Episode 67: The Office of the Keys

July 16, 2026 James Preus

Goal: Students will learn what authority Christ has given to his church, what a pastor’s job is, and what it means to forgive and retain sins.

What is the Office of the Keys?

The Office of the Keys is that special authority which Christ has given to His church on earth to forgive the sins of the repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent.

Where is this written?

This is what St. John the Evangelist writes in chapter twenty: The Lord Jesus breathed on his disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:22-23)

What is the Office of the Keys?
The Office of the Keys is that special authority which Christ has given to His church on earth to forgive the sins of the repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent.
“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18
Why is this authority called the Office of the Keys?
This authority works like a key to open up heaven by forgiving sins and closing heaven by withholding forgiveness.
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19
Who should be forgiven (absolved) by the church?
Those who repent and ask to be forgiven should be forgiven.
“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19-20a
“I acknowledge my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32:5
Who are repentant believers?
Repentant believers are those who are sorry for their sins and believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
“I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.” Psalm 38:18
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31
“Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Mark 1:15b
Who are not forgiven and should not have forgiveness pronounced to them.
Unrepentant sinners, that is, those who are not sorry for their sins and do not believe in Jesus. These people are not forgiven as long as they do not repent.
“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” Matthew 18:17
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that killed the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!” Matthew 23:37
“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler- not even to eat with such a one.” 1 Corinthians 5:11
What should follow repentance and absolution?
“Then good works are bound to follow, which are the fruit of repentance.” (Augsburg Confession XII 6).
“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. “Matthew 3:8
“Go, and from now on sin no more.” John 8:11
“For we are [God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
How does the church publicly carry out the Office of the Keys?
The Christian congregation by the command of Christ calls pastors to carry out the Office of the Keys publicly in Christ’s name.
“And he [Christ] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds (pastors), the teachers.” Ephesians 4:11
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. (bishops)” Acts 20:28
“As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:21
“Appoint elders (pastors) in every town as I directed you.” Titus 1:5
What is a pastor called to do?
1. To preach the Gospel.
  “And Jesus said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15
  “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” 1 Corinthians 4:1
  “”Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” 1 Timothy 4:13
1. To administer the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
  “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
  “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread… ‘… Do this in remembrance of me.’ …. “…. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'” 2 Corinthians 11:23, 24, 25.
1. To forgive sins of repentant sinners and to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant (exercise the Power of the Keys).
  “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” John 20:22-23
The Office of the Keys is not just the authority to pronounce private or public absolution, but the entire ministry of the Gospel exercised in preaching, absolving, and administering the Sacraments.
1. [5] Our teachers’ position is this: the authority of the Keys [Matthew 16:19], or the authority of the bishops—according to the Gospel—is a power or commandment of God, to preach the Gospel, to forgive and retain sins, and to administer Sacraments. [6] Christ sends out His apostles with this command, “As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you … Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld” (John 20:21–22). [7] And in Mark 16:15, Christ says, “Go … proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation.” [8] This authority is exercised only by teaching or preaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments, either to many or to individuals, according to their calling. In this way are given not only bodily, but also eternal things: eternal righteousness, the Holy Spirit, and eternal life. [9] These things cannot reach us except by the ministry of the Word and the Sacraments, as Paul says, “The Gospel … is the power of God for salvation to everyone that believes” (Romans 1:16). [10] Therefore, the Church has the authority to grant eternal things and exercises this authority only by the ministry of the Word. (From “Article XXVIII. Church Authority” in The Augsburg Confession, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Pocket Edition. © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Source: https://bookofconcord.cph.org/en/augsburg-confession/abuses/article_xxviii/)
Should anyone publicly preach, teach, or administer the Sacraments without a rightly ordered call?
“Our churches teach that no one should publicly teach in the Church, or administer the Sacraments, without a rightly ordered call.” (Augsburg Confession XIV)
“And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” Romans 10:15
“And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them.” Jeremiah 14:14
What are the qualifications of a pastor?
A pastor must be a man, husband of no more than one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.
“If anyone aspires to the office of overseer [bishop], he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the same condemnation of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:1-6
“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2
Can a woman be a pastor?
No, Jesus only called men to be pastors and God forbids women to carry out this office.
“As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.” 1 Corinthians 14:33-34
“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” 1 Timothy 2:11-12
How should parishioners consider the words spoken by their pastor?
When the pastor speaks according to his office in accordance with Scripture, his hearers should regard his words as from God himself.
Jesus said, “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Luke 10:16

Goal: Students will learn what excommunication is and when and why the Church practices it.

The Office of the Keys Part 2

What do you believe according to these words?

I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners from the Christian congregation and absolve those who repent of their sins and want to do better, this is just as valid and certain, even in heaven as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself.

How should Christians address sin among Christians?
1. First, if your brother sins against you go and tell him his fault between you and him.
1. Second, if he refuses to listen to you, take one or two witnesses along with you.
1. Third, if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.
1. Finally, if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector (remove him from the congregation).
  “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17
  “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2
  “I therefore, a prisoner of Christ, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3
What is excommunication?
Excommunication is the removal of an openly unrepentant sinner from the Christian congregation.
“When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. … God judges those outside. ‘Purge the evil person from among you.'” 1 Corinthians 5:4-5, 13
“Open and hard-hearted sinners are not admitted to the Sacrament and other communion of the Church until they amend their lives and avoid sin [1 Corinthians 5].” Martin Luther, Smalcald Articles, Part III, Article IX.
What does it mean that the excommunicated person is excluded from the “rights and privileges of a Christian.”
It means that the unrepentant should not be forgiven, receive the Lord’s Supper, or receive a Christian burial unless he repents.
Where does the Church get the authority to excommunicate openly unrepentant sinners?
From Christ Himself.
“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” Matthew 18:18
What is the purpose of excommunication?
1. To lead the unrepentant sinner to repentance and faith.
  “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench.” Matthew 12:20
  “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19
1. To prevent the unrepentant sinner from leading others into sin.
  “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6
  “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?1 Corinthians 5:6
What is the duty of the congregation toward an excommunicated sinner who repents?
The congregation must forgive and restore to full communion fellowship any sinner, who repents and believes in the gospel.
“You should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.” 2 Corinthians 2:7-8

Goal: Students will learn the benefits of confessing their sins before God as well as before their pastor.

What is Confession?
Confession has two parts.
First, that we confess our sins, and
Second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness from the pastor as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.

What sins should we confess?
Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer; but before the pastor we should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts.

Which are these?

Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments: Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker? Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy? Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or quarrelsome? Have you hurt someone by your words or deeds? Have you stolen, been negligent, wasted anything, or done any harm?

What is the first part of confession?
First, that we confess our sins.
“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. … I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32:3, 5
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions, Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be justified in Your Words and blameless in Your judgments.” Psalm 51:1-4
What sins should we confess before God?
Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer.
“Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.” Psalm 19:12
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Matthew 6:12
What sins are we encouraged to confess before our pastor?
Before the pastor we confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts, especially those that particularly trouble us.
“David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The LORD also has put away your sin.'” 2 Samuel 12:13
What sins should you confess to your neighbor?
We should confess to our neighbor sins we have committed against him.
“If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” James 5:16
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
What is the second part of confession?
Second, that receive absolution, that is, forgiveness from the pastor as from God Himself.
“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Isaiah 1:18
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
How should you regard the absolution (forgiveness) spoken by the pastor?
We should receive the pastor’s absolution as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.
“Our people are taught that they should highly prize the Absolution as being God’s voice and pronounced by God’s command” (Augsburg Confession XXV 3).
“Whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18
“The one who hears you hears Me.” Luke 10:16
“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” John 20:23
What confidence do you have that the sins you confess privately to your pastor will remain confidential (private).
The pastor pledges not to tell anyone else of sins told him in private confession. (A pastor can be defrocked for divulging sins confessed to him.) “will you forgive the sins of those who repent, and will you promise never to divulge the sins confessed to you?”
“As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12
“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.” Proverbs 11:13
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer [bishop], he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach.” 1 Timothy 3:1-2
What is the benefit of going to private confession and absolution?
In private confession and absolution, God Himself forgives an individual’s sins through the pastor. Hearing the absolution for a particular sin gives peace to the conscience.
“Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity.” Psalm 32:2
“And Nathan said to David, ‘The LORD also has put away your sin.'”2 Samuel 12:13
Jesus said, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” Matthew 9:2
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
Go to page 292 in the Lutheran Service Book as well as A Short Form of Confession on page 26 of your Small Catechism. See also “Which are these?” on page 25 of the Small Catechism.