Peter's confession of Christ - On binding and loosing

When Jesus went with his disciples to the pagan town of Caeserea Philippi near Mount Hermon he decided that it was time to make sure his disciples knew who he really was and what his plans were for the Church.

Peter was asked who he thought Jesus was and he replied that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God. In the second part of Jesus reply we read that Peter was to be given the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and then a statement about binding and loosing on earth being paralleled in heaven And I will give the keys of the kingdom of Heaven to you. And whatever you may bind on earth shall occur, having been bound in Heaven, and whatever you may loose on earth shall occur, having been loosed in Heaven. [Matt 16 v 19]

A quick search on this subject will reveal an astonishing variation of interpretations leading to a certain degree of confusion. The Catholic church bases much of the Pope's authority on this passage but what does it really mean?

Thanks to Jacob Prasch of Moriel Ministries we now have an in-depth study on the matter. Click here to download the article ( Adobe reader is required).