Keys of the kingdom

For other uses, see Keys of the Kingdom (disambiguation).
The relief of St. Peter at the portal of St Peter's church at Radovljica in Slovenia. The inscription, written in Slovene, reads: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven".

The keys of the kingdom is a Christian concept of eternal church authority. Christians believe it was established in the 1st century AD, initially through Saint Peter then through the rest of the 12 Apostles. The latter, continuing with the early Church Fathers, would eventually comprise the early church and its doctrine.[1] It is this authority, having been given the keys, that subsequent doctrinal points have been built upon.[2][3]

The authority can be traced to one passage in the New Testament, where Jesus mentions them first in response to St. Peter answering a question and secondly in speaking to a group of disciples. In these two instances, the concept of authority follows having been given the "keys of the kingdom of heaven" and regards loosing and binding things on earth, and thus having loosened and bound the same in heaven (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18). A third authority regarding sin is seen without mentioning "keys" in John 20:23.

Not all adherents to the faith in the risen Jesus Christ follow the further doctrinal concepts of sole authority held in any particular church, organization, or individual today.[2][3] One view is that the keys were used for a specific purpose and at a set time; namely at the Day of Pentecost—the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There is much debate regarding the further doctrinal base the church's leadership established in the early centuries.[1][3]

Many subsequent Restorationist denominations and religious groups today, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and The Family International, believe they also hold this authority. In the LDS Church, the concept is strongly tied to the priesthood keys held by the President of the Church and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Significance-of-Pentecost was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference The-Matthean-Authorizations was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Binding-Loosing-(Matt-16:19) was invoked but never defined (see the help page).