Day 31 • Question 84
84
How
is
the
kingdom
of
heaven
opened
and
closed
by
the
preaching
of
the
gospel?
According
to
the
command
of
Christ,
the
kingdom
of
heaven
is
opened
when
it
is
proclaimed
and
publicly
testified
to
each
and
every
believer
that
God
has
really
forgiven
all
their
sins
for
the
sake
of
Christ's
merits,
as
often
as
they
by
true
faith
accept
the
promise
of
the
gospel.
The
kingdom
of
heaven
is
closed
when
it
is
proclaimed
and
testified
to
all
unbelievers
and
hypocrites
that
the
wrath
of
God
and
eternal
condemnation
rest
on
them
as
long
as
they
do
not
repent.
According
to
this
testimony
of
the
gospel,
God
will
judge
both
in
this
life
and
in
the
life
to
come.
1
Footnote 1
Matthew 16:19
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
John 3:31-36
He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
John 20:21-23
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."