The Rock and the Keys SERIES: What about Peter?

"Q: But how about the words of Christ being addressed directly to

Peter? 

There is no question but that Peter occupied a prominent place among the apostles. He was a natural leader, and often spoke for the others. Moreover, he was a pioneer in gospel work. 

In the council at Jerusalem he said: Acts 15:7 Men and brethren, you know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 

But although he was the first one to preach to the Gentiles, his special work was among the Jews, as we read from Paul, concerning this same council.
Galatians 2:7 When they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 

8 (For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 

9 ...they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 

*Here we find that a special dispensation of the gospel was

committed to Peter, even as unto Paul. 

*But this did not constitute him the sole guardian of the doors of heaven. 

As one to whom the gospel was specially entrusted, he did most certainly have the keys of the kingdom of heaven in his possession; 

*but this special commission he shared with Paul, and to Paul was given the greater work. 

So they keys of the kingdom of heaven were committed to Paul as well as to Peter, and in a greater measure, since he... 

1 Corinthians 15:10 ...labored more abundantly than they all.

And not only were the keys given to Peter and Paul, as pioneers in the great work of the gospel, but to all their associates, who received the same divine commission; and not only to the apostles, but to the prophets, who declared the word of the Lord. 

And so the church, which is the house of the living God, stands not upon any one man, nor upon any company of men, 

but… Ephesians 2:20 ...upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone..."

E.J. Waggoner