Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three have gathered in My name, I am there in the midst."
These passage is often used to defend the teaching that Christ is present whenever "two or three" are gathered in His name. I have heard people use this in regards to prayer and even bible studies. But is that what this verse means in its larger context? Let us look at the larger context:
The entire passage is on church discipline. Verses 18-20 teach that God validates the discipline decisions of the local church when the church is agreed on it.
Now, is Christ, through the Holy Spirit, present if two or three Christians are gathered? Certainly. But He is also there if only one is gathered. He is there if thirteen are gathered. It is just that Matthew 18:15-20 is teaching something different.
Why is this important? Because discipline is lawfully applied only within the church, not outside the church.
These passage is often used to defend the teaching that Christ is present whenever "two or three" are gathered in His name. I have heard people use this in regards to prayer and even bible studies. But is that what this verse means in its larger context? Let us look at the larger context:
Matthew 18:15-20 "If your brother sins , go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen [to you], take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. 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. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."
The entire passage is on church discipline. Verses 18-20 teach that God validates the discipline decisions of the local church when the church is agreed on it.
Now, is Christ, through the Holy Spirit, present if two or three Christians are gathered? Certainly. But He is also there if only one is gathered. He is there if thirteen are gathered. It is just that Matthew 18:15-20 is teaching something different.
Why is this important? Because discipline is lawfully applied only within the church, not outside the church.
