what does the bible say?
When Jesus spoke about binding and loosing, He gave Peter and the apostles the authority to correctly interpret and apply God's will, not to create their own laws. This authority was symbolized by the "keys of the kingdom of heaven," meaning they were empowered to open or close access to God’s kingdom based on the gospel message (Matthew 16:19). Jesus’ words meant that what Peter and the apostles declared on earth regarding God's will had already been determined in heaven. This authority was not solely for Peter, but for all believers, as they are part of the Great Commission to spread the gospel. Ultimately, binding and loosing reflected the apostles’ role in establishing and interpreting God's kingdom through the teachings of Jesus.