What is the office of the keys?
The
preaching of the holy gospel and Christian discipline. By these two means the
kingdom of heaven is opened to believers and shut against unbelievers.
How is the kingdom of heaven opened and shut by the
preaching of the holy gospel.
In
this way: The kingdom of heaven is opened when it is proclaimed and openly
testified to believers, one and all, according to the command of Christ, that
as often as they accept the promise of the gospel with true faith all their
sins are truly forgiven them by God for the sake of Christ's gracious work. On
the contrary, the wrath of God and eternal condemnation fall upon all
unbelievers and hypocrites as long as they do not repent. It Is according to
this witness of the gospel that God will judge the one and the other In this
life and In the life to come.
How is the kingdom of heaven shut and opened by
Christian discipline?
In
this way: Christ commanded that those who bear the Christian name in an
unchristian way either in doctrine or in life should be given brotherly
admonition. If they do not give up their errors or evil ways, notification Is
given to the church or those ordained for this by the church. Then, if they do
not change after this warning, they are forbidden to partake of the holy
sacraments and are thus excluded from the communion of the church and by God
Himself from the kingdom of Christ. However, if thy promise and show real
amendment, they are received again as members of Christ and of the church.
I.
There Are Keys to the Kingdom of
Heaven-
Preaching and Discipline
A.
Jesus introduced the term KEYS OF THE KINGDOM. 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)
B.
The. keys have actual - NOT MERELY SYMBOLIC value. Whose soever sins ye
remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose
soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (John 20:23)
II.
Gospel Preaching Is Effective
A.
Christ connected preaching and the growth of the kingdom. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19)
B.
Jesus sends His people in the way that His Father sent Him. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto
you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he
had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive
ye the Holy Ghost. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them;
and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (John
20:21-23)
Ill.
Church Discipline Is Effective
A.
Jesus gave us a disciplinary process and backed it with His own authority. Moreover
if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his
fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy
brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one
or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be
established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto
the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee
as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever
ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose
on earth shaft be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:15-18)
B.
God settles accounts, but the church is directed to police itself. But now I have written unto you not to keep
company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or
covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with
such an one no not to eat For what have I to do to judge them also that
are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are
without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among
yourselves that wicked person. (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)
C.
Separating someone from the body of the church is a serious punishment. And
if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note
that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. (2
Thessalonians 3:14 )
D.
Those who repent deserve restoration in the same measure. I will arise and go to
my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and before thee, (Luke 15:18)
1.
Conviction of guilt is a terrible burden. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold
upon me- I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon
the name of the LORD; 0 LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is
merciful. The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought
low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, 0 my soul, for the LORD
hath dealt bountifully with thee. (Psalm 116:3-7)
2.
The sense of guilt led the publican to approach God in an effective way. And
the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so
much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying,
God be merciful to me a sinner. (Luke 18:13)
E.
Discipline is designed to correct people rather than to get rid of them. Sufficient
to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him,
test perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether
ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive
also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for
your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan
should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
(2 Corinthians 2:6-11)
Heidelberg Catechism
Lord=s
Day 031
Questions 83, 84, 85
Dr. Edwin P. Elliott, Jr.
