Ques. 85. Who are those of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not? And what do they teach? E. M. A.
Ans. This is symbolic language. The Jews claim to be Jehovah's people by descent. Many in Christendom do the same, claiming to have the true religion from their forefathers. This recognizes their being in the flesh and under the law and ordinances; and pours contempt on those who honor Christ's name and word only. They are the synagogue of Satan. for they are in opposition to the Word of God.
Ans. The keys are the authority the Lord gave to Peter to act for Him in what bore His name on earth.
In Acts 1 he directed that an apostle be appointed in place of Judas Iscariot.
In Acts 2 he spoke, convicting the Jews of putting Christ to death, and exhorted all to repent and to be baptized in His name. Three thousand were loosed from their sin that day.
In Acts 3 he healed a lame man, and convicted the Jews of the death of Christ, but, alluding to Christ's prayer on the cross, said, "I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers," but God by them fulfilled His Word. And now, if they would repent as a nation, Jesus Christ would come back and reign over them, fulfilling all the prophets. This bound their sin upon them as a nation.
In Acts 5 he bound Annanias' and Sapphira's sin upon them, and the judgment of God took them away. This is discipline, not eternal judgment. (See 1 Cor. 11: 32.)
In Acts 8, he, with John, went down to Samaria. The converts there had not received the Holy Ghost, though truly converted and baptized. Laying on of hands is identification with. And they prayed for them and laid their hands on them, declaring thus their oneness with the assembly at Jerusalem. The old feud between Samaritans and Jews is considered gone in the Church. Heaven ratifies their act and the converts received the Spirit. But Simon the sorcerer is manifested as an unsaved man, though baptized. The first empty professor is seen in him.
In Acts 10, Peter opened the door to the Gentiles, and commanded them, who had believed and received the Spirit, to be baptized in the name of the Lord. There may be other occasions where he used his authority. Others had authority given them as apostles-John, James, Paul, etc.