Expert: Thurman C. Petty, Jr. - 10/15/2009

Question
Isn't the matter of when two or three are gathered together more about contractual and business agreements. God being omnipresent is everywhere and there is no special magical number needed to be with Him. Therefore in my interpretation this scripture referencing specific numbers would be significant. Since there is no significant magic number required to meet with God looking at the scripture again I see terms like Binding and Loosing which are more contractual languages. Just asking. I here this scripture used to justify church and I think it may be a bit misused as it is more individuals meeting informally and reaching agreements using God as binding to the matter. Your thoughts?

Answer
Dear Kevin,

Thank you for your statement regarding Matt. 18:19, 20. It is part of a larger passage. I quote it here.

Mat 18:15  "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
Mat 18:16  But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
Mat 18:17  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Mat 18:18  "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Mat 18:19  "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
Mat 18:20  For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

This section deals with the problem of how the church should deal with a person who is at disagreement with another. In verse 15, the individual who believes he has been wronged is to go to the other first and try to patch up the difference between them. If this doesn’t work, he should take 1 or 2 others with him so that their wisdom will be of help in the dispute. This also provides witnesses to both sides, so that if the matter should go any further, there are witnesses to what has happened.

In verses 19 and 20, Jesus gets closer to the situation. He promises that when two people agree on anything that they wish from the “Father in heaven,” he will do it for them. This is, as I see it, a matter of spiritual concern, rather than just any contractual agreement.

Jesus continues in vs. 20 to point out that wherever two or three meet—“in my name”—He will be with them. Obviously this is a situation where the two or three are concerned with the study of the Scriptures, or praying among themselves concerning a mutual problem or circumstance, or when they are praying for someone else, etc.

Jesus’ presence, in this passage, should not be confused with His universal presence, otherwise He wouldn’t have needed to say anything on this subject. Jesus’ presence is especially with those who are gathered in His name whatever the number present.

I believe that, in this passage, Jesus portrays His personal interest in the lives of His people, in that, were the number involved only 2 or 3, He would still be present. Although He would be invisible, His presence would be no less real than it was when he stood visibly in the midst of his disciples after his resurrection.

Thank you again for your question.

Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
pettypress@gmail.com

Check out my web site, www.PettyPress.com where I’ve posted 20 e-books, 42 Bible Study Guides, and much more.