When and How were "the keys of the kingdom" of heaven used? (Matthew 16:13-19)

Matthew 16:13-19

All scriptures are synergistic. They are all saying the same thing in a different context. There were three very important points that the Lord wanted Peter to understand.

1. Jesus wanted Peter to understand the revelation that he is God, “The Christ.” Jesus knew that no one could get the revelation of who he was unless it came from the Spirit of God. Paul also received the revelation that Jesus was God by the Spirit (Ephesians 3:3-5).

2. Jesus establishes himself as the rock, and he would be the rock upon which the church would be built. Jesus is the God, in Spirit form, who followed the children of Israel in the wilderness. Look at this; who is God, save the Lord, and who is the rock save our God? II Samuel 22:32, 47, I Corinthians 10:4.

I guess you might say, what does this have to do with salvation and baptism? Look at I Corinthians 10:2. The Lord said that the children of Israel passed under the cloud and all passed through the sea were baptized unto Moses. Why were they baptized unto Moses? Because Moses was a type of saviour.

Now, we are to be baptized unto Jesus Christ because he is our Saviour. This establishes the fact that a name is always associated with baptism, not titles. In addition, Jesus lets Peter know that he is God, the rock and the Church would be built upon his name “Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ is God’s highest name for salvation; for there is no other name whereby we must be saved. There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. Jesus is that one Lord, and the one baptism is in the name of the Rock, Jesus Christ.

These scriptures let us know that Jesus is both Lord and God. And salvation is built on the name of God, Jesus Christ, “The Rock.” Through grace, faith, repentance, baptism and the reception of the Holy Spirit we are saved by Jesus Name.  Thus, the Rock of salvation is built upon the baptism in Jesus name - "The Rock".

3. Jesus gives Peter the “keys of the kingdom of heaven.” What Jesus said was that whatever Peter binds on earth, it would be bound in heaven and whatever he loose on earth would be loosed in heaven.

"The keys of the Kingdom of Heaven,” how to be born again, and the great commission in Matthew 28:19 are all satisfied in this one scripture - Acts 2:38.  Acts 2:38  is one of the major highlights of my book. 

Jesus gave the keys to Peter.  Wouldn’t you think that this act was extremely important event  and that it might be important to our salvation? We should know what the keys were; and how they were used.

When Peter used the keys of the kingdom of heaven and gave the born again scripture in Acts 2:38, he said that everyone should;

1st key, repent,

2nd key, be baptized in Jesus name,

3rd key, and receive the Holy Spirit.

This is the first time Peter used the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” to open the door, Jesus Christ and to the Church. This born again scripture has been bound on earth and is bound in heaven and Peter did not loose it.  The gates of hell will not prevail against the baptism in Jesus name which is the Rock of our salvation.

All the apostles, preached, taught and baptized in the name of Jesus as spoken by Peter. Why would anyone baptize in titles or any other way not ordained and approved by Jesus Christ nor the apostles?

Preachers are always talking about following leadership and being obedient. Why don’t they follow the leadership of Peter and be obedient by baptizing people in the name of Jesus Christ?

Do they not understand or do they just refuse to obey? It’s so important that we obey the gospel because we will all see Jesus Christ when he comes with his mighty angels and in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Thessalonians 1:7-8). When Jesus comes to sit on his throne, unbelievers’ eyes will be opened but it will be too late to say, now I believe.

This is an edited excerpt from my book, "Understanding the Trinity, Three Persons vs Three Manifestations".  To order call 1-888-280-7715