Sacred authority given by Jesus to St. Peter to make decisions that would be binding on earth as well as in Heaven (cf. Matt. 16:19).

• A. Keys of the Kingdom
• B. Papal Authority
• C. Primacy of Peter
• D. Church Governance

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is the image of authority Jesus gives to Peter, pictured as the keys of the kingdom. In the passage, the keys symbolize Peter’s ability to admit or exclude and to decide matters that have real consequences—on earth and in heaven. That binding and loosing language shows a concrete, authoritative role in governing the community of believers. Saying that the answer is “Keys of the Kingdom” captures this exact image from the scripture: Peter is entrusted with the access and authority to shape the Church’s decisions.

The other options point to related concepts but don’t match the specific image. Papal Authority refers to leadership in the church rooted in that office, which is broader and later developed, not the scriptural symbol of the keys. Primacy of Peter speaks to Peter’s special role among the apostles, but it doesn’t name the distinctive emblem of authority given—keys. Church Governance is too general and doesn’t convey the particular metaphor of a key entrusted to Peter.