Do 2 or 3 need to agree together to have God in their midst or to receive from God? (Matt 18:19-20)

Let’s look at another commonly used scripture, and see if it’s usually used in context… hint, I haven’t experienced it used in context very much…

It’s Matthew 18:19-20 BSB: “Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

One thing to take into consideration just from the start, is although this is written in the New Testament, it is still in the old covenant, not the new covenant. These were not Holy Spirit filled believers, as Jesus was still on earth, so the Holy Spirit couldn’t be in the believers. Jesus had not died and been resurrected. So looking at Matthew 18:20 in that context, we know that we are one with the Holy Spirit, the spirit of Jesus (1 Cor 6:17), and that would mean that we already have God’s presence with us, we don’t need more people gathered to have God’s presence. We are with him always. The Holy Spirit abides in us, and we abide in the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27). Even in the old covenant God is with the people: Deuteronomy 31:8 BSB says “The Lord Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” And now we are Holy Spirit filled, and we always have access to God, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we do not need another person with us to have that! I’m not saying it’s not good to gather together, and pray together, and stand together, and lift each other up, it definitely is. But it’s not required to have God with you. He is always with you! “And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b BSB

Now that we have talked through verse 20, let’s go back and look at verse 19 “Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:19 BSB. Remembering first that this is still old covenant, like we already addressed, let’s see what they are even talking about. If we go into the context of these verses, we would go back up to verse 15 of Matthew 18, and learn that this is about church discipline. And the instructions we get from the next few verses, tell us that if your brother sins against you, you need to talk to him directly, and address it, seeking repentance, or a change of direction. Then, if that doesn’t work, you take two or three witnesses of the sin, and seek repentance again. If he still refuses to listen, you go to the whole church, and if he still refuses, he is sent out of the church, but of course we love sinners who are not in the church. Notice this section brings up two or three people gathered to make something happen as well. Deuteronomy 19:15-21 is referenced. Let’s focus on verse 15, “A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Deuteronomy 19:15 BSB. So once again, they are talking about in the matter of church discipline, there must be two or three agreeing together. And yet, this is often taken to mean that two or three must agree together in prayer for anything to happen. In the matter of church discipline yes, but otherwise, I don’t know that we can say that. Because God has already given us everything we need: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3 BSB.

John 16:23-24 is referenced in my bible in Matthew 18. And it says “In that day you will no longer ask me anything, Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” John 16:23-24 BSB. So this verse, and others area telling us to ask God, and we receive what we ask. Another verse says: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 BSB. And “The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail” James 5:16b BSB. These aren’t the only verses, but a few, that let us know, that we ask and receive what we ask for in prayer, as a single person, filled with the Holy Spirit. The only time people seem to think we need two or more to agree together in prayer, is from this single verse in Matthew 18 that we are looking at today.

I do think that often, this is used just to encourage. We will be praying with another person, and say, when 2 or more agree together, it will be done with you, to encourage them that it is done. And I’ve done it myself, plenty of times, but it never completely made sense to me, it was a verse I’d never really spent a ton of time looking into. And with a few great sisters in Christ, I did look into it, and it was refreshing. Because I had already come to realize it didn’t make any sense. That’s because we all have the same Holy Spirit in us. Some may have more of their mind renewed to the truth of the word of God, and be walking in their soul and flesh more like Jesus, but in our spirit, we all have the same power and authority, that of Jesus Christ. And God loves us all. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34 and other verses). So some people don’t have more of the Holy Spirit. So we can ask as a single person, because the Holy Spirit is in us, and receive what we asked for, as many scriptures indicate. We don’t need to rely on another person for more power, or for God to answer with a more likely yes or anything like that. Although this is often used out of context to be encouraging, that two or more agree so it’s done, I think there is risk in not understanding it fully, because then people feel like they can’t ask God themselves. Or they may think that the prayer of just them does not avail much. That God won’t listen unless they get another person to agree with them. This is my concern.

So let’s take scripture in context. And remember that we are meant to be part of the body of Christ, and exalt each other (lift each other up), and pray and intercede for each other, and support and love one another, etc. And it’s great to agree with each other, because if you are asking for something that aligns with God’s will, other sisters and brothers in Christ should agree with you. Just know that you don’t have to get an agreement, or another person beside you praying to receive anything from God. That’s the important piece that I wanted to bring out. I want everyone to realize they have a direct connection to the father, through the Holy Spirit in them, and Jesus. They don’t need a second or third party, even though I’m not denying the help and comfort and joy that comes from praying with another person. It really is a help and joy, but it’s not required to receive.

So go to God yourself, ask and receive. And pray with others as well, but not as the only means to receive from God.

Hope you have a wonderful day. And I pray blessings and life over each one of you reading. Join us live for free sessions to learn more HERE (scroll to bottom), and get zoom links and schedule.

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