Matthew 18:15 – 20

15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’

17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

This message by Jesus refers to the relationships brothers and sisters are to have in the church. Jesus knew not everything would always be peaceful and harmonious. So he told us how to handle problems between our spiritual siblings. When you feel one has disrespected you or has done something wrong against you, you need to approach that person. It is very possible they do not even know they have done you wrong. The first step is to tell that person yourself and alone with them. If he or she takes care of the difficulty then nothing else needs to be done.

If the person refuses to acknowledge the wrong or will not listen to you then you need to take one or more people with you, this protects against misunderstandings because you have one or two witnesses with you

Verse 17 indicates these witnesses may need to also be intercessors as well because the offending person may not be willing to listen to them, if this second meeting is a failure then the matter will become a public affair and the one who is offended should take his case to the church. The church has the responsibility of hearing the complaint and the report of the witnesses, if it concludes the accused is guilty then that person needs to make proper amends. If that is refused then the guilty one needs to be excluded from the church which is equal to placing that person in the same class as the non-believers and in the realm of Satan.

(1 Corinthians 6:5[ I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? ])

Verse 18 again indicates the trust Jesus has placed in the apostles where the church and the gospel is concerned.

Verse 19 applies to the disciples generally and not just the apostles, an apostle can perform his special function with the presence of another.

(Acts 19:6[And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. ])

But this verse requires two disciples to be present, because it is the minimum number which can compose a congregation of the church which is referred to in verse 17. To agree means to be in accord, or harmony together on the matter. The understanding is this agreeing on matters which are right in are to be taught in other matters of the law of Christ. The Lord wants his church to be united in its activities and to act as a whole while doing the things pertaining to the spiritual welfare of all.

(1 Corinthians 5:4[In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, ])

(2 Corinthians 2:6[This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, ])

When we meet together in the name of Christ, He is there because all authority and glory must be given him through that body (Ephesians 3:21[to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.])

(2 Corinthians 2:10[ Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, ])

Jesus will always be present when any group of two or more of His disciples are gathered together.