Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven
Hello, Fancy: Your friend’s interpretation of the scripture he cited (Matt.16:18-19) effectively gives the church on earth authority to establish policies and procedures in Heaven. This is an honor and a privilege Jesus never credited to Himself! Thus, that is not what the Lord had in mind, in the least! We, by our actions down here cannot in any way determine what is “bound” or “loosed” in the Kingdom of God. What Jesus meant is that whatever we do—provided we ourselves have been properly indoctrinated, having immersed ourselves, our hearts and minds in the word and things of God—will be that which has been settled and established by the Father up in Heaven. He was even quick and careful to point out (repeatedly!) in the hearing of His apostles and disciples (per the gospel according to John—only he makes note of this) that He neither spoke nor acted, except as it was according to the already established word and will of the Father, which had to be and was taught to Him before He turned 12 (Luke 2:42). In so many words, Jesus never taught or acted or did miracles simply because He was the Son of the Living God, or, even because of His “past” as an active, actual member of the eternal GodHead, co-equal with the Father and His Holy Spirit. Heaven made no effort, nor did it in any way realign itself because of any of the Son’s teachings or doings. To give ourselves, therefore, an authority greater than that, based squarely upon a misinterpretation and misrepresentation of scripture is a bit presumptuous at best. As for the issue at hand, as I said before, you may join any church you like. There is no biblical prohibition. On the other hand, although it is not scripturally mandated, it might not be a bad idea to confer with the pastor of the new congregation to which you plan to gravitate, just to insure that everyone is on the same page, and just as a guard against trouble antagonists from your old assembly might stir up later. Ok, Fancy? Let me know if this helps. Also, take a moment to tell me “about you”: where do you live (country, state, city); to what church do you belong; family; work, etc. (and, naturally, I’m curious to know the nature of the accusations being brought against at you old church)? Bye. Alvin