What are the keys to the kingdom?
Sincerely,
Locked In Confusion
Dear Locked In Confusion,
The keys to the kingdom are the teachings that provide access to salvation (which is only found in the church). In Matt 16:13-15Matt 16:13-15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
13 Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is?
14 And they said, Some [say] John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But who say ye that I am?
WP-Bible plugin, Jesus asked His disciples who He was. Peter told Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16-17Matt 16:16-17
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
WP-Bible plugin). After that statement, Jesus tells Peter that His church (which is the kingdom – Col 1:13Col 1:13
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;
WP-Bible plugin) will be built upon the foundational rock of Peter’s statement that Jesus was the Christ (Matt 16:18Matt 16:18
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
18 And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
WP-Bible plugin).
After that statement, Jesus tells the apostles that they will be given the keys to the kingdom/church (Matt 16:19Matt 16:19
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
19 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.
WP-Bible plugin). Keys provide access. If you have the keys to a house – you can get in. Keys to the car – you can drive it. Keys to the kingdom – you know how to get into the church. Jesus told the apostles that they would receive that key knowledge when the Holy Spirit came (Jhn 14:26Jhn 14:26
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
26 But the Comforter, [even] the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.
WP-Bible plugin). The Holy Spirit gave the miraculous knowledge to the apostles on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4Acts 2:1-4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2
1 And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place.
2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
WP-Bible plugin). Consequently, the apostles have written down this knowledge for us to read (Eph 3:4Eph 3:4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
WP-Bible plugin)… so that we can have the keys to the kingdom, too.