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Is the Church Infallible?

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And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” Matthew 16:19 NLT 

Many believe that in Matthew 16, Jesus was setting Peter up as the first pope and

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giving the church unconditional authority. This comes from reading more into Jesus’ words than I believe He intended. Instead of giving the church authority over the consciences of individuals in making its own laws Jesus was declaring just the opposite. In Matthew 16:9 Jesus is not giving the church license. To the contrary He is giving it limits in what it can and should teach. 

It helps to understand that, the keys of the kingdom Jesus gave the church were not the keys to the “oval office” and special authority and privileges. The keys Jesus gave them were the keys of the knowledge of His own teachings. 

What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering.” (Luke 11:52 NLT, emphasis added) 1

Jesus made it clear that no man is authorized to make ecclesiastical laws that man must submit to, much less that heaven must recognize! 

Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God. For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.” Then he said, “You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition. Mark 7:7-9 NLT 

Contrary to the idea that Jesus told the church that it could make laws that would be recognized in heaven, Jesus told the church to teach completely those things from heaven alone. 

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

While I was living in Texas, a police officer in a small town was fired, because he was pulling over young girls who were obeying the laws just so he could flirt with them. The town had given him authority to enforce the laws of the city but not to flirt with young girls! Likewise in the passage just cited, Jesus gives the church authority to teach everything He has commanded but nothing more and nothing less!  Just like a police officer cannot make up his own laws and pull people over who are obeying the laws of the land, so a church leader cannot make up his own laws and meddle in the personal affairs of others. 

A police officer and even lawmakers are sworn in or inaugurated by an oath to protect the laws and constitutions of the land. In Matthew 16:19 Jesus is swearing in the disciples, simply telling them that they are to bind (lock in or require) what is bound in heaven and are to loose (or allow) only what is allowed in heaven. Matthew 16:19 is a command to His disciples and not a license to make their own laws. Jesus told His disciples, what you forbid should be that which is forbidden in heaven and what you allow should be that which is allowed in heaven. As a young boy, when I would get out of line, my teacher would tell me, “you will march right over to the the principal’s office.” That was a command, not a license! By saying “you will” she was commanding me, not licensing me. Likewise when Jesus told them they would be teaching things that would be taught in heaven, He was telling them what to teach and not telling them they could teach anything they wanted and heaven would just go along with it. 

The doctrine that God has committed to the church the right to control the conscience, and to define and punish heresy, is one of the most deeply rooted of papal errors. –Ellen White, The Great Controversy, p. 293.

I am loyal to my parents without claiming they are infallible. I follow my parents as they follow Jesus. No more no less. I am also loyal to my church without claiming it is infallible. I follow my church as it follows Jesus. No more no less. 

  1. Compare Desire of Ages, by Ellen White, p. 413:

    “The keys of the kingdom of heaven” are the words of Christ. All the words of Holy Scripture are His, and are here included. These words have power to open and to shut heaven. They declare the conditions upon which men are received or rejected. Thus the work of those who preach God’s word is a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. Theirs is a mission weighted with eternal results. ↩
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Is the Church Infallible? — 27 Comments

    • The answer to the question, Is the church infallible?. The answer is simple. No, unless there is an attempt to muddy the water.

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  2. In the Bible we find that God gave the law. Questions the people had regarding the observance and application of that law was directed at first to Moses then latter Moses delegated it to Judges and Priests (Ex. 18:13-26). Thus any question regarding Civil or religious law was to be decided not by the people themselves but by Moses or the Judges and Priests (Deuteronomy 17:8-13). The Judges and Priests did not have authority to make laws only to answer questions regarding the observance and application of the law.

    Along this line: “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.” (Matthew 23:1-3) It was said among the Jews: “the school of Shammai binds and the school of Hillel loosens.”

    Jesus gave this authority to Peter (Matthew 16:9) the apostles, and the Church (Matthew 18:18). This does not imply that Peter or the Church is infallible (and in the case of Peter we know he was most certainly fallible). Jesus gave the Apostles and the Church the responsibility of leadership to administer and apply the teaching of Christ, no more; no less.

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  3. This thought is similar to the one where Jesus told us told us we can ask anything in His name and the Father will give it to us. His name represents His character and if we ask amiss we may not receive what we asked for.

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    • Matthew 6:8 doesn't say to ask for anything. Jesus said, your Father knows what is needed before we ask. John 14:12-14 says much the same , however the context is a bit different. Asking amiss is necessary. On a personal note regarding answers to prayer. I am hearing impaired and need a hearing aid. I misplaced my hearing aid just three days ago. Have looked every possible likely as well unlikely place, with no help. Of course I have prayed repeatedly. I fully expected my hearing aid would show up. Now I know it is not a life or death matter but it is more than an inconvenience. Yes the text about what we ask for goes through my mind. Faith and trust have not weakened and I still thank God for all the blessings each and every day.

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      • Paul, why do you say that "asking amiss is necessary"?

        (I don't think it's necessary. If our minds are aligned with the mind of Christ, we will ask in accordance with His will.)

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        • Inge I wonder if there is some misunderstanding? I didn't mean to imply that it is necessary to think amiss. Being poorly put, what I was referring to was agreeing with the quote by Don in James4:3.

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  4. A simple answer to your question is NO the church is fallible unless we don\'t understand the church make up. Believers like you and I make up the church and the question should have been Is a believer Infallible. The answer is still NO

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  5. I live this! To think at some point if my growth I could go from fallible to infallible, or if I sit on a special chair or reside in a special city I would be perfect. The logic is flawed.
    How about if I prayed enough or did enough good works for my neighbors, would that make me perfect? Or perhaps even gave up all my belongings to the poor but had not love? The power of a religious figure over our reason is amazing.

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  6. You are spot on, of course, but you did not address the reason why Matt 16:19 appears to support the idea that the church has the power to determine heaven's course. It appears to be a translation problem. That is, Jesus was saying, "What you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven." In other words, the Spirit will guide the church into making decisions that are in harmony with what has already been decided in heaven.

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      • Sorry, but I'm no Greek scholar. This is one of those things that I have heard in sermons, relying upon those who have studied Greek in the seminary. Perhaps I have been mistaken.

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        • Mr. White, I am confident that you are not mistaken. I would like to cite a few translations that uphold the view you've advanced. (The first 2 of which, in my view, present Greek tenses especially well) - Matt 16:19

          "...and whatever you forbid on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven." (Williams translation.)

          "...and whatever you bind on earth [forbid to be done], shall have been already bound [forbidden to be done] in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth [permit to be done], shall have already been loosed in heaven [permitted to be done]." (Wuest translation. [] appear in the original.)

          The Concordant Literal, Young's Literal translation, and a relatively early edition of the NASB also give the Matt 16:19 tenses in the same manner.

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          • But Stewart and R.G. was that not what I was saying? My entire post was addressing Matthew 16:9 and explaining the interpretation, so I am at a loss for why R.G. is saying I did not explain it? That's what I was doing in the entire post.

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          • All I said, William, is that you did not address the translation question directly. You explained the real thrust of the passage very well, but you did not appear to reconcile your view with the actual wording of the text. Not saying you had to...

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          • Yes indeed, the concept of 'not license but limits' was clearly presented in your post, William. I am sorry if I have detracted from the thought... I found no fault or lack in it.

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  7. R.G. I thought I was reconciling the the actual wording of the text here, "In Matthew 16:19 Jesus is swearing in the disciples, simply telling them that they are to bind (lock in or require) what is bound in heaven and are to loose (or allow) only what is allowed in heaven. Matthew 16:19 is a command to His disciples and not a license to make their own laws. Jesus told His disciples, what you forbid should be that which is forbidden in heaven and what you allow should be that which is allowed in heaven. As a young boy, when I would get out of line, my teacher would tell me, “you will march right over to the the principal’s office.” That was a command, not a license! By saying “you will” she was commanding me, not licensing me. Likewise when Jesus told them they would be teaching things that would be taught in heaven, He was telling them what to teach and not telling them they could teach anything they wanted and heaven would just go along with it."

    At any rate, I am glad you appreciated the article and am thankful for you and Stewart expounding on any gaps that I left. 🙂

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  10. A Comment on the Church Council of Acts 15.

    In the days of the apostles, the church was presented with a big problem regarding circumcision. Voices were being heard inside the Christian church, addressing the Gentile Christians -- "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." (Acts 15:1,5.)

    It was a serious, developing issue, with the potential to grow out of control.

    There was a general acknowledgment that the apostles and the elders needed to consider the matter, and to make a decision on it. And so it was. A Church Council was held in Jerusalem.

    But in that Council [as significant as it was!], God did not make His will known through a specific sign or vision. He provided no direct manifestation of the Holy Spirit... and this was for good reason, I believe.

    "The council DID NOT CLAIM INFALLIBILITY in their deliberations" (Story of Redemption p.308), but it was able to draw from the relevant experiences of Peter, Barnabas and Paul - each of whom had had notable experiences in witnessing God's full acceptance of uncircumcised Gentile believers.

    The fact that the council did NOT claim infallibility in their decision-making, is a wonderful thing to me. When all the speakers had finished, James speaks, and comes to the point where he says,

    "Therefore I judge..." (Acts 15:19 NKJV)
    "My decsion..." (Beck)
    "My opinion..." (Amplified)
    "My sentence..." (KJV).

    He does not speak, as the "illustrious" Medieval Church Councils once spoke, with an imagined, absolute, authority.

    It had been clearly shown to the Church that the Holy Spirit had bound no burdens (such as circumcision) upon His Gentile converts, and so in like manner it was not for the Christian church to bind upon them any such requirement...

    "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and [now also] to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things..." (Acts 15:28).

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    • I was thinking in terms of comparison. The church council and some current believers that would express an opinion that if a certain doctrine was not followed, they could not be saved. However there is guidance from the Holy Spirit to substantiate any opinion that is truthful.

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  11. One also has to answer the question "What is the church?" Jesus commanded the disciples to go and make disciples. (Matthew 28:18) In other words the church is supposed to be a self replicating organism. Everyone is called to be a disciple that makes disciples. The disciples of Christ are not to lord over each other like the heathen Gentiles did.

    Matthew 10:42 - 45

    42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

    43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

    44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

    45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

    So we're all supposed to be disciples making disciples and none of us are to lord over any of the rest of us. In fact ultimately the law of God is supposed to be inscribed in all of our hearts to the point that we won't need a clergy class to teach us. We should all be in the clergy class. Hebrews 8:8 - 12.

    8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

    9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

    10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

    11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

    12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

    Peter confirms the idea of a church where everyone is a priest.

    1 Peter 2:9 [Full Chapter]
    But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

    Does that mean there is no role for church discipline? Of course not. In a multitude of council there is wisdom.

    Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

    And Christians should go to the church to settle disputes among themselves instead of suing each other in godless worldly courts.

    Matthew 18:15-20

    15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

    16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

    17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

    18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

    19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

    20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

    That's the role of the church. Fellow disciple/priests coming together to help each other be reconciled. If this was truly followed then we wouldn't have a 50% divorce rate. Why? Because to get divorced you must sue in godless courts. Something that Paul clearly said should not be done.

    1 Corinthians 6King James Version (KJV)

    6 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

    2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

    3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

    4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

    5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

    6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

    Any dispute that could be taken to court, even between husband and wife, should first go through a counsel of believers. Not for the church to lord over anyone. But for there to at least be the possibility of reconciliation. Once such reconciliation is deemed impossible, THEN go to the law. But we have church members suing each other over all sorts of things from contract disputes to child custody and support issues. That's not the biblical way.

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  12. Yeah, with our sinful nature God would never give us the authority to make the rules. Thank you William for the illustration.God bless you.

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