Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, the Great Commission and being born again

Let me tell you a story. On 8/16/04 at approx. 5:35am, I woke up with “keys of the kingdom of heaven” on my mind. “Keys of the kingdom of heaven” is a revelation that God gave me in the process of finishing my book, “Understanding the Trinity.” Understanding the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” is not a new interpretation in the Bible. It has always been there, we just never noticed it.

Let’s go to the King James Version of the Bible to understand where this statement, “keys of the kingdom of heaven” came from. In Matthew 16:13-19, Jesus gave Peter the “keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Now, listen to me. If Jesus gave Peter the “keys of the kingdom of heaven,” that action must have been extremely important to salvation wouldn’t you think? This is the question? Why don’t preachers preach about it? Why is it that no one seems to question; what are the keys of heaven and how they were used?

The “keys of the kingdom of heaven” were used on the day of Pentecost to open the door to the Church. Peter’s statement in Acts 2:38 opened the door to the church. Jesus is the door. Peter opened the door to Jesus Christ with the keys. Peter’s statement also satisfies John 3:5. We must be born of the water and of the Spirit. How does the keys fit with water and Spirit. First, we must understand the keys.

The keys are based on the words that Peter would say, which is “the rock of our salvation.” The “rock of salvation” is based on the name of Jesus Christ. Therefore, when Jesus said to Peter, “upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” Jesus was speaking of his name which is the “rock of salvation” that would be spoken by Peter on the Day of Pentecost. “The keys of the kingdom of heaven” which is also the “Rock of salvation” are found in Acts 2:38. The keys are;

1st Key. Repentance beginning in Jerusalem (in Jesus Name) (Luke 24:47, Acts 1:4, 5, 12-15).

2nd Key. Be baptized in the of Jesus Christ for remission of sins-Jesus Christ–Water (John 3:5).

3rd Key. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of Jesus Christ) (John 3:5).

Some might say, I have heard about repentance and receiving the Holy Spirit, what do you mean about being baptized in Jesus name? First of all, each Key is based on the “Rock” – Jesus name.

Let’s take a look at the baptism in Jesus name.

The baptism in Jesus name was a result of the great commission in Matthew 28:19. Jesus told the Apostles to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. In order to understand what Jesus is saying, one would have to know who Jesus is. The scripture says to baptize in the name not his titles.

In Acts 2:38, Peter didn’t baptize in the titles, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Peter did exactly what Jesus told him to do. Peter admonished his audience to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The name of the Father is Jesus Christ (Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1, 10, 14, and 14:6-9). The name of the Son is Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:21-22, Mark 1:1, Galatians 4:4), and the name of the Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ (John 14:26, Romans 8:9-11).

Therefore, in order to be “Born Again” of the water and of the Spirit, according to John 3:5 and Acts 2:38, one must repent, be baptized in water in “Jesus name” for remission of sins and receive the Holy Spirit, a gift from God because of God’s grace and our faith and belief in his name. The blood is in the name (Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, Acts 20:28, Romans 3:25-26, 5:9, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 13:12). We are buried with him in baptism (Romans 6:4, Col. 2:12, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-8, I Corinthians 1:13-15, Colossians 3:17). There is no other name whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

Thus, the baptisms of repentance, the Holy Spirit, etc., is inclusive in the one baptism in Jesus’ name. There is only One Lord, One Faith, and One Baptism (Ephesians 4:5). And that One baptism is in the name of Jesus Christ. In addition, that one baptism in Jesus name is the solid rock upon which Christians stand and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it(Acts 4:12, Matthew 16:18).

There will be some that won’t believe. Don’t be discouraged. God will reveal his truths only to those who will believe his Word. An unbeliever will never see it. God has blessed you with this understanding. Use it as a witness and a blessing for you and your family. Pass this on to preachers, teachers, and evangelists whom you love and respect. Some will believe, others will not. Don’t be alarmed, let them go. Pray for them because only God will be able to help them.

Let's share the mystery and knowledge of Jesus Christ to the world. Another method of witnessing is to share our personal testimonies about how we came into the knowledge of Christ and the baptism in Jesus name. The Keys of the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19), the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), and the born again experience of salvation (John 3:5) were first carried out by Peter in Acts 2:38.