Not long ago, I noticed an older man with a large keyring clipped to his belt loop. The ring was heavy, with fifty keys, maybe more, clinking with each step he took. I couldn’t help but think, “That man must be important.” With that many keys, he had access to almost everything: offices, storage closets, gates, maybe even a vault or two. However, not all keys are made of metal. Some open more than doors; they unlock truth, authority, and access to something greater. We rely on “keys” every day, whether it’s a key fob to start our cars, a code to enter a garage, or a password to check our email. Similarly, in the spiritual realm, some keys give us access to something much more important: the Kingdom of God.
"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 16:19 (KJV)
What did Jesus mean when He gave Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” and how do those keys unlock the only biblical plan of salvation?
What Are the Keys?
The word “key” can have many meanings. A dictionary might define it as a small, shaped piece of metal that opens a lock. But metaphorically, a key is anything that provides access, offers understanding, or unlocks potential.
In Matthew 16, Jesus gives Peter more than just a physical object; He grants him spiritual authority to open the way into the Kingdom of Heaven. Peter didn’t just receive a symbol. He received a responsibility.
The Promise Before Pentecost
Before the church was established, Jesus often referred to it in the future tense.
"…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18 (KJV)
The church had not yet been established because the Holy Ghost had not yet been poured out.
"…for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified." John 7:39 (KJV)
The Gospels record Jesus’ teachings, miracles, and prophecies about the coming church. However, the spiritual birth of the church, the opening of the door, would not happen until after His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
Pentecost: The Church Is Born
In Acts 1, Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the “promise of the Father.” That promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost:
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come… they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:1-4 (KJV)
It was then that Peter stood with the eleven and delivered the first New Testament message through the power of the Holy Ghost. When the convicted listeners cried out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter used the keys that Jesus had given him.
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38 (KJV)
Repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and receiving the Holy Ghost. This marked the beginning. The church had started, and the keys were being used.
One Pattern, One Message
Was Acts 2 a one-time event? Scripture says otherwise.
Peter used the same keys to unlock the door to the Samaritans in Acts 8, to the Gentiles in Acts 10, and to John’s disciples in Acts 19. In each case, the pattern remained the same: water baptism in the name of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, often evidenced by speaking in tongues.
God didn’t offer different salvation plans to various groups. He provided one message. One gospel. There was only one entrance, and Peter held the keys.
What About the Epistles?
Many sincere believers turn to the Epistles to understand salvation. However, it’s essential to recognize that the letters from Paul, Peter, James, and others were written to the church, which consisted of people who had already obeyed the plan of salvation outlined in the Book of Acts.
Paul reminds the Romans that they were “buried with [Christ] by baptism.” He tells the Corinthians they were “washed,” “sanctified,” and “justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). He tells the Galatians they had “put on Christ” through baptism and “received the Spirit.”
These were not instructions for entering the church. These were affirmations to those who already had.
Building a salvation doctrine solely from the Epistles, while ignoring Acts, is like reading someone else’s mail and applying it out of context.
One Gospel: Forever Settled
The message Peter preached in Acts 2 wasn’t temporary, cultural, or optional.
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8 (KJV)
The born-again experience, repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, is still the only way to enter the kingdom.
Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His church. And they haven’t.
Will You Use the Keys to the kingdom?
The keys Jesus gave Peter are still opening hearts, changing lives, and unlocking the door to the kingdom.
This message isn’t about tradition or denomination; it’s about truth. The same power that fell on the Day of Pentecost continues to fall today. The same name that forgives sins in baptism still holds authority now. And the same Spirit that gave them utterance still speaks with power today.
If you’ve never experienced the Acts 2:38 message for yourself, I invite you to seek it with a sincere heart. Open the Word. Open your heart. And let God open the door.
The keys are still in use. Will you let them unlock your life?
Do you want to experience this for yourself? I invite you to join me at Calvary Apostolic Church in Westerville, Ohio.
Additional REading on the keys to the kingdom
- Full Salvation Requires Full Obedience: Why Acts 2:38 Still Matters
- Is salvation required to go to heaven?
- Understanding Biblical Context for the Journey to Salvation
Credits
Credit: OpenAI helped create my article outlines and generate the imagery. Grammarly fixed my writing errors, and Quillbot makes everything better.
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