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Keys to the Kingdom

Matthew 16:19
"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."

Jesus asked His Disciples "Who do YOU think I Am?" Peter answered "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." This lowly fishermen PROVIDES the authoritative answer no one else had! And, Jesus's praised Peter's answer; "...for FLESH and BLOOD hath NOT revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven." The Jewish people hoped for the Messiah to have some of splendor and power to defeat the occupying Romans. This man, Jesus, standing with His Disciples showed no indications of being flashy, spectacular or even a threat to Rome. In SPITE of this, Peter somehow understood that his teacher and friend was the Messiah! This was "revealed" to Peter. He knew something that was unknown to others.

This knowledge that Peter shared is a momentous occasion. This is the moment our beloved Church begins. Jesus FIRST use of the word "Church" or in the original Greek; "Ecclesia." Which means “assembly” or “congregation.” Our English word seems to always conjure up the vision of a building. When Jesus spoke it was about the people. And, as Jesus prophesied "the gates of HELL shall NOT prevail against" His people! 

In today's verse Jesus's blessings to Peter and the people who will become the church continue. "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."

The KEYS to the KINGDOM are metaphorical. Through history people in charge of royal households had KEYS, sometimes literally sometimes symbols of their office. The phrase of giving a person the keys naturally grew into use. It's an expression of raising someone to great authority and power. 

The next phrase is NOT symbolic. The authority of binding and loosing, given to Peter, and afterward on all the apostles, should HIGHTEN the way we read the New Testament. Our Lord and Savior is giving His Disciples the power to declare the laws of the gospel and the terms of salvation!!! It's this authority that makes the Acts of the Apostles so profound and historic!!
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