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ARE YOU CALLING JESUS AN INDIAN GIVER?! Hahaha...in all seriousness, those aren't the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, they are the keys to Hades/Sheol. Now, you may say "same difference" but I disagree. The Keys to the Kingdom (given to Peter, but more on that below) have the power to bind and loose on Earth - not beyond. As such, Jesus never gave up the keys to the place where souls who had already departed Earth resided - Sheol.

I agree they are different keys. I just put it up as a joke.

But the imagery of the key is tantamount. In Isaiah, the transfer of the key was the vesting of authority over the Kingdom of Judea in the absence of the King - it established him as a steward.

I agree here

If the real Keys were the Gospel, as you argue, why would Jesus solely charge the Twelve with this?

I don't think there is exclusivity with this. Of course, whoever the original 12 baptized could then go on and baptize others. They wouldn't be good Christians if they didn't. I think that all Christians have the keys and they are linked with the Holy Spirit. We are not only to have our sins forgiven and enter heaven, but also to tell others and let them into the Kingdom.

Haha...I thought it may have been a joke, but such is the nature of Algore's Internet. Inflection doesn't carry so well.

I absolutely agree it is the duty of all Christians to spread the Word. However, the fact that the power of "binding and loosing" is said solely to the Twelve is troubling for your view. He appeared to others, yet conferred this authority directly to his Apostles. Further, what do you think the reason for the laying on of hands (especially in the case of Paul) was, if not to pass along this authority?

As an aside, I want to thank you for an enlighting and civil conversation. With some of the more recent posts on this thread, I get disheartened with the venom tossed around. Thanks for being intelligent and reasonable.