Stevek

Everyone seems to be trying to wriggle out of what the scripture says. Jesus was speaking to those gathered in the upper room at Pentecost, not directly to everyone reading a Bible. He specifically authorized them to forgive or withhold forgiveness pertaining to the sins of others, and clarified that they would not merely be making recommendations or pronouncing something that had already happened. In this instance, Jesus specifically told them that God would act in concert with their decisions, not in advance, and not in response to their petitions. He says similar things in other gospels about binding and loosing. Take it or leave it, but please don't spin it.