Heidelberg Catechism · 1563

Q83. What are the keys of the kingdom of heaven?

The preaching of the holy gospel and church discipline. By these two the kingdom of heaven is opened to believers and closed to unbelievers.
Answer · Heidelberg Catechism

Scripture proofs

  1. [1]
    Matthew 16:19

    And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

    John 20:21-23

    Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Proof texts as given in the original; verse text from the King James Version.