Mat 16:19 | Scofield | STEP | keys of the kingdom Not the keys of the church, but of the kingdom of heaven in the sense of Mat 13., i.e. the sphere of Christian profession. A key is a badge of power or authority (cf) ; . The apostolic history explains and limits this trust, for it was Peter who opened the door of Christian opportunity to Israel on the day of Pentecost and to Gentiles in the house of Cornelius. . There was no assumption by Peter of any other authority . In the council James, not Peter, seems to have presided ; ; . Peter claimed no more for himself than to be an apostle by gift and an elder by office . The power of binding and loosing was shared ; by the other disciples. That it did not involve the determination of the eternal destiny of souls is clear from . The keys of death and the place of departed spirits are held by Christ alone. kingdom (See Scofield " ")

Matthew 16:19

keys of the kingdom

Not the keys of the church, but of the kingdom of heaven in the sense of Mat 13., i.e. the sphere of Christian profession. A key is a badge of power or authority (cf) Isaiah 22:22; Revelation 3:7. The apostolic history explains and limits this trust, for it was Peter who opened the door of Christian opportunity to Israel on the day of Pentecost Acts 2:38-42 and to Gentiles in the house of Cornelius. Acts 10:34-46. There was no assumption by Peter of any other authority Acts 15:7-11. In the council James, not Peter, seems to have presided ; Acts 15:19; Galatians 2:11-15. Peter claimed no more for himself than to be an apostle by gift 1 Peter 1:1 and an elder by office 1 Peter 5:1.

The power of binding and loosing was shared Matthew 18:18; John 20:23 by the other disciples. That it did not involve the determination of the eternal destiny of souls is clear from Revelation 1:18. The keys of death and the place of departed spirits are held by Christ alone.

kingdom (See Scofield "Matthew 3:2")