Binding And Claiming

Q

Concerning people who claim healing in Jesus’ name, or bind things in Jesus’ name. I asked a woman who admitted she attends a charismatic church about why she prays this way, binding and claiming and so forth. She took me to Matthew 16:19 telling me that Jesus has given us the power to do these things. I didn’t argue with her but noted how Jesus gave these powers to Peter. As I read and interpret what’s going on, Jesus is alluding to the coming church and the Spirit as shown in Acts 2. If I am correct, Peter is the only one that is given these gifts for a specific reason, and that was to be a framework for the beginning of the church. Am I correct in understanding this passage of scripture? God bless you and yours.

A

The authority to bind spiritual things on Earth passed through Peter to the Church. Later, Jesus repeated his promise to Peter saying that whatever two or more of us agree to on Earth will be done in Heaven. (Matt. 18:17-19)

As far as claiming a healing is concerned, James 5:14-15 says, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.” This and other verses tell us that healing is available to anyone with faith. Claiming a healing is a way of demonstrating (or bolstering) one’s faith.