I give up. When Christ gave Peter the keys and the authority to bind and loose it seems obvious -painfully obvious- that He is setting up a church. Pray tell, what DO the keys REALLY mean?
Whatever your tradition via sola scriptura tells you.
Matt 16:13-20
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
"But what about you?"he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
Jesus is speaking to all here. Everyone gives an answer in the background, but one gives no answer. That individual is then asked the question directly. The individual answers that he believes Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus acknowledges that the answer is correct and that He is the one that revealed Himself. He is God. Peter's faith was built on his judgement of what Jesus had taught. That is the foundation which is rock.
The keys reside in an individual's judgement. As Peter had done, all others would do as well. The judgement to be passed by each individual is on the Holy Spirit. The keys to the Kingdom of Heaven reside in that judgement made by his own hands.
Matt 12:32
"Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."
Jesus taught plenty regarding the Holy Spirit. The washing of the feet regards forgiveness, as it is asked by you in the Lord's Prayer. Matt 25 contains parables regarding the judgement passed and answer given.
Matt 25:40
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
The keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, were given to you.
I give up. When Christ gave Peter the keys and the authority
to bind and loose it seems obvious -painfully obvious-
that He is setting up a church. Pray tell, what DO the keys REALLY mean?
467 posted on 02/08/2006 9:56:09 PM MST by TradicalRC
Y'shua is speaking: Revelation 1:18 I am the Living One; I was dead,
I always look to the Holy Word of G-d for answers.
Revelation 1:17 ........ “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
and behold I am alive for ever and ever!
And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
b'shem Y'shua