The position of Chamberlain was established during the reign of King
Solomon and continued under his successors throughout the history of
Israel. Likewise, St. Peter too would have successors during the history of
the new Israel, the difference being that his successors would always be
under the one Davidic king, Jesus Christ.
St. Peter and his successors will hold the keys of the kingdom of heaven
until Christ visibly returns at the end of the world. But what of the other
Apostles? What specific powers were they (and therefore their successors)
given? St. Matthew 18:18 reads as follows:
“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
St. Matthew 18 is distinct from St. Matthew 16 in three important ways.
First, Christ in chapter 16 specifically promises to build His Church only
on St. Peter. Second, in chapter 18 the word “you” which appears three
times is always the Greek plural humin, indicating that Christ is talking to
the Apostles as a whole. Third, chapter 18 makes no mention of keys
together with the power to bind and loose.
Chapters 16 and 18 should be read together and are reconcilable in the
following manner:
(i)
The power of the keys is the wider power and authority that
includes the power of binding and loosing. St. Peter alone is given
the keys to exercise the power of binding and loosing in its fullness
as Vicar of Christ.
(ii)
St. Peter holds individually and personally the power given to the
Apostles in common. He can exercise this power and authority
alone without reference to the other Apostles.
(iii)
The Apostles share in the power of binding and loosing but can
carry it out only in union with St. Peter.
The pre-eminence of St. Peter over the other Apostles is supported by Our
Lord’s instruction to him to “strengthen your brethren” (St. Luke 22: 31-
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