Mt 18:20 Where two or three

[ckerscher]

Often I’ve heard this passage used to support that Christ is in our midst when two or more of us gather for prayer or perhaps to perform some Christian work.
The following from drbo.org/chapter/47018.htm explains the passage this way:

20 For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

20 “There am I in the midst of them”… This is understood of such assemblies only as are gathered in the name and authority of Christ; and in unity of the church of Christ. St. Cyprian, De Unitate Ecclesiae.

What effect would the ‘state of grace’ of each person have on Christ’s being there in that assembly?
What assemblies qualify as those ‘in the name and authority of Christ’?

Thank you,
Charlie

 

[Crumpy]

A very big idea in the Old Testiment is the shekinah (“dwelling”) of God with Israel.

The general idea is illustrated in the cloud that overshadows the desert tabernacle, for example.

Of course, then, it is a “big” idea in the New Testament, and it means the same, the presence of God in our midst.

I think this idea shows that the Church is not just all disciples of Christ when gathered together (which never has happened, I think), but, on the contrary, the shekinah is there where even two or three members of the Church are gathered in His name.

This proclamation and promise of Christ is an affirmation of His divinity, I think. How else could He accomplish what He is saying, otherwise? I think it represents a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and is part of the “new testament” which is to say the “new covenant.” A covenant is an agreement wherein people give themselves to each other, as in marriage. So, this, in all likelihood, includes the idea that God is in the Church.

 

[YourAverageJoe]

Often I’ve heard this passage used to support that Christ is in our midst when two or more of us gather for prayer or perhaps to perform some Christian work.
The following from drbo.org/chapter/47018.htm explains the passage this way:

20 For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

20 “There am I in the midst of them”… This is understood of such assemblies only as are gathered in the name and authority of Christ; and in unity of the church of Christ. St. Cyprian, De Unitate Ecclesiae.

What effect would the ‘state of grace’ of each person have on Christ’s being there in that assembly?
What assemblies qualify as those ‘in the name and authority of Christ’?

Thank you,
Charlie

Protestants use these verses to qualify each of their 30,000 denominations, if two or three gather God must be their right there in their midist, Right ?? Sola Scriptura… Christ can not be fully in these assemblies meanwhile each obtaining contradicting doctrines with one another… When Truth is present, God is fully present…and only ONE truth can exist fully.

 

[Nita]

Often I’ve heard this passage used to support that Christ is in our midst when two or more of us gather for prayer or perhaps to perform some Christian work.
The following from drbo.org/chapter/47018.htm explains the passage this way:

20 For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

20 “There am I in the midst of them”… This is understood of such assemblies only as are gathered in the name and authority of Christ; and in unity of the church of Christ. St. Cyprian, De Unitate Ecclesiae.

What effect would the ‘state of grace’ of each person have on Christ’s being there in that assembly?
What assemblies qualify as those ‘in the name and authority of Christ’?

Thank you,
Charlie

If you check the setting in the gospel, Jesus is speaking to Peter and the disciples (Mt. 18:1) when he says this. It comes right after He gives them the power to excommunicate members from the church (vs 15-17) - telling them that what they bind on earth will be bound in heaven… (vs 18). Since it is the leaders(disciples) that Jesus is speaking to, it seems to indicate primarily a promise that God will be present in a special way when they are gathered.

But I don’t think the Church restricts the application to gatherings of our Church authorities only.

 

[mary1173]

There’s an interesting twist, and a question to be answered…Is it that Christ is NOT there if only one person is present? I happen to believe that Christ is present spiritually in my life even if no other person is gathered with me in his name. It is also reflective of speaking about the mass, when the church gathers to eat his body and drink his blood. That there are more than two or three gathered in his Father’s house, in his Father’s name, as well as his. For he and his Father are a part of the same holy trinity. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are present at the mass. And wherever there is someone who believes he is there also. God and yes, Christ,] are omnipresent, at all times, in all places, all of the time.

Even though there s a difference of opinon as to whether good works and service in addition to faith equals salvation, some may speculate that some people were given charge by God to perform those good works in addition to faith, they will be saved. But it can also be said that the man who does not do the same sorts of good works as the first man can also be saved by what he CAN do, even if it isn’t in the same form orat the same level as the next person.
Each person is able to do what they are able to do. No one can say if they would be able to handle another’s workload, because it isn’t known to that person what sort of work they would have to do to accomplish the same outcome.
So I will leave you with one thing to ponder…why argue about exact specifics when God doesn’t expect perfection from us, why do we insist on it from others?

 

[Smile1934]

(1 Corinthians 3:16-17) “Didn’t you realize that you were God’s temple and that the Spirit of God was living among you? If anybody should destroy the temple of God, God will destroy him, because the temple of God is sacred, and you are that temple.”

(John 15-21) “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

One does not need to be in assembly with others to be in the presence of the Lord.

 

[ready]

(1 Corinthians 3:16-17) “Didn’t you realize that you were God’s temple and that the Spirit of God was living among you? If anybody should destroy the temple of God, God will destroy him, because the temple of God is sacred, and you are that temple.”

(John 15-21) “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

One does not need to be in assembly with others to be in the presence of the Lord.

True. The two or three you are keeping company with can be the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Itself within you.