Page 1 - Isn't everyone Gathered to His Name | Truth & Tidings
P. 1
The Challenge The Context
Isn’t everyone gathered to the Name of A reading of Matthew 18 will make it
the Lord Jesus? If you have ever tried ex clear that the context for the Lord’s stateÂ
plaining to one of your friends that you are ment in verse 18 is a local church and not an
part of a group of believers who do not take informal gathering of friends or a social outÂ
any denominational name but gather to the ing of believers. “Tell it to the church†(v17)
Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, then you should settle the question that the setting
have probably been confronted by this chal for the chapter is a church setting and not a
lenge. In their sincerity and simplicity, social or informal gathering. The investing
many take Matthew 18:20 to apply to any of the group (v18) with the authority to
and every time that two or three believers “bind and loose†confirms that this has to
meet. It hardly matters whether it is over do with church government.
coffee, pizza, or a Bible. And it certainly apÂ
plies to when they “go to church†and meet But some will object and say that the
with other Christians. Lord is “everywhere;†how can we limit His
presence to a local church?
But what does it mean to be gathered to
the Lord’s Name? Is it applicable to any The Concept
gathering of believers at any time? To any
group who meets for whatever purpose? It is important to distinguish between
the Lord’s omnipresence and His approving