Reference: Power Of The Keys
Hastings
In ecclesiastical history the phrase is associated primarily with the so-called 'Privilege of Peter,' upon which the dogma of papal supremacy has been built, but also with the delegated authority of an official priesthood to pronounce sentence of the absolution or the retention of sins.
1. The fundamental passage is Mt 16:18. When St. Peter at C
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And he said to them, Thus then every scribe, instructed for the kingdom of heaven, is like a householder, who bringeth out from his storehouse things new and old.
And Jesus answering said to him, Blessed art thou, Simon, son of Jonah; for flesh and blood did not reveal it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I on my part say to thee, that thou art Peter, a rock, and on this rock will I build my church, and the gates of the underworld shall not prevail against it.
And I on my part say to thee, that thou art Peter, a rock, and on this rock will I build my church, and the gates of the underworld shall not prevail against it.
Truly do I say to you, Whatever ye shall bind on earth will be bound in heaven; and whatever ye shall loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Woe to you lawyers! because ye have taken away the key of knowledge; ye have not entered yourselves, and those who were entering ye have hindered.
And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful, the wise steward, whom his lord will place over his household, to give the portion of food in due season?
And furthermore certain women of our company have amazed us; for going early to the tomb,
And they told what had happened on the way, and how he became known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Whosever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them; whosever ye retain, they are retained.
This Jesus God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye both see and hear. read more. For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself saith, The Lord said to my lord, "Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.
They therefore received his word, and were baptized; and there were added on that day about three thousand souls.
Now those that had been scattered abroad went through the country preaching the word.
And Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is acceptable to him read more. the word which he sent to the sons of Israel, publishing glad tidings of peace through Jesus Christ; he is Lord of all men.
the word which he sent to the sons of Israel, publishing glad tidings of peace through Jesus Christ; he is Lord of all men. Ye yourselves know what was spoken of through the whole of Judaea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached,
Ye yourselves know what was spoken of through the whole of Judaea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached, relating to Jesus of Nazareth, that God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were overpowered by the Devil; for God was with him.
relating to Jesus of Nazareth, that God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were overpowered by the Devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they also slew by hanging him on a cross. read more. Him God raised up on the third day, and caused him to be manifested, not to all the people, but to witnesses before appointed by God, to ourselves, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead; and he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who hath been appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that through his name every one that believeth in him shall receive forgiveness of sins. While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all that heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed, as many as came with Peter, were astonished that on the gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit; for they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then answered Peter, Can any one forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have? And he commanded that they should be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they entreated him to remain some days.
Now they who were scattered abroad by the persecution that arose on account of Stephen traveled as far as Phenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none but Jews.
And while they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
And when they had arrived and had gathered the church together, they related what great things God had wrought with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the gentiles.
And the apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up and said to them, Brethren, ye know that a long time ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the glad tidings, and believe.
And after much debate, Peter rose up and said to them, Brethren, ye know that a long time ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the glad tidings, and believe. And God, who knoweth the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, as he gave it to us; read more. and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye provoke the anger of God, by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as they.
And after they had done speaking, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken to me.
Wherefore my judgment is, that we should not trouble those who from among the gentiles are turning to God;
Then it was decided by the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among themselves, and send them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. And they wrote by them, "The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are from the gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting. read more. Whereas we have heard, that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no command; it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to choose men and send them to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who will themselves tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, to lay upon you no further burden except these necessary things:
And Paul, having stayed many days longer, took leave of the brethren, and sailed thence to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila, after he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow. And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. read more. And when they asked him to stay longer, he consented not;
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I withstood him to the face; for he was condemned.
Brethren, even if a man be detected in a fault, do ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and know all things.
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he who is holy, he who is true, he who hath the key of David; he who openeth, and no one shall shut; and shutteth, and no one shall open: