KEYS TO THE KINGDOM

The concept of "binding and loosing" is taught in Matthew 16:19 and 18:18, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." In this verse, Jesus is speaking directly to the Apostle Peter, and indirectly to the other apostles. Jesus' words meant that Peter would have the right to enter the kingdom himself, would have general authority therein symbolized by the possession of the keys, and preaching the gospel would be the means of opening the kingdom of heaven to all believers and shutting it against unbelievers. The book of Acts shows us this process at work. By his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-40), Peter opened the door of the kingdom for the first time. The expressions "bind" and "loose" were common to Jewish legal phraseology meaning to declare forbidden or to declare allowed.

Peter and the other disciples were to continue on earth the work of Christ in preaching the gospel and declaring God's will to men, and were armed with the same authority as He Himself possessed.

Something interesting that I also believe applies here is the fact that Peter was used to open each new "people group" to the Gospel. Peter preaches the gospel to the Jews in Acts 2, then to the Samaritans in Acts 8, and finally to the Gentiles in Acts 10. Thus, opening up each to receive the Gospel. Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles would then include all "people groups."

Simply put the "keys to the kingdom" is the Gospel. That's the key that unlocks the prison door and sets us free...it also unlocks eternal life and allows us to enter in.

Pastor John W. Sweat, Sr.
CROSSROADS Baptist Church