Matthew 18?

[ThePol]

I am having a discussion with a non-denominational co-worker. He claims that in Matthew 18 the power to bind and to loose is given to all disciples (thus, every disciple of Jesus has this power). As a Catholic, I’ve always been taught that this passage refers to the rest of the Apostles (since that power was given to Peter in Matt 16). Any suggestions?

 

[Zundrah]

I am having a discussion with a non-denominational co-worker. He claims that in Matthew 18 the power to bind and to loose is given to all disciples (thus, every disciple of Jesus has this power). As a Catholic, I’ve always been taught that this passage refers to the rest of the Apostles (since that power was given to Peter in Matt 16). Any suggestions?

Like your friend, I am also protestent. But I really feel it is my duty to warn you of what he is doing to you! By saying that the power to “bind & to loose” was not given just to Apostles, he is trying to say that the catholic church is built on a lie! He is suggesting that the pope is not guided by the holy spirit as Jesus said; “On this rock I will build my church.” That church was the catholic church as started by Peter.

Don’t listen to your friend because he is deminding the whole foundations of the catholic church it’s self! He is trying to make you protestent. Don’t let it happen, he is trying to delude your thoughts. You should stand by your catholic faith and argue back with him.

It was to Peter that he gave the power to bind or to loose. Not just anyone…
I know you will think I am a hipocrite for saying this - but your friend isn’t exactly being faithful to you. He really is trying to convert you from catholic to protestent.

 

[ThePol]

Can anyone else weigh in on this? It appears from Matt 18 that Jesus is talking to his disciples and not only his Apostles.

 

[ThePol]

Ahhh… I think I’ve found an answer!

Here’s a snippet from Google:

"At various times in Matthew, it says the “disciples” got in a boat (e.g. Mt 14:22). Is it plausible that this referred to all Jesus’ followers? Again, in Mt 19:25-28, Jesus speaks to his “disciples” and refers to “12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel” that will be theirs. See also Mt 20:17 which says “12 disciples.” The Last supper passage Mt 26:18-20 also refers to 12 disciples. Mt 28:16 refers to the “eleven disciples” (Judas had already betrayed Jesus).

Thus, it is quite clear that throughout the book of Matthew that the term “disciples” almost surely refers ONLY to the Twelve. And this makes sense: Matthew is the the most Jewish of the gospels and the Jews did not let just anyone make binding Scriptural interpretations! The notion of an authoritative hierarchy and the importance of tradition that came from Judaism were not done away with in the formation of Christianity.

Consequently, since Jesus is not speaking to a crowd of followers/disciples but to the Twelve in Mt 18 when he confers the authority to “bind and loose,” it is the Church leadership, NOT all Christians, who receive this authority."