In this daily Bible reading is the account of Jesus asking his disciples what the people were saying about Him. Who did they think Jesus was? Some said that Jesus was Elijah. Others said He was John the Baptist. Some said He was Jeremiah. Then Jesus asked his disciples who they thought He was. Peter answered: “Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.” Jesus answered Peter: “Blessed art you, Simon Barjona because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in Heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my Church.”
Jesus also told Peter that Jesus would give Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. He told Peter, “Whatever you shall bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you shall loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven.” Jesus’ words seemed to indicate that Peter would form Jesus’ Church after Jesus died.
Some believe that Peter was also given control over entry into Heaven. I rather believe that Peter was given the authority to form the Christian Church which could lead people to Heaven or put people in bondage to religion.
The Christian Church has had both effects over the ages. Church members who did not know the Word of God were held in bondage by the Church leaders. For example, the Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Pope is the apostolic successor of Peter and has authority over who will or will not be allowed into Heaven. The Bible does not support this teaching.
