The 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

The keys of the Kingdom of Heaven were given to the apostle Peter by Jesus. The key is a badge of power and authority. Those who own their home are the master of their own domain. They hold the keys to their home. Home ownership becomes their stewardship. This is the planning and management in maintaining a home. If you maintain your home, then you can be assured that your home will be a good investment.  That good investment is maintained by good stewardship. We rarely hear about good stewardship. Stewardship is taking care of what you have so you can pass it on to the next generation.

The apostle Peter had to realize that he was given a revelation that Christ was the son of God. Jesus told Peter this and also that he would “build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” [see Matthew 16:18]. Jesus told Peter this before saying that He would give Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven. I wondered if Peter understood at that time what Jesus was telling him. The keys of the kingdom of heaven are the authority that Jesus gives us to bind and loose. Not much is said about the binding and loosing and many bible scholars have somewhat dismissed it.

First, we must understand that binding is to prohibit certain actions while loosing is to permit certain actions. Think of it this way, we can bind evil actions from taking place and loose and release a person from Satan’s power. This is done through faith in Christ Jesus in commanding it to be done. We do not do this alone. We must have the wisdom of God through the Holy Spirit to use the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven properly. We must understand the purpose of God.

Christ came from the seed of David, [see John 7:42]. With the marriage of Joseph and Mary comes the descendance of David and Solomon. By birthright Jesus holds the key to David and the Kingdom of Heaven. It is Jesus who will give out keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is Jesus who first gave the keys to Peter and then the apostles to bind and loose. This is the beginning of the church of Christ where Jesus is the chief cornerstone. It is the authority of Christ which is the power of God to release those under the power of Satan. The keys are the authority we have through the name of Jesus.

The apostle Peter’s profession was Christ crucified and that Jesus is both Lord and Christ. Lord and savior to every human being. It is interesting to note that the scribes also used the same phrase of binding and loosing to study God’s will through the scriptures and declare it through teaching and judging. The scribes could also exclude people from membership within the community. Miss use of the key to knowledge that would exclude people from entering and hearing the word of God will bring retribution. The concept that Christians themselves are built upon Christ, as the living foundation stone, is rarely mentioned today. Those in leadership need to remember that it is Christ who gives the keys of authority over the body of Christ. This means stewardship and it is not to be abused in any way.

It is the stewardship of the preaching of the Gospel that is at risk from loosing its divine calling. It is the risen Christ that holds the keys to hell and death.

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Revelation 1:18

When Christ is preached, it gives us remission of sins, for He died on the cross to give us pardon from our sins. It is the response of the hearer of the Gospel, if their sins will be forgiven or retained. Loosing is to release the burden of sins and binding is to fasten the chains that keep a person bound under Satan. It is important that our sins are forgiven. Peter said to “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”, [see Acts 2:38]. To understand fully the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, one must repent and be baptized to be able to receive the Holy Ghost. Those in leadership within the body of Christ must be full of the Holy Ghost and of faith like Barnabas in Acts 11:24.

Christian growth is when the word of God comes to fruition. This happens when you spend time seeking and reading the word of God. Remember the golden rule, “do unto others what you would have them do unto you,” see Matthew 7:12. This is the law of the prophets. Those who are prophets should heed this verse. This pertains to the following scripture how important forgiveness is.

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:”

Matthew 6:14

If we retain sin, there is no forgiveness. We must let it go and release that person to whom we cannot forgive. Releasing a person will also release ourselves from the pain of unforgiveness. We have a great example in Acts chapter 7, verse 60. Stephen addressed the Sanhedrin about the truth of their own unbelief. They were pricked within their hearts at what Stephen said and they stoned Stephen to death. Stephen cried out to the Lord, “, lay not this sin to their charge,” [ see Acts 7:60]. Lay not this sin to their charge, in other words, release them of this sin. What an example Stephen gave of loosing people. Stephen full of the Holy Spirit saw beyond the abuse of the people when he gave up his spirit to be with the Lord. Be careful on how you use your keys of power and authority. Stewardship means responsibility like the key you have for your home. Use the keys for the glory of God and share the gospel with love and forgiveness. Lay your foundation upon Jesus and build your house by being a good steward for the Lord.

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

1 Peter 4:10