Jesus said to Peter: "I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of the heavens, and whatever you may bind on earth will be the thing bound in the heavens, and whatever you may loose on earth will be the thing loosed in the Heavens." (Matt.16:19) The use of the word "keys" in Jesus' statement to Peter indicated that Peter would have the privilege of initiating a program of instruction that would open up special opportunities with respect to the Kingdom of the heavens.
Peter was different from the hypocritical religious leaders of that time....he clearly used divinely provided knowledge to help people to "enter into the Kingdom," notably on
three occasions.
(1) Pentecost, 33 A.D. (Acts 2:1-41)
(2) Samaritans (Acts 8:14-17)
(3) Gentiles (Acts 10:1-48; 15:7-9)
Peter was used to unlock to the people mentioned above, the opportunity to become members of the Christian congregation.
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