The Lord Building His Church – The Ground Of Gathering And What The Lord Requires

Feature 3 – April 2024 – Grace & Truth Magazine

The Lord Building His Church
The Ground Of Gathering And What The Lord Requires

Matthew’s gospel presents the King of God’s choice, the Messiah of the Jewish people. He came to Israel according to many prophecies written about Him. When “He came to His own” (Jn. 1:11 ESV ), however, He was not received by Israel’s leaders. Instead, only a few poor shepherds who were by night in the fields around the town of Bethlehem, alerted by God’s angels, made the effort to visit the stable where Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus, was born. With reverence, they honored Him there (Lk. 2:8-20). We quote part of Luke’s report, which contains many details for your further study: “The shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this Child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them” (vv.15-20). 

After some time, high-ranking visitors from the East came to Jerusalem, bringing gifts to honor the newborn King. They were led to a house in Bethlehem, where “they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh” (Mt. 2:1-11).

Israel’s leaders, however, did not acknowledge the newborn King. Instead, they opposed Him in their blind hatred. At first Herod and the party of the Herodians worked together with the Roman occupiers in rejecting God’s King. They were supported by the Sadducees, and later even the Pharisees joined them. Matthew reviewed the situation in chapters 1–12, whereas the Lord responded to all this in His parables of Matthew 13, showing that God’s plans will be fulfilled despite opposition. Jesus continued His ministry in grace, summarized in Matthew 14–15.

After this, the Lord traveled to the country’s far north where He asked His disciples who they thought He was (16:15). Peter, led by God’s Spirit and as revealed by the Father, answered by confessing Jesus in two ways: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v.16). This twofold testimony is about the Rock on which Christ was going to build His Assembly, or Church (v.18). This actual building process started after Jesus’ sufferings, death and resurrection, when the risen and glorified Son of Man sent the Holy Spirit from heaven (Acts 2). It will continue until the moment when the Lord will come from heaven to snatch us away (1 Th. 4:16-17). The Rock is not Peter, whose name means “stone” or “piece of rock,” but it is Jesus Himself, who is the Son of the living God and the Messiah of Israel.

God’s Assembly belongs to a realm that is beyond the power of death. At first Peter was not able to fully grasp or even accept the Lord’s plan, at least when He uttered these words (see Mt. 16:22); but with the coming of the Holy Spirit this changed (for example 1 Cor. 2). It is good also for us to understand that before God’s plan could be realized, the Lord Jesus had to suffer and die, as well as rise again on the third day in triumph over the power of death. Indeed, God’s plan implies tremendous challenges for all who desire to follow Jesus (Mt. 16:24-26). 

A New Foundation
The foundation on which the Lord Jesus was going to build His Assembly (vv.13,16-18) represents a concept that is beyond human making or thinking. These matters are closely linked with the Lord Jesus in several ways:

1. As the Son of Man, announced in many prophecies, He is the One who would die and rise again.
2. As the Christ, He also needed to die and rise from among the dead. Both terms refer to Him as being God’s anointed, in the Greek and Hebrew of those days. 
3. As the Son of the living God, He is God who cannot die! Thus, He alone was able to enter the realm of death and step out of it unharmed and victorious. Praise God!

Jesus also said, “On this rock will I build My assembly, and hades’ gates will not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18 JND). We have here: (1) the foundation, (2) the building, and (3) the Builder. 

Furthermore, the Lord linked His announcement to real discipleship, as seen in verse 24: (1) denying self; (2) taking up one’s cross; (3) and following Him. Thus, He prepared the materials He used and still is using as the great Builder to build His Assembly. At the same time we need to be suitable to the Master. In other words, God’s solid plan, made in His sovereignty, does not set aside human responsibility. These two aspects always go together in Scripture; how they do fit is something that only God fully knows, but we accept it by faith.

The Ground Of Gathering And What The Lord Requires

The announcement of the Lord Jesus building His Church is followed by the record of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt. 17). What we see there gives an impressive preview of His coming millennial reign – of the glory that will follow. But first the Son of Man would have to suffer and die, being delivered up into the hands of men (vv.22-23).

This important topic is closely linked with what follows, namely the disciples’ question: “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of the heavens?” (18:1). Their question contrasts the humility displayed by the Lord Jesus, who used the opportunity to give His disciples an important object lesson. He called a little child and put him in their midst. This child represented features displayed in the Lord Jesus, which He desires to see reflected in His disciples, whether at that time or in you and me today. He therefore said, “Verily I say to you, unless ye are converted and become as little children, ye will not at all enter into the kingdom of the heavens” (v.3 KJV). This is an important requirement of all followers of the Lord Jesus: we must humble ourselves and take a low place. We can only do this as we learn from our Master and take His yoke upon us, in obedience and submission to Him (11:29-30). 

The lessons the Lord taught in Matthew 18 are closely linked to our topic about the ground of gathering and what is required of believers to be gathered to His name. Besides practicing humble obedience, we must learn to exercise radical self-judgment (consider vv.7-9). This is an ongoing challenge as we gather to His name and around Him, while caring for each other and the lost, as a shepherd cares for the sheep (vv.10-14). Thus, we will be seeking His interests instead of our own (vv.15-20). Finally, we should always be ready to forgive others who have offended us (vv.21-35). In summary, these four things are prerequisites for being gathered to the name of the Lord: (1) humility, (2) self-judgment, (3) real care for the saints and for those who are lost, and (4) forgiving others. If we miss or refuse to exercise even one of these elements, we cannot practice what the Lord teaches: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt. 18:20).

In this one verse we have seven points that we need to consider and respect. These words are not hard to understand. Even today the Lord instructs us through these words to honor Him and to know how we may gather to His name. Let us list these seven points and try to grasp Jesus’ teaching, as we pray for His help and the help of the Holy Spirit to put His teaching into practice:

1. “Where” He leads us to be gathered;
2. “Two or three” are the minimum number of believers that is required;
3. “Gathered together” points to the free activity of the Holy Spirit who attracts and directs believers to the divine Center;
4. “In My name” implies recognizing and honoring His authority – who He is;
5. “There” says we put these instructions into practice by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us;
6. “Am I” suggests we are able to enjoy the presence of the Lord Jesus;
7. “In the midst of them” means we acknowledge Him and submit to Him as the true Center of gathering. 

Let us summarize these points in the following way: (1) a divine place, (2) a divine number, (3) a divine Gatherer, (4) a divine authority, (5) a divine presence, (6) a divine person and (7) a divine Center. May we, in the simplicity of faith, accept and practice these instructions given by our Savior and Lord!

Rather than just a formal way of putting these points in practice, the Lord seeks reality from our hearts’ desire. Consider the prophet Isaiah’s example, as he expressed, “O LORD, we have waited for You; the desire of our soul is to Your name, and for the remembrance of You” (Isa. 26:8). In obedience to the Lord and in true dependence on Him, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to enjoy His presence as He promised.

In the Jewish world a minimum of ten men is required to start a synagogue, whereas the Lord’s instructions for His disciples, whether of Jewish or non-Jewish background, a minimum is of two or three true disciples. (Of course, it is good to have more!) This minimum may imply one brother and one sister, as happens when a Christian couple gathers to remember Him. Or possibly, one brother and one sister, or two brothers, as they represent the very minimum number that Scripture allows. Even though perhaps taking place in a private home, such a gathering is a public testimony to honor our Lord Jesus, whom we see crowned with “glory and honor” (Heb. 2:9). Even in that setting, God’s instructions are to be respected, including what the apostle wrote about the silence of sisters. This does not mean that sisters are present only in a passive way. On the contrary, such sisters are spiritually engaged with the heart, participating in the singing and saying “Amen” after a prayer, but not in public speaking (1 Cor. 14:34-35). A proper and godly attitude is required of each brother or sister present as gathered to the Lord’s name. 

We sometimes tend to complicate things, but the Lord is looking at the heart (read 1 Sam. 16:7). He desires that we practice these instructions with simplicity of faith and obedience to His Word, with love for Him and His people. Many articles and studies have been written about Matthew 18:20. This verse points out the great privileges that are linked with such a gathering as well as our responsibilities as we desire to put the Lord’s instructions into practice. Any disagreement should be settled according to what He taught in Matthew 18:15-20. Let us not forget, however, that the Father is seeking worshipers, and that those who worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth, led by the Holy Spirit, in submission to Him and to God’s Word (see Jn. 4:23-24). The idea Scripture presents in John 4 as to “in spirit” is that our spirit is in tune with the Holy Spirit, and “in truth” means practical accordance with God’s revealed truth. May we respond to His desire as we gather around Him, perhaps only with two or three, in and to His name. 

Matthew 18:20 speaks about being brought together or led together, which implies specifically the activity of the Holy Spirit, who is always pleased to give the Lord Jesus His rightful place. The Spirit of God is dwelling in all true believers (read Jn. 14–16), and He helps us to give Jesus His rightful place, even though the Lord is rejected or dishonored on earth. Submission to Him is essential so we may bring Him the fruit of our lips and hearts.

By Alfred Bouter

Gathered to Thy name, Lord Jesus, Gathered here with one accord, Thine own self we own among us, Faithful to Thy promised word;
May our eyes on Thee, blest Savior, Rest with one unceasing gaze, And our hearts, with Thee enraptured, Overflow with songs of praise. As we wait in Thine own presence, Brought by Thee to God so nigh, As we solemnly remember, Thou for us didst deign to die;
May our souls bow down before Thee Who didst bear our every sin, And in hallowed sweet communion Here below Thy praise begin. —William J. Hocking (1864–1953)

Gathered to Thy name, Lord Jesus, Losing sight of all but Thee, Oh, what joy Thy presence gives us, Calling up our hearts to Thee!
Yet with rev’rence we would linger In the shadow of Thy cross, Which has closed our hearts forever To the world and all its dross.
Loved with love which knows no measure Save the Father’s love to Thee, Blessed Lord, our hearts would treasure All the Father’s thoughts of Thee. Blood-bought, reconciled, forgiven, Here Thy death we love to show, Waiting till above in heaven All Thy glory we shall know.
Oh, the joy, the wondrous singing When we see Thee as Thou art, Thy blest name, Lord Jesus, bringing Sweetest music to God’s heart!
Notes of gladness, songs unceasing, Hymns of everlasting praise, Psalms of glory, joy unceasing, Through God’s endless day of days! —Miss C. A. Wellesley