>Do you have a better explanation? Why did Jesus give Peter the keys to the kingdom, and give him the authority to bind and to loose?<
I was being generous when I said “Not much of an explanation.” Actually, you dodged my questions completely.
Actually, you dodged my questions completely.
I certainly did not intend to dodge your questions completely. So let’s take them one at a time?
Question (Q): What level of authority, exactly?
Response (R): The authority to build His Church. The keys to the kingdom. The power to bind and to let loose.
Q: Please define what it is . . .
R: By giving Peter the keys to the kingdom, Jesus gave Peter authority over the heavenly city itself. The ability to open and close, just as the Lord gave Eliakim the key to the house of David in Isaiah 22:22, “what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” Even more so, Jesus gave Peter the authority to say who could not (bind) or who could (loose) enter the kingdom.
Q: . . .and why it makes a difference.
A: This made a big difference in Peter’s relationship with the other apostles. When John arrived at the tomb before Peter in John 20, John did not go in until Peter arrived and went straight in. When Peter went fishing in John 21, the six who were there together went with him. It was also in John 21 that Jesus gave His flock to Peter. It was Peter in Acts 1 who stood up and said it was necessary to choose a replacement for Peter. While all the apostles spoke at Pentecost, it was Peter’s words that are recorded in Acts 2. Peter worked the first miracle in Acts 3:1-7.
Q: Why couldn’t Peter be given the keys, but the Church still be based on Christ as the foundation rock in the parables of Mt.7.24-25 and Lk.6.48?
A: The Church is based on Jesus Christ as the foundation rock, and as the cornerstone. And as the foundation rock, Jesus did indeed give the keys to Peter.
Q: Or are you saying that Peter is the foundation rock in the parables of Mt.7.24-25 and Lk.6.48?
A: Not at all. Jesus is the foundation rock. But He knew He would be going to the Father, and accordingly would need someone to lead his disciples in the building of his Church. So the foundation Rock gave the keys to the rock whom He named in John 1 to build His kingdom on earth, His Church.
Q: Then please also explain why it is Christ that is called petra in Ro.9.33, 1Co.10.4 and 1Pe.2.8 and not Peter.
A: Because Jesus is the Foundation Rock and Cornerstone and Peter is not. Peter is a rock only because Jesus chose him to be a rock.
Now, I repeat my question which you have not answered. Do you have a better explanation?