We will all be given the keys to heaven if are His followers. Peter was given no greater authority than the other disciples. He was re-instated with equal authority (in front of the other disciples) to quench any quarrels amongst the disciples. Peter had certainly been in hot water before.(Matt 16:23)This following Matt16:19 (Catholics favorite verse)which is really no different than Matthew 10:1-14 which outlines the apostles powers.
Bob, you are not following the Scriptural discourse that you insisted upon! The keys are symbolic. When you and I die and eventually reach Heaven (if that be the will of God), you will not be handed a set of keys. God will not place you or me in charge. Only Christ holds those keys! And He chose to "give" them to Peter when He made him "Prime Minister", get it? The keys are symbolic.
Peter was given no greater authority than the other disciples.
Indeed he was - as demonstrated in my previous post. Peter has the Keys of Authority over the Earthly Kingdom, the Church. For just a few minutes, take your head out of the NT and travel back to the OT. In 2 Sam. 7:16; Psalm 89:3-4; 1 and Chron.17:12,14, God promises to establish the Davidic kingdom forever on earth. Matt. 1:1 clearly establishes this tie of David to Jesus. Jesus is the new King of the new House of David, and the King will assign a chief steward to rule over the house while the King is in heaven. We read in Luke 1:32 that the archangel Gabriel announces to Mary that her Son would be given "the throne of His father David." Then, in Matt. 16:19, Jesus gives Peter the "keys of the kingdom of heaven."
A question for you, Bob. Why does the notion that our Lord established a head of the Church bother you so much?