Inspiration Point

Salvation Keys to the Kingdom

Reverend John Nowacki

The apostle Peter was probably more zealous, livelier, more persuasive, and more determined than the other disciples, and for these characteristics and others Jesus Christ chose him to use first the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Consequently, on the Day of Pentecost it was Peter who addressed the crowd, explained what the people saw and heard when the disciples received the Holy Ghost, and proclaimed the way to enter the kingdom of heaven.

On the Day of Pentecost Peter received the gift of the Holy Ghost, along with the other disciples. When he stood in front of the crowd, the eleven others stood with him in agreement with his preaching of the wonderful news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost.

People became so convicted of the message that they addressed both Peter and the other apostles, asking the way to this salvation: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

Peter answered the question with the keys given to him by Jesus: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." About three thousand people gladly accepted these keys on that birthday of the church. (See Acts 2:37-41.)

On the Day of Pentecost the salvation message was preached to Jews; a short time later it was preached to the Samaritans, who also received it gladly. (See Acts 8:5-16.) Later it was preached to the Gentiles, who also received the same wonderful salvation experience. (See Acts 10:34-48.)

The prophetic words of the Lord Jesus to Peter, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 16:19), were fulfilled among the Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles, representing the entire population of the world. The same interlinking gospel keys opened the door for all people to enter the kingdom of heaven. These keys are three:

1. Repentance toward God.

2. Water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

3. The reception of the Holy Ghost with the sign of speaking in tongues.

Today the good news is still being preached to all peoples in all nations. Jesus declared the universality of the gospel in Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Dear reader, have you used the keys given to the church by our Lord Jesus? Have you repented of your sins? Are you baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you received the Holy Ghost? The same salvation keys that opened the door to the Jews, to the Samaritans, and to the Gentiles, are available to you. There is no other way into the kingdom.

This article is a reprint from the October 1999 issue of the Pentecostal Herald.

Reverend John Nowacki is a UPCI Missionary to France
and speaker of Harvestime Radio in France
United Pentecostal Church International