"And 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" (Matthew xvi, 19).
"The prime minister or chief steward of the house of David had successors. He is described as being "over the household" and "in charge of the palace" (Isa 22:15; 36:3; 1 Kings 4:6; 18:3; 2 Kings 10:5; 15:5; 18:18); as for his authority "what he shall open, no one shall shut...and what he shall shut, no one shall open" (Isa 22:22; Matt 16:19; Rev 3:7). The prime minister had an incredible amount of authority, what can only be called a supreme or plenary authority beside that of the King. This is the language of the "keys," "binding," and "loosing" that Jesus was using in Matthew 16:19. Peter was given the "keys" just as the prime minister had the "key to the house of David" (Isa 22:22). And this is important in seeing the parallel to Matthew 16:19 -- the prime minister was an office of dynastic succession (Isa 22:19,22). In other words, when the prime minister or chief steward died, another one would be selected to fill the office and take his place. Jesus recognizes the office of prime minister or chief steward ("manager" NIV) in his parables, as one who has been placed in charge and set over the household (Matt 24:45ff; 20:8; Luke 12:42; 16:1ff; cf. Gen 41:40ff; 43:19; 44:4; 45:8ff).
Peter was appointed the "chief steward" of Christ's kingdom by Christ himself. Christ was the kingly successor of David.
“Peter was appointed the “chief steward” of Christ’s kingdom by Christ himself.”
As to confirming Peter in his role as “chief steward” of Christ’s kingdom when did Peter take over this role?
Whe he spoke for Satan?
When he denied Christ?
When he hid out in fear of the Romans?
When he returned to his old business of fishing?
When Jesus told Peter to mind his own business?
When he doubted God’s command to go to Cornelius?
Perhaps it was when he acted the hypocrite at the church at Galatia around 49 A.D. some 20 years after the ascension. At the Galatians church Paul confronted Peter in front of the church for his hypocrisy. This confrontation was contrary to the etiquette for confronting Elders, yet Paul did not hesitate.
Paul was not impressed with Peter’s position and didn’t see Peter as head of any church. When he was converted, about 37 A.D., he says he didn’t bother with the Apostles but went off by himself to study. He later went up to Jerusalem to see Peter and James, Jesus’ brother, the head of the Jerusalem church. 14 years later (50 A.D.), Paul would say, “But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:” and that included Peter. Paul put his ministry on a par with Peter’s.
The church at Corinth didn’t see Peter as head of the church when Paul wrote to them around 58 A.D. for they were divided among the followers of Apollos, Peter and Paul.
He wasn’t at Rome in 58 A.D. when Paul wrote to the church at Rome. He wasn’t in Rome when Paul was first imprisoned there in 61 A.D nor in his last imprisonment in 67 A.D. for there is no mention of him in Paul’s letters. He specifically states in his last latter to Timothy all had forsaken him and none stood with him. The only one with him at the time of the writing was Luke.
So when was Peter supposed to take “his role as “chief steward” of Christ’s kingdom?
No, he was not the first or second or even the third Pope. You guys got that all wrong.
Those keys were given to all believers, not just Peter, and they consist of salvation by the shed blood of Christ, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are the heart of the true church to this day. To those that accept the gifts of the spirit, the Kingdom is here, today. ("These works, and greater shall ye do...")