhelm Schneemelcher, ed. (Cambridge: James Clarke, 1991), p. 38)

Even more papal corruption

Pope John XV

John XV was Pope from 985 to 996. The Pope’s venality and nepotism had made him very unpopular with the citizens, as he split the church’s finances among his relatives and was described as “covetous of filthy lucre and corrupt in all his acts.”

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Pope Boniface VIII

Pope Boniface VIII maintained his position through lavish distribution of stolen money. He was quoted saying, "to enjoy oneself and lie carnally with women or with boys is no more a sin than rubbing one's hands together."

Pope Clement VII

Clement VII was Pope from 1523 to 1534. A member of the powerful Medici family, Clement VII possessed great political and diplomatic skills – but he lacked the understanding of the age necessary to cope with the political and religious changes he faced. His relationship with Emperor Charles V was so bad that, in May 1527, Charles invaded Italy and sacked Rome.  Imprisoned, Clement was forced into a humiliating compromise which forced him to give up a great deal of secular and religious power.Eventually, Clement became ill and never recovered. He died on September 25, 1534, hated by the people of Rome, who never forgave him for the destruction of 1527

Papal corruption

Pope Alexander VI

Alexander VI was Pope from 1492 to 1503. He is the most controversial of the secular popes of the Renaissance, and his surname (Italianized as Borgia) became a byword for the debased standards of the papacy of that era.Originally Cardinal Borgia from Spain, Pope Alexander’s claims to fame were taking over much of Italy by force with the help of his son Cesare (yes, his son), a racy relationship with his daughter Lucrezia (some say her son was his), and his affinity for throwing large parties, bordering on orgies, that usually culminated with little naked boys jumping out of large cakes.

Pope Innocent IV

Innocent IV was Pope from 1243 to 1254.Certainly the Inquisition represents the darkest of Roman Church history, and it was Innocent IV who approved the use of torture to extract confessions of heresy. He aggressively applied the principle that “the end justifies the means.” It is shocking to learn about the deranged instruments of torture that were used on so many innocent people. One of the most famous people to suffer at the hands of Roman inquisitors was Galileo. The church condemned Galileo for claiming that the earth revolved around the sun.

Pope Urban VI

Urban VI was Pope from 1378 to 1389. He was the first Pope of the Western Schism (which ultimately lead to three people claiming the Papal throne at the same time). Once elected, he was prone to outbursts of rage. The cardinals who elected him decided that they had made the wrong decision and they elected a new Pope in his place, so he took the name of Clement VII and started a second Papal court in Avignon, France. Later he would launch a program of violence against those he thought to have been conspiring against him, imprisoning people at will and mistreating them brutally. Later historians have considered seriously that he might have been insane.

The second election threw the Church into turmoil. There had been antipopes, rival claimants to the papacy, before, but most of them had been appointed by various rival factions; in this case, the legitimate leaders of the Church themselves had created both popes. The conflict quickly escalated from a church problem to a diplomatic crisis that divided Europe. Secular leaders had to choose which pope they would recognize.The schism was repaired forty years later when all three of the (then) reigning Popes abdicated together and a successor elected in the person of Pope Martin V.

Papal bribes

Pope Alexander VI

Pope Alexander VI won the election of the papacy by bribery. He lived with a woman with whom he had a daughter; whom afterward he committed incest with and produced five children. He also lived in public incest with his two sisters. He conducted a sex orgy in the Vatican in which he had a banquet featuring fifty nude girls who danced and serviced the guests – and even offered prizes to the man who could engage in sexual intercourse the most times.

Pope Leo X

Leo X was Pope from 1513 to his death in 1521. He is known primarily for the sale of indulgences to reconstruct St. Peter’s Basilica and his challenging of Martin Luther’s 95 theses.

According to Alexandre Dumas, “under his pontificate, Christianity assumed a pagan character, which, passing from art into manners, gives to this epoch a strange complexion. Crimes for the moment disappeared, to give place to vices; but to charming vices, vices in good taste, such as those indulged in by Alcibiades and sung by Catullus.”When he became Pope, Leo X is reported to have said to his brother Giuliano: “Since God has given us the papacy, let us enjoy it.”

His extravagance offended not only people like Martin Luther, but also some cardinals, who, led by Alfonso Petrucci of Siena, plotted an assassination attempt. Eventually, Pope Leo found out who these people were, and had them followed. The conspirators died of “food poisoning.” Some people argue that Leo X and his followers simply concocted the assassination charges in a moneymaking scheme to collect fines from the various wealthy cardinals Leo X detested.

Popes murdering popes

3Pope Sergius III:

Ordered the murder of another pope and started the “pornocracy”.  Sergius III was Pope from 897 to 911, and has been the only pope known to have ordered the murder of another pope and the only known to have fathered an illegitimate son who later became pope; his pontificate has been described as “dismal and disgraceful.”The pontificate of Sergius III was remarkable for the rise of what papal historians call a “pornocracy,” or rule of the harlots, a reversal of the natural order as they saw it, according to Liber pontificalis and a later chronicler who was also biased against Sergius III. This “pornocracy” was an age with women in power: Theodora, whom Liutprand characterized as a “shameless whore… [who] exercised power on the Roman citizenry like a man” and her daughter Marozia, the mother of Pope John XI (931–935) and reputed to be the mistress of Sergius III.

Pope John XII

John XII was Pope from 955 to 964. On 963, Holy Roman Emperor Otto I summoned a council, levelling charges that John had ordained a deacon in a stable, consecrated a 10-year-old boy as bishop of Todi, converted the Lateran Palace into a brothel, raped female pilgrims in St. Peter’s, stolen church offerings, drank toasts to the devil, and invoked the aid of Jove, Venus, and other pagan gods when playing dice. He was deposed, but returned as pope when Otto left Rome, maiming and mutilating all who had opposed him. On 964, he was apparently beaten by the husband of a woman with which he was having an affair, dying three days later without receiving confession or the sacraments.

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Pope John XXII

Pope John XXII was said to have seduced and violated three hundred nuns. He must have had a strong and insatiable libido for he kept a harem of no less than two hundred girls. He was called "the most depraved criminal who ever sat on the papal throne." A Vatican record says this about him, "His lordship, Pope John, committed perversity with the wife of his brother, incest with holy nuns, intercourse with virgins, adultery with the married, and all sorts of sex crimes... wholly given to sleep and other carnal desires, totally adverse to the life and teaching of Christ... he was publicly called the Devil incarnate."

Catholic history

If The Catholic Church wants to claim universal jurisdiction over the church, then shouldn't they get their doctrine straight.  Why so many changes, back and forth theology, etc.  Look at this horrible history...325 AD

At the general council of Nice, 325, it was proposed indeed, probably by the Western bishop Hosius, to forbid entirely the marriage of priests; but the motion met with strong opposition, and was rejected.

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325 AD

The date for Easter was set.

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375 AD

Use of images in worship

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379 AD

Praying to Mary & Saints. (prayers of Ephraim Syrus)

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385 AD

In the West, the first prohibition of clerical marriage, which laid claim to universal ecclesiastical authority, proceeded in 385 from the Roman church in the form of a decretal letter of the bishop Siricius to Himerius, bishop of Tarragona in Spain.

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389 AD

Mariolatry begins with Gregory Nazianzen, who mentions in a eulogy, how Justina had besought the virgin Mary to protect her virginity.

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389 AD

Mass as Daily Celebration

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416 AD

Infant baptism by immersion commanded of all infants (Council Of Mela, Austin was the principal director)

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430 AD

Exhalation of Virgin Mary: "Mother of God" first applied by the Council of Ephesus

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502 AD

Special dress code of the Clergy all the time.

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500 AD

The "Habit" of Nuns (Black gowns with white tunics)

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519 AD

Lent

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526 AD

Extreme Unction (last rights)

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593 AD

The Doctrine of Purgatory popularized from the Apocrypha by Gregory the Great

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600 AD

First use of Latin in worship (Gregory I)

Beginning of the Orthodox/Roman Catholic church as we know it today in its present organization.

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607 AD

 First Pope: Boniface III is the first person to take the title of "universal Bishop" by decree of Emperor Phocas.

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608 AD

Pope Boniface IV. turns the Pantheon in Rome into a temple of Mary ad martyres: the pagan Olympus into a Christian heaven of gods.

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670 AD

Instrumental music: first organ by Pope Vitalian

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709 AD

Kissing of Pope Constantine's feet

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753 AD

Baptism by sprinkling for those on sick beds officially accepted.

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787 AD

Worship of icons and statue approved (2nd council of Nicea)

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787 AD

Rome (Latin) and Constantinople (Greek) part ways and begin the drift towards complete split, resulting in two denominations emerging in 1054 AD.

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850 AD

Burning of Holy Candles

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Holy Water, mixed with a pinch of salt and blessed by the priest, was authorized

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890
Veneration of St. Joseph

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965 AD

Baptism of bells instituted by Pope John XIII

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995 AD

Canonization of dead saints, first by Pope John XV

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998 AD

Good Friday: fish only and the eating-red meat forbidden

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1009 AD

Holy water

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1022 AD

Penance

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1054 AD

Roman Catholics officially embrace instrumental music, Orthodox reject instrumental music down to the present time.

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1079 AD

Celibacy enforced for priests, bishops, presbyters (Pope Gregory VII)

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1090 AD

Rosary beads: invented by Peter the Hermit

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1095 AD

Instrumental music

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1190 AD

Sale of Indulgences or "tickets to sin" (punishment of sin removed)

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1215 AD

Transubstantiation by Pope Innocent III, Fourth Lateran Council

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1215 AD

Auricular Confession of sins to priests instituted by Pope Innocent III, (Lateran Council)

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1215 AD

Mass a Sacrifice of Christ

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1217 AD

Adoration and Elevation of Host: ie. communion bread (Pope Honrius III)

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1230 AD

Ringing bells at Mass

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1251 AD

The Scapular, the brown cloak worn by monks invented by Simon Stock

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1268 AD

Priestly power of absolution- CONFESSION of sin to a priest.

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1311 AD

Baptism by sprinkling accepted as the universal standard instead of immersion for all, not just the sick. (Council of Ravenna)

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1414 AD

Laity no longer offered Lord's cup at communion (Council of Constance)

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1439 AD

Purgatory a dogma by the Council of Florence (see 593 AD)

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1439 AD

Doctrine of Seven Sacraments affirmed

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1480 AD

The Inquisition (of Spain)

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1495 AD

Papal control of marriage rights

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1534 AD

Order of Jesuits founded by Loyola

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1545 AD

Man-made tradition of church made equal to Bible (Council of Trent)

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1545 AD

Apocryphal books added to Bible (Council of Trent)

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1546 AD

Justification by human works of merit

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1546 AD

Mass universally said in Latin (see 600 AD)

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1547 AD

Confirmation

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1560 AD

Personal opinions of Pope Pius IV imposed as the official creed

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1854 AD

Immaculate conception of Mary

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1864 AD

Syllabus Errorum [Syllabus of Errors] proclaimed that "Catholic countries" could not tolerate other religions, (no freedom of religion), conscience, separation of church and State condemned, asserted the Pope's temporal authority over all civil rulers (Ratified by Pope Pius IX and Vatican Council) condemned

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1870 AD

Infallibility of Pope (Vatican council)

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1870

Confirmed Unum Sanctum (no salvation outside of the Catholic Church).

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1908 AD

All Catholics should be christened into the church

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1930 AD

Public Schools condemned by Pope Pius XII (see 1864 AD)

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1950 AD

Assumption of the body of the Virgin Mary into heaven shortly after her death. (Pope Pius XII)

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1954 AD

Immaculate conception of Mary proclaimed by Pope Pius XII

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1995 AD

The use of girls in the traditional alter boy duties

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1996 AD

Catholics can believe in Evolution (Pope John Paul II)

Indulgences

18.  INDULGENCES

QUESTION?  Can you apply penance and good works for those who are dead in order to help remove the sin of the dead.

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The Catholic church teaches that an indulgence is received by good works and penances and can be applied to the sins of the living and the dead (1471-79).  The Catholic church condemns under anathema (damns) those who say they are useless or who maintain that the Church has not the power to confer them.

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What does the Bible say?

There are only two places that one will end up in after death: either in heaven with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) or in hell in torment (Luke 16:23-24; Revelation. 20:10-15). The Bible does not say that after death comes "further purification"; it says,

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"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:28).

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Nowhere in scripture are indulgences mentioned.  Actually, any concept of PAYING for ones sins is in complete opposition to all of scripture. 

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Scripture says..

"8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

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Good works

17.  ATONEMENT FOR GOOD WORKS

QUESTION? Can you do enough good works to get to heaven?

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According to Catholic theology certain sins can be atoned for with acts of penance and good works.  Grace is lost through mortal sin; it is preserved and increased through prayer and works done under the influence of
God, and by means of the sacraments duly received.

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What does the Bible say..

"5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."  Titus 3:5-7

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The Bible tells a powerful story of a man on the cross next to Jesus.  We don't know much about him.  However, we do know anyone who hung on a cross was the worst of sinners.  What did Jesus tell him?  Let's read the dialogue.

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"Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom. 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  Luke 23:42-43

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This man had no chance of doing "Good Works".  His "WORKS" were strapped to the cross.   His salvation was a result of his faith.  He couldn't do good works, yet Jesus told him "Today you will be with me in paradise."

Transubstantiation

15.  TRANSUBSTANTIATION

QUESTION?  Does the Bread and Wine become the actual body and blood of Christ?

The Catholic Church teaches that the bread and wine actually becomes the body and blood of Christ. 

The Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring: "Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again, that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation (CCC, 1376).

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What does the Bible say...

First, the idea of this violates Levitical law. 

"For as for the life of all flesh, its blood is identified with its life. Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, You are not to eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood; whoever eats it shall be cut off," (Lev. 17:14).

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Second, the Lord's supper was instituted before the crucifixion.  how can this be since Jesus instituted the Supper before He was crucified?  Are we to conclude that at the Last Supper, when they were all at the table, that when Jesus broke the bread, it actually became His sacrificial body--even though the sacrifice had not yet happened?  Likewise are we to conclude that when Jesus gave the wine, that it became His actual sacrificial blood - even though the sacrifice had not yet happened?  That would make no sense at all.

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Third, any time Jesus did a miracle, there was evidence that the miracle actually took place.  For example; when Jesus turned Water to wine, it actually became wine.  When Jesus healed the sick, they actually got healed.  If a miracle actually takes place, then the bread and wine would actually become the body and blood of Christ. 

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Forth, Jesus used many figures of speech.  He said, I am the vine, you are the branches.  This didn't mean we are the literal branches. 

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Fifth, God didn't give any specific group the ability to handle the bread and wine. 

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What's important to know, is that the rules of communion for Catholics have changed repeatedly since becoming official doctrine in 1215 AD.

The Mass

14.  MASS- A REPETITIVE SACRIFICE

QUESTION?  Does the Bible teach the need for a repetitive sacrifice of Christ?

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The Catholic Church teaches that through communion that Christ needs to be repeatedly sacrificed for the sins of the people.  They teach the work of expiation continues through the unbloody sacrifice of the Mass for all time. Hence, for Catholics, the greatest work of expiation is through the sacrifice of the Mass by which God is placated.

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What does the Bible say?

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 "11 And every priest (referring to old testament priest) stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. "  Hebrews 10:11-17

Purgatory

13.  PURGATORY?

QUESTION- Is there a place between heaven and earth called Purgatory? 

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The Catholic church teaches Purgatory is a place or con593 Purgatory- but not officially canonized until 1439 at council of Florencedition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace, are not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions.  Basically, Catholic theology teaches Purgatory is a place that a Christian’s soul goes to after death to be cleansed of the sins that had not been fully satisfied during life.  Purgatory was introduced in 593 AD, - but not officially canonized until 1439 at council of Florence

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Is this doctrine of Purgatory in agreement with the Bible?  What does the Bible say?

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First, To say that we must atone for our sins by cleansing in Purgatory is to deny the sufficiency of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus (1 John 2:2). The idea that we have to suffer for our sins after death is contrary to everything the Bible says about salvation.

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Second, the Bible says..

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"27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,"  Hebrews 9:27

Perpetual virginity of Mary

10.  PERPETUAL VIRGINITY OF MARY

QUESTION- Is Mary a perpetual virgin?

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The Catholic church teaches the perpetual virginity of Mary.

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The Bible says.

"For all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory"  Romans 3:23

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Mary declared her need for a savior in Luke 1:46-47

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"46 And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,  47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior." Luke 1:46-47

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Mary co-redeemer

9.  IS MARY OUR CO-REDEMPTRESS?

QUESTION?  Does Mary (Jesus mother) play a part in our salvation? 

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The Catholic church teaches (1) Mary participates in redemption with Jesus Christ, (2) grace is granted by Jesus only through the intercession of Mary, and (3) all prayers from the faithful must flow through Mary, who brings them to the attention of her Son.  The Vatican II Council and the New Catholic Catechism reaffirmed that Mary is the sinless Mother of God, that she ascended bodily to Glory (i.e., the Assumption of Mary) and was crowned as the Queen of Heaven, that she can hear and answer prayer.  The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Mary "did not lay aside her saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation.  She is Advocate…and Mediatrix” (969)

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What does scripture say?

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"12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

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Please note:  Remember the wedding celebration.  Mary had to go to Jesus for him to get more wine.  Mary has no ability to perform miracles. 

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Calling priest father

1. CALLING PRIEST FATHER-

Question?  Is it OK to call a priest FATHER?

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In Matthew 23 Jesus is addressing the religious leaders.  Look closely at what he says. ...

"Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the [best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be [humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."    Matthew 23:1-12

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2.  CELIBACY OF PRIESTHOOD

QUESTION?  What does the Bible say about Celibacy of the Priesthood?

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Catholic church teaches that priest are to be celibate.

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What does the Bible say?

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"4 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.  1 Tim 4:1-5

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Notice what he says here.  He calls these things, "DOCTRINES OF DEMONS".

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Keys of the Kingdom

"What are the keys of the kingdom?"

Answer: The biblical passage that makes reference to the “keys of the kingdom” is Matthew 16:19. Jesus had asked His disciples who people thought He was. After hearing several of the more popular opinions, Jesus aimed His question directly at His disciples. Peter, responding for the twelve, acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. After this great confession, Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:17–19).

Keys are used to lock or unlock doors. The specific doors Jesus has in mind in this passage are the doors to the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus is laying the foundation of His church (Ephesians 2:20). The disciples will be the leaders of this new institution, and Jesus is giving them the authority to, as it were, open the doors to heaven and invite the world to enter. At this point it is important to understand how, biblically speaking, one enters the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus said that, unless one is born again, he will not see the Kingdom of Heaven (John 3:3). One is born again as the Holy Spirit works through the Word of God to bring about new life in a dead sinner. The content of the message is the substitutionary death of Christ and His subsequent resurrection (Romans 10:9–10). So the faithful preaching of the gospel is the key to the kingdom.

In Matthew 16:19, Jesus is specifically addressing Peter, so it is significant that, in the book of Acts, Peter figures prominently in the “opening of doors” to three different groups of people so they can enter the Kingdom. In Acts 2, it is Peter who preaches in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost; about three thousand Jewish people are saved that day. Peter’s preaching had “unlocked the door” of heaven for the Jews. Later, in Acts 8, the Samaritans believe the gospel and receive the Holy Spirit; again, Peter (and John) was present for this event. Peter had “unlocked the door” for the Samaritans. Then, in Acts 10, Peter brings the gospel to a Roman centurion’s household, and they, too, receive the Holy Spirit. Peter had “unlocked the door” for the Gentiles. The “keys” that Jesus had given him worked in each case.

Of course, keys can be used to lock doors as well as open them. Part of the gospel message is that faith is necessary. Without faith in Christ, the door to heaven is shut and barred (see John 3:18). As the apostles preached the gospel, those who responded in faith and repentance were granted access to the Kingdom of Heaven; yet those who continued to harden their hearts and reject the gospel of God’s saving grace were shut out of the Kingdom (Acts 8:23).

The context of Matthew 16 also refers to a “binding and loosing.” To better understand this concept, we turn to Matthew 18:15–20, where Jesus gives the guidelines for church discipline, using the same “binding and loosing” language we find in Matthew 16. The apostles were not to usurp Christ’s authority over individual believers and their eternal destiny, but they were to exercise authority to discipline erring believers and, if necessary, excommunicate disobedient church members. Based on God’s Word, believers today can declare an unrepentant sinner to be unsaved (“bound”) and a repentant believer in Jesus Christ to be saved (“loosed”). The binding or loosing, based on one’s rejection or acceptance of the gospel, reflects heaven’s perspective on the matter. In heaven, Christ ratifies what is done in His name and in obedience to His Word on earth.

God’s will is that sinners be granted access to heaven through the righteousness of Christ. Consider Jesus’ warning to the Pharisees: “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in” (Matthew 23:13). If the gospel message is distorted or ignored, or if unrepentant sin is not adequately disciplined, the doors to the Kingdom of Heaven are being shut in people’s faces.