Q83: What are the keys of the kingdom of heaven?

The preaching of the holy gospel

and church discipline.

By these two the kingdom of heaven

is opened to believers and closed to unbelievers.1

Q84: 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

Q85: How is the kingdom of heaven closed and opened by church discipline?

According to the command of Christ,

people who call themselves Christians

but show themselves to be un-christian in doctrine or life are first repeatedly admonished in a brotherly manner.

If they do not give up

their errors or wickedness, they are reported to the church, that is, to the elders.

If they do not heed

also their admonitions, they are forbidden the use of the sacraments, and they are excluded by the elders from the Christian congregation, and by God himself from the kingdom of Christ.1

They are again received

as members of Christ and of the church when they promise and show real amendment.2