Content on the Phrase Two or more Roger Dale Lampley
In the bible verse Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Let’s look at this verse, Jesus said this to let us know if we are gathered in His Name.
The El Paso International School of faith, (EPISF) teaches a course, the first one as a matter of fact, “How to Study the Bible”. How we feel about God is how we study the Bible. That would be another discussion. We sometimes take this verse out of context. Let’s take a look at this verse Matthew 18:20. Let’s use what we learn in the “ How to Study the Bible” as a way of looking at verses.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
1. The phrase, “gathered together in my name” is used a lot to justify the actions we are doing. The action must be in the name of Jesus, not just two people that confess to God.
2. Let’s look at it this way if I and a brother go into a Bar, a Restaurant, or a gymnasium. Jesus is not necessarily there as well, only if we were to go in the Name of Jesus. In the Name of Jesus is the Key, and the only Key to God being there.
3. If I go into a Church to Worship, God is with me. If two or more go into a church to worship, God is with Us. Remember In His Name.
4. Some people make the mistake of thinking that if two or more gather, then God Sanctifies the action, and what they are doing. If they are not there for the glory of God, God is not there. Remember, God does not do Sin or Outside His will.
Let’s look at the context of Matthew 18:20. We will have to start with Matthew 18:15. To start with, it is about if a brother sins against You. This is Jesus on conflict resolution.
Matthew 18:15 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.
1. To start with, Jesus said for you and you alone to go to the brother or sister and talk about the problem. This is the first step to working out a conflict, note, you alone, one-on-one. Jesus did not say to talk to a group of people at this point, it needs to be you and the person alone.
2. Too often we want people to agree with us before we take the time to talk to the other person. Jesus said it needs to be a discussion of one-to-one. And you may solve it there.
Matthew 18:16 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.
1. Now if the brother or Sister does not respond, then you only involve one or two more in the discussion. Remember you are only involving one or two, not the whole church or any group to help at this point. With this again, you might solve the problem.
2. We are not to add to the step in the verse or take away from the verse. There is a warning not to do this in Revelation.
Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglects to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.
Matthew 18:18 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.
Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
1. The verses 17,18,19 talk about if the person does not hear the church, after bringing it to them, then let them go. Not everybody will follow God, not everybody will be saved. You can let them know you care, but the world and sinner that will not comply to the teaching of God should not be let to influence the Family of Believers on God.
2. Here two or more shall agree on earth, then if it is in the Father’s will, it shall be done for them. If we are one accord, then the Father’s will blesses us. “2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
1. In the context of two or three are gathered together in my name, was for helping the lost to come into or back into the family of God.
2. This is the step to solve conflict resolution. It is not to justify our action that is outside the will of God.
3. God wants us to be together, the phrase, “one another” is used over 50 times in the Bible. We are to help one another, come together with one another. Gather in the Name of God, he will be there also.
Don’t just read the Bible, Study It!
Deacon Roger Dale Lampley
McCombs Baptist Church
