ANSWER: This same promise was also made to the other apostles (Matthew 18:18). But we must understand that this promise was tied into the promise that the apostles would be given the Holy Spirit who would “teach them all things” (John 14:26) and guide them “into all truth” (John 16:13). The “binding” and the “loosing” that the inspired apostles would do on this earth would not be of themselves, but rather as they were so led to do by the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, the Bible would be of men, and not of God! All of the “binding” and “loosing” that was to be done (only by inspired men) was ended with the completion of the written Word of God. Therefore, nothing can be “bound” or “loosed” today that has not already been “bound” or “loosed” in God’s Word. This being the case, it is true then that all who would be pleasing to God today are “bound” to congregational singing without the instrument in keeping with Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19. To use the instrument in violation of these passages would be to “loosen” that which the Holy Spirit has “bound”. The result of so doing is sin (Revelation 22:18-19)!

Further, we cannot “bind” or “loosen” in His name! The phrase “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” in Colossians 3:17, means by the authority of the Lord Jesus! Paul is saying in this passage, that everything a Christian does must be done by the authority of Christ. His authority can be found only in that which has already been “bound” and “loosed” through inspired men at the direction of the Holy Spirit, that is, in the Word of God!

To “loosen” where God has “bound” or to “bind” where God has “loosed” is to reject the authority of Christ; to preach a false gospel; and to be accursed of God (Galatians 1:6-9)! Such is the case with those who would employ instruments inworship to Him!