We have several references from the Bible, which give us clues to answer the question, “What constitutes the church in Yahweh’s eyes?” A primary source for establishing what the church is, comes from the Book of Matthew. I can’t brag and say my mother named for me this writer; she named me after James Arness. He played the role of Marshal Matthew Dillon of Gunsmoke.
Matthew 16:18 - And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. - RSV
Roman Catholics use this verse to promote the Pope as the infallible, perfect leader of their church, with the Pontiff’s power propagating unbroken from Peter. The RCC firmly believes that His Son, Jesus, chose Peter to lead the formation of the Roman Catholic Church. The fact of the matter is that all modern day ‘Christian’ churches believe they are the one true church, operating continuously in some form since Jesus’ earthly presence. The millennia since His first coming have given us proof that this ‘single true church’ ideology has done nothing but caused wars, famine, and many ills that have befallen humanity.
Sorry to sidetrack, but I tend to use the RCC as my base denomination for delimiting the ideology of ‘Christianity’ as a whole. This is with good reason; it truly is the oldest and omnipresent denomination of ‘Christianity’. Growing up in Weymouth, MA, I believed there were only two types of ‘Christians’. You went to Sacred Heart in The Landing, and were Catholic; or you were lumped together as a Protestant, regardless of denomination. Most of my friends were Catholic, so I thought of my church in terms of how it differed, not what it did or represented.
Searching Matthew’s book again, we find a critical indirect reference to the church.
Matthew 18:19 – 20 – 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” - RSV
Here, Yeshua tells us that if two humans can agree on anything their hearts desire, Yahweh will make it happen for them in Heaven. He didn’t say if God wants to he might, he categorically states that it WILL happen. Verse 20 isn’t a repetition of nineteen. Here, Yeshua felt the need to drive the point home: Anywhere or anytime two humans gather in the name of God, Yahweh, he acknowledges this a gathering honoring Him. He didn’t say the Divine Force is there, God Himself is. This is what makes a church.
Amen
By Rev. Matthew Ray Gerrior November 18, 2002
Bible (Revised Standard Version) ¨New Covenant ¨Book of Matthew