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Broader Context: Sin and forgiveness in the kingdom, Matthew 18:15-35 Broader Context: Sin and forgiveness in the kingdom, Matthew 18:15-35 – A sinning brother, 18:15-17 – Authorization of forgiveness or retention of sins, 18:18-20 – Nature and breadth of forgiveness, 18: What Matthew 18:18-20 teaches

Immediate Context: Heaven’s authority concerning the treatment of unrepentant sinners, 18:18-20 Immediate Context: Heaven’s authority concerning the treatment of unrepentant sinners, 18:18-20 – Matthew 18:18 is almost verbatim with Matthew 16:19 – “A state of completion” – What has been determined in heaven is applied on earth 4

Kingdom entry, Matthew 16:19 Kingdom entry, Matthew 16:19 Apostles expressed what had already been established in heaven, 18:18 Apostles expressed what had already been established in heaven, 18:18 – God’s word is settled in heaven, Psalm 119:89 – Revelation, 1 Cor. 2:9-13; 14:37 – No apostolic council decided truth 5 Apostolic Authority Matthew 18:18-20

Apostles expressed what had already been established in heaven, 18:18 Apostles expressed what had already been established in heaven, 18:18 – Heaven is not subservient to man – Passage is not addressing heaven’s response to prayer (1 Jno. 4:14-15) – verse 19: Apostles agree with heaven and accomplish heaven’s purpose – verse 20: “In my name” – Authority must exist for what “two or three” do 6 Apostolic Authority Matthew 18:18-20

Context: Dealing with the Binding and Loosing of Sin, 18:15-17 Context: Dealing with the Binding and Loosing of Sin, 18:15-17 – Heaven’s will is applied through the apostles’ teaching, Acts 2:42 (Jno. 16:13) Forgiveness, John 20:21-23 Forgiveness, John 20:21-23 Orderly living, 2 Thess. 3:6-7 Orderly living, 2 Thess. 3:6-7 – Follow apostles…Follow heaven, Col. 3:17 7

What Passage does not Teach Does not redefine the local church as “two or three” of its members gathering, Matthew 18:16-17 Does not redefine the local church as “two or three” of its members gathering, Matthew 18:16-17 – Local church is “the multitude of disciples” at a given place (not a few), Acts 6:2 (5) – Local church is the “whole body”, not some of its parts, 1 Cor. 12:12, 14, 19-20, 27 8

What Passage does not Teach Does not give the local church (or any part) authority to establish truth, 1 Cor. 4:6; Gal. 1:8-9 Does not give the local church (or any part) authority to establish truth, 1 Cor. 4:6; Gal. 1:8-9 – Autonomy of local church not in this verse – The Scriptures define the parameters of doctrine and practice, not the local church, Gal. 2:5; 2 Tim. 3:16; Col. 3:17 9

What Passage does not Teach Does not describe members as agents of the local church acting on its behalf Does not describe members as agents of the local church acting on its behalf – Example: Delivering the Lord’s Supper First, authority must exist First, authority must exist Disciples coming together as a church to eat is approved, Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17, 20, 33 Disciples coming together as a church to eat is approved, Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17, 20, 33 By what authority may “two or three” (or one) do otherwise? By what authority may “two or three” (or one) do otherwise? 10

What Passage does not Teach Does not teach that Jesus is with us regardless of what we do (2 John 9) Does not teach that Jesus is with us regardless of what we do (2 John 9) – “In my name” – With and by His power (Acts 4:7) We are His brothers and sisters if we do the will of the Father, Matthew 12:46-50 We are His brothers and sisters if we do the will of the Father, Matthew 12:

SummarySummary Local church (and individuals) may only act with heaven’s approval when Bible authority exists Local church (and individuals) may only act with heaven’s approval when Bible authority exists Apostles have revealed heaven’s authority, 2 Thess. 2:15; 2 Tim. 1:13 Apostles have revealed heaven’s authority, 2 Thess. 2:15; 2 Tim. 1:13 – Heaven determines kingdom entrance, how sins are treated and forgiven…all things concerning life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) 12