Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: August 16, 2009
“WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER IN MY NAME”
Ben Justice
Jesus declared in Matt. 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of
them.” If there is one passage that has received more abuse from members of the church, it is this one. The
most common interpretation of this verse applies it to the assembly, believing that if just two Christians are
assembled together for worship, the Lord is with them. However, such may not be the case. Thus, in the minds
of many, it justifies missing the scheduled worship assemblies of the church, as long as one assembles and
worships, be it at home or the lake. There are several things to be said concerning this:
1.) Jesus was not discussing the assembly per see. Rather, this statement is in the context of church
discipline, which is to be carried out by the whole congregation, be it only two or three. Here is the context,
which begins at v. 15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear
thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth
of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the
church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. (18) Verily I say unto
you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed
in heaven. (19) Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it
shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
There is little misunderstanding concerning the meaning of verses 15-17. However, verses 18-20 are a little more
obscure. One thing is certain: They have to do with the action of discipline in the church. Very simply, what
Jesus was saying is that such actions of the church have Heaven’s stamp of approval.
The “binding” in v. 18 would refer to the withdrawal of fellowship. The “loosing” would be the restoration of the
sinning brother who had repented. If the church decides to withdraw fellowship, then this has already been
bound in heaven. In other words, it is simply carrying out Heaven’s will.
Verse 19 continues to speak of the position of God. The term “agree” coincides with “bind” and “loose” in v. 18.
Even if the church is made up of only two, the Father sanctions it.
The role of Jesus in this in given in v. 20. As you can see, v. 20 begins with the explanatory word “for.” If the
church decides to withdraw fellowship from the impenitent brother, Jesus says, “there I am in the midst of
them.” In other words, the Lord approves and validates the decision of the church. Here is a crucial point: When
one is withdrawn from by a congregation, they are also withdrawn from by the Lord himself.
2.) The NT pattern for every Christian is to be identified with a local congregation. The Scriptures know nothing
of the “lone-wolf” disposition, wandering from congregation to congregation. This is fundamental NT teaching.
Identification with a local congregation is absolutely required and loyalty to such. This pattern is clearly
established in Acts 9:26; 11:26; 13:1-2. A local congregation can’t even exist without members who make it up.
If everyone had the attitude of some in being floaters from one congregation to another, then the local
congregation could not even function in carrying out its God-given work. Many want to be exempt from
congregational responsibility and accountability; they want to forever remain beyond the reach of oversight and
discipline; they want to forever remain outside the scope of the work of the local church.
3.) When the assemblies are called for the local congregation of which I am a member, I am obligated to be
present at those assemblies. Again, this is the NT pattern (Acts 11:26; 20:7; 1 Cor. 5:4). The NT, with equal
force, teaches us that we are not to forsake those assemblies that have been called — “Not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more,
as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25).
Perverted scriptures will only lead to error — error either believed, taught, and practiced. Matt. 18:20 doesn’t
teach what many believe it teaches. Let’s make sure we rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).
IT JUST KEEPS GOING!
Though times are sad,
And morals bad,
And strife and evil growing;
Though stocks may drop
And commerce stop,
God’s message just keeps going.
Though things are worse
Than this poor verse,
And troubles overflowing;
Though nations war
And taxes bore,
God’s message just keeps going.
In spite of fate,
In spite of hate,
In spite of billions owing;
In spite of all,
Both great and small,
God’s message just keeps going.
— Author Unknown