KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19) There were two things given here to Peter, one was “keys of the kingdom of heaven”. Here Christ is commissioning Peter for the opening up of the Gospel. This can be seen by how the expression is used elsewhere, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” (Matthew 23:13) Peter was the one who preached on the day of Pentecost and 3000 Jews were saved, and then the first Gentiles to be saved with the Gospel were Cornelius and his household, again by the preaching of Peter. (Acts 10:1-45, also Acts 15:7)
Secondly, “[A]nd whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This was repeated to all the disciples where the context was for church discipline. “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18, in verse 1 it explains that Christ was talking to His disciples.)
These verses should not be used by any church to claim they have authority over other churches, or that Peter could lord it over the other apostles. He was named first in different lists of the twelve and he was a natural leader, but he made mistakes and was rebuked by Paul (Galatians 2:11-14). “And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;” (Matthew 20:24-26, see PRIESTS, see CHURCH).
KNOWLEDGE. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6) We all need knowledge to make wise decisions, and if one thinks he does not need to learn and obey spiritual truths, it will lead to his “sand castle” being destroyed (Matthew 7:24-27). We should read the Bible ever day and go to a good, Bible-believing and teaching church.
KNOWLEDGE. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6) We all need knowledge to make wise decisions, and if one thinks he does not need to learn and obey spiritual truths, it will lead to his “sand castle” being destroyed (Matthew 7:24-27). We should read the Bible ever day and go to a good, Bible-believing and teaching church.