So what is Peter doing at the Pearly Gates (of heaven I presume) when he has the keys to the Kingdom?

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So today I heard an explanation of today’s gospel reading about the Lord, the rock, and the keys.

This is what I think I heard:

Peter was given the keys to the “Kingdom” which in Catholic theology is the time between Jesus’ ascension and his return (now).

Is this right?

Or are the pearly gates somewhere else?

Thanks in advance.
 
I feel when my numbers up I will appoach a large table and St.Peter will be there with an enormous scale of justice by his side. We will see our life in a movie…the things that we did for the benefit of others will be for the plus side of the scale…the other stuff,not so good will…well, be on the negative side…we will also see for the fjrst time what a wise crack or a wise saying did to and for others. Each act that we did willingly will be judged accordingly…I am sure we ,I know I will be…be surprised when we thought we were being goody goody and we were not…while on the other side when we thought we acted in poor taste and the results turned out better then we thought or knew…and so its a very interesting job Pete has. I wonder if he pushes a button for the elevator down for the losers…and what .sideways for those heading for purgatory…the half way house…lets wait and see…
 
I thought it referred to the Kingdom here, too; that’s why he was given direction of the Church. When all things are brought ‘under subjection’ to Christ, the Kingdom will be given back to God the Father.

Peter was a little impetuous…I kindof hope there’s someone else at the Pearly Gates. Somebody with the compassion of Mother Theresa and a good sense of humor…
 
I think that, in actual Church teaching, The Power of the Keys extends only to the Church on Earth. I read someplace, regarding gaining indulgences for the souls in Purgatory, that the Church can only offer them to God and ask His mercy. The writer claimed that the souls in Purgatory are beyond the jurisdiction of the Church on Earth; so the Church has no power to release them.

I don’t remember the source, or how official it was, but it was a source I respected as knowledgeable.
 
mark_a said:
So today I heard an explanation of today’s gospel reading about the Lord, the rock, and the keys.

This is what I think I heard:

Peter was given the keys to the “Kingdom” which in Catholic theology is the time between Jesus’ ascension and his return (now).

Is this right?

Or are the pearly gates somewhere else?

Thanks in advance.
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**from the Book of Revelation, 21:15-21 -

The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man’s measurement, which the angel was using. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.**
 
peary1 said:
**from the Book of Revelation, 21:15-21 - **

The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man’s measurement, which the angel was using. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.
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Sorry to be so thick, but I don’t get it.
 
mark_a said:
Sorry to be so thick, but I don’t get it.
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The origin of the term “Pearly Gates” comes from the Book of Revelation quoted. It is a southern term that goes back at least 200 years.

Catholic theology says nothing about Saint Peter being at the entrance of the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem. This was a Baptist thing, that since Saint Peter had the keys to Heaven, he would be there at the ‘pearly gates’ to let us in.

Hope this helps.
 
peary1 said:
The origin of the term “Pearly Gates” comes from the Book of Revelation quoted. It is a southern term that goes back at least 200 years.

Catholic theology says nothing about Saint Peter being at the entrance of the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem. This was a Baptist thing, that since Saint Peter had the keys to Heaven, he would be there at the ‘pearly gates’ to let us in.

Hope this helps.
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Thanks for your thoughtful reply.
 
I read:
I feel when my numbers up I will appoach a large table and St.Peter will be there with an enormous scale of justice by his side…
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In school I learned a different version. Those in the state of mortal sin will go to hell. By committing one mortal sin a person is excluded from the state of grace. If that sin is not forgiven in confession or by an act of perfect contrition, which is very difficult to perform, one is damned.

It does not matter how many good and virtuous acts one did. One strike and you are out
 
The keys are the means by which Heaven is unlocked: prayers, fasting, devotions, charity, the sacraments. The Catholic church has sturdy ones that an ordinary mortal can safely use to gain entrance.
 
peary1 said:
The origin of the term “Pearly Gates” comes from the Book of Revelation quoted. It is a southern term that goes back at least 200 years.

Catholic theology says nothing about Saint Peter being at the entrance of the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem. This was a Baptist thing, that since Saint Peter had the keys to Heaven, he would be there at the ‘pearly gates’ to let us in.
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This just blew my mind!
 
Jesus was delegating power and authority to Peter as the primary shepherd His Church. It is through the Church that we are saved (attain heaven). Keys (to the kingdom of heaven) are a sign of this authority. The Church teaches, governs and sactifies us. Matthew (23:13) tells us that Jesus scolded the scribes and Pharisees for locking the kingdom of heaven, and keeping others from entering.
 
Nino said:
I feel when my numbers up I will appoach a large table and St.Peter will be there with an enormous scale of justice by his side. We will see our life in a movie…the things that we did for the benefit of others will be for the plus side of the scale…the other stuff,not so good will…well, be on the negative side…we will also see for the fjrst time what a wise crack or a wise saying did to and for others. Each act that we did willingly will be judged accordingly…I am sure we ,I know I will be…be surprised when we thought we were being goody goody and we were not…while on the other side when we thought we acted in poor taste and the results turned out better then we thought or knew…and so its a very interesting job Pete has. I wonder if he pushes a button for the elevator down for the losers…and what .sideways for those heading for purgatory…the half way house…lets wait and see…
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This sounds like saved by works… This is not the Catholic teaching at all. We MUST do works, but NOT to earn our salvation… That is why Christ came, to allow us to be made whole with God again. (and to provide one heck of an example!).

We have been imparted Grace from God, and, its up to each one of us to respond to that Grace. Let’s hope most of us choose to except it.

Teak
 
Joe_Kelley said:
I think that, in actual Church teaching, The Power of the Keys extends only to the Church on Earth. I read someplace, regarding gaining indulgences for the souls in Purgatory, that the Church can only offer them to God and ask His mercy. The writer claimed that the souls in Purgatory are beyond the jurisdiction of the Church on Earth; so the Church has no power to release them.

I don’t remember the source, or how official it was, but it was a source I respected as knowledgeable.
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‘Whatsoever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, whatsoever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven…’ The passage is pretty clear that the souls in purgatory can indeed fall within the jurisdiction of the Church.
 
peary1 said:
Catholic theology says nothing about Saint Peter being at the entrance of the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem. This was a Baptist thing, that since Saint Peter had the keys to Heaven, he would be there at the ‘pearly gates’ to let us in.
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How could it be a “Baptist” thing when from my research Baptists don’t believe in the saints?

I have also had a question, maybe someone here can help me. I have been reading my bible alot lately and the more I read the more questions I have. I know the church believes that Peter is the “founder” of the church. But in the bible it is Paul that brings the word to Rome and the gentiles. He also wrote more books of the bible than peter. Doesn’t Paul seem to be more of the founder of the church than Peter? Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
 
Peter brought the message of Christ to the Jews. Paul was chosen (called by God) to bring the good news of salvation to the gentiles.
 
diane_mcnally said:
Peter brought the message of Christ to the Jews. Paul was chosen (called by God) to bring the good news of salvation to the gentiles.
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That is what is causing my questions. Since Paul brought the good news to the gentiles, why isnt he considered the founder of a church of gentiles? I know Jesus said “on this rock…” But paul brought the message to Rome and that is where the church was started, right??
 
disciple123 said:
How could it be a “Baptist” thing when from my research Baptists don’t believe in the saints?

I have also had a question, maybe someone here can help me. I have been reading my bible alot lately and the more I read the more questions I have. I know the church believes that Peter is the “founder” of the church. But in the bible it is Paul that brings the word to Rome and the gentiles. He also wrote more books of the bible than peter. Doesn’t Paul seem to be more of the founder of the church than Peter? Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
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Jesus Christ is the founder of the Church, not Peter. Peter is the Rock upon which the Church is built. Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles.
 
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