And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Jesus gives Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” which symbolizes authority and authorization to lead toward salvation, that is, to preach the gospel and to give guidance within the church. The expressions “to bind” and “to loose” mean to set, decide, correct, and regulate matters of faith and conduct, which, accordingly, will be confirmed or permitted in heaven in accordance with God’s will. Yet this authority is not given only to Peter; in Matthew 18:18 Jesus says the same expression also to all the disciples, showing that it is spiritual authority given to the church on the basis of the true confession of faith.