association with this, all the Apostles were given authority to "bind" and "loose", the

explanation of which appears to be, "to forbid and to allow" (H. A. Meyer following

Lightfoot). That is to say, the Apostles were authorized to declare what was, or was not

lawful, with respect to the kingdom of the heavens.

Those in authority at the time of Christ, the "rulers" or "shepherds" of Israel (largely

the scribes and Pharisees) had failed. Instead of preparing the people for their Messiah,

they hindered them. When His kingdom was "in the midst of" them (Luke 17: 21 R.V.

margin), they neither entered themselves, nor suffered others to do so. They completely

failed in their stewardship, and the people were left "as sheep having no shepherd"

(Matt. 9: 36).

The Apostles, with Peter at their head, were sent to this people having all the authority

of the Lord upon them. They commanded repentance (Acts 2: 38; 3: 19) and

pronounced forgiveness of sins. So came into being the Acts "church" (a called out

company from the people, compare Acts 2: 40), who awaited the early return of the Lord

and the establishment of "the kingdom of the heavens" upon earth. The Apostles were to

have an authoritative and responsible position in that kingdom, under the Lordship of

This "judgment" was somewhat to be anticipated during the Acts period in the

authority invested in the Apostles to "bind" and "loose".

When the "number of the disciples multiplied", and the "churches" were formed in

various places, it became necessary to place over these assemblies men who could

"shepherd the sheep". So were appointed the "bishops" (overseers).

There is no record of the inauguration of this office in the N.T., and it is probable that

it was simply a continuation of the office of "chief ruler" in the synagogue. (The close

connection of the early believers with the synagogue has already been noted.) The

appointment of James as overseer to the Jerusalem assembly was early required, and the

authority he exercised has already been considered.

The office carried with it the responsibility of the affairs of the assembly, rather in the

same way as did the position of "chief ruler" to a synagogue. Those who served seem

also to have been called "elders" and "shepherds" or "pastors". This much appears from

a literal rendering of I Pet. 5: 1, 2: