THE OFFICE OF THE KEYS

What does Christ mean when He speaks about "the Keys"?

Matthew 16:19 I will give you the Keys of the Kingdom. Whatever you bind or loose on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven.

Christ gives the church the authority to either forgive sins and so open heaven (the loosing Key), or to refuse to forgive sins and so close heaven (the binding Key).

Why is the use of the Keys called "a special power and right"?

John 20:21-23 Jesus said, “I am sending you. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive, they are not forgiven.”

Christ gives the Keys only to His holy people, namely to all believers or the church. (The priesthood of believers)

How does God want us to use the binding Key?

Matthew 18:15-18If a person refuses to listen to correction concerning some sin, he is to be told that he stands under God’s judgment.

John 20:23 If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.

God wants us to use the binding Key to refuse forgiveness to an unrepentant person

as long as he does not repent.

Matthew 18:15IF HE LISTENS TO YOU . . .IF HE LISTENS TO YOU . . .

You have won your brother over.

Matthew 18:17IF HE REFUSES TO LISTEN . . .IF HE REFUSES TO LISTEN . . .

Treat him as you would a pagan or an unbeliever.

How does God want us to use the binding Key?

GO AND SHOW HIM HIS FAULTGO AND SHOW HIM HIS FAULT

How does God want us to use the loosing Key?

Acts 3:19 Repent and turn to God that your sins may be wiped out.

John 20:23 If you forgive anyone, they are forgiven.

God wants us to use the loosing Key to forgive the sins of a penitent

sinner.

Why does God want us to use the loosing Key?

Psalm 51:8-9 Let me hear joy . . . blot out my iniquity.

2 Corinthians 2:7 You ought to forgive and comfort him so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

God wants us to use the loosing Key to comfort the penitent sinner by

announcing God's forgiveness to him.

Through whom are the Keys administered publicly?

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.

The Keys are administered publicly in a congregation through its pastor.

to the CHURCH

Jesus gave the KEYS

to forgive and comfort the

penitent.

to warn and withhold forgiveness from the

impenitent.

JESUS IS SPEAKING

Why do congregations have pastors?

Ephesians 4:11 Christ gave some to be pastors and teachers . . .

1 Peter 5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers.

Our congregations have pastors because God ordained that there should be leaders responsible for oversight and shepherding

(pastoring) in the church. (The office of the public ministry)

Who only may serve as pastors in our congregations?

2 Timothy 2:2 The things you have heard me say, entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach.

1 Corinthians 14:33-34, 37 As in all the congregations, a woman should remain silent. They are not allowed to speak. This is the Lord’s command.

God's Word directs that men must serve as pastors in our congregations.

The OFFICE of the

PUBLIC MINISTRY

- Word and Sacraments- Binding & Loosing Keys

- Called

- Qualified

Not by Human Custom

Ordained by God

Pastor must be Serving

Christ & the Church

What do the believers in a Christian congregation call their pastor to do?

2 Timothy 4:2, 5 Preach the Word . . . correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. . . Do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

What do the believers in a Christian congregation call their pastor to do?Matthew 18:18 Whatever you bind or

loose on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven.

1 Timothy 5:20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly so that others may take warning.

The believers in a Christian congregation call their pastor to use the binding and

loosing Keys publicly.

What is Excommunication?

Matthew 18:17 If he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan (unbeliever) or a tax collector (traitor).

1 Corinthians 5:13 Expel the wicked man from among you.

Does this sound right or loving?

What is the Church to do?

A Christian congregation with its called pastor will use the binding Key to exclude

from the congregation those who are plainly impenitent (Excommunication) that they may realize the seriousness of their sin and the importance of repenting. This is an

act of love by the Christian congregation for the sinner.

Those whom the Lord loves, He disciplines.

Hebrews 12:6

What is the purpose of excommunication?

Matthew 18:6 If anyone causes one of these little ones to sin, it would be better that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he be drowned in the depths of the sea.

1 Corinthians 5:6 Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?

Excommunication is intended prevent the sinner from leading others into sin.

What is the purpose of excommunication?

Galatians 6:1-2 If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently . . . Carry each other’s burdens.

Excommunication is not intended to punish the sinner, but to lead him or her to

repentance and faith.

How will a Christian congregation with its called pastor use the loosing Key?

2 Corinthians 2:6-8, 10 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. You ought to forgive him and comfort him, reaffirm your love for him. If you forgive, I forgive in the sight of Christ for your sake.

A Christian congregation with its called pastor will use the loosing Key to forgive and welcome back the excommunicated person who repents of

his sin and is willing to amend or correct his way of life.

How will a Christian congregation with its called pastor use the loosing Key?

Isaiah 40:1-2 Comfort, comfort My people, proclaim that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

A Christian congregation with its called pastor will use the loosing Key to

announce God's forgiveness publicly in our worship services and privately to

individuals. (Absolution)

to the CHURCH

Jesus gave the KEYS

to forgive and comfort the

penitent.

to warn and withhold forgiveness from the

impenitent.

JESUS IS SPEAKING

The OFFICE of the

PUBLIC MINISTRY

- Word and Sacraments- Binding & Loosing Keys

- Called

- Qualified

Not by Human Custom

Ordained by God

Pastor must be Serving

Christ & the Church