The Keys of the Kingdom (HC 83)

HC 83. What is the Office of the Keys?
The preaching of the Holy Gospel and Christian discipline; by these two the kingdom of heaven is opened to believers and shut against unbelievers.

The Keys of the Kingdom are the authority God has given to leaders in the church to admit people and remove people from its membership.

I.    THE KINGDOM OF GOD
    A.    An Important Concept
    B.    Manifested in the Church
    C.    The Great Threat of Removal (Genesis 17:14; Leviticus 17:14; Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13)

II.    THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM
    A.    The Importance of Leaders (Numbers 12:8; Hebrews 13:17)
    B.    The Danger of Presumption (Numbers 16)
    C.    The Entrusting of Keys (Isaiah 22:17-23; Matthew 16:19; 18:18)