Three gatherings: smallest, largest, and others. Which gathering are you a part of? I pray to God that you will be part of all three of these.
1) The smallest gatherings of Christians
For where two or three are gathered together4863 in1519 my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)
- 4863 Sunagó
- from sun and agó — to lead together, i.e. bring together, hence come together (pass.), entertain
- 1519 Eis
- to or into (indicating the point reached or entered, of place, time, fig. purpose, result)
This has been twisted by some groups to mean, “What name is over the door of your group?” But, the little Greek word eis proves that this is much more important than that. See: What is Salvation Baptism? This is talking about any group of 2, or more, real Christ-indwelt Christians — without any discrimination — regardless of age, race, creed, gender, origin, … or anything — regardless of religious name, religious creed, religious practice, religious ordinances, … or anything.
As an aside, this was part of a conversation between Jesus and His disciples (who would later be Apostles) before He was sacrificed on the cross for our sins. It was written before the Church age of grace. It was spoken by the law-giver, during the law-period, to law-keepers. The context is how to deal with a brother who sins, while addressing a problem among the disciples, who were arguing about who would be greatest in the kingdom. (Please read Matthew 18)
2) The largest gathering of Christians
Someday soon the Lord is going to gather his people together in the clouds to be with the Lord forever. This is the biggest gathering of Christians there will ever be. This is the most important gathering of Christians there will ever be. I pray to God that you will be a part of this gathering. If you’re not sure you will be in this gathering, please read: What should I do to inherit eternal life?
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)
This is also described in the second letter to the Thessalonians…
Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering1997 together to him, we ask you not to be quickly shaken in your mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter as if from us, saying that the day of Christ has already come. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 WEB)
- 1997 episynagōgḗ
- a specific (apt) “grouping together” that fulfills (builds on) the specific purpose of the gathering together (note the epi, “on”)]
3) All other gatherings of Christians
Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, and having a great priest over God’s house, let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our body washed with pure water, let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful. Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling1997 together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:19-25 WEB)
- 1997 episunagógé
- a specific (apt) “grouping together” that fulfills (builds on) the specific purpose of the gathering together (note the epi, “on”)]
These are the same kind of “gatherings” of Christians. They include all Christians. They include the same group of real Christ-indwelt Christians — without any discrimination — as described in the smallest gatherings of Christians. This is the group of saints that I want to be gathered together with — the group who have accepted the shed blood of Jesus Christ that has paid the penalty of their sins.
It is a sin for Christians to divide themselves from one another (1 Corinthians 1). Just like it is a sin to violate any of the commandments, laws, and statutes of God. But, when God looks down from heaven above, he looks at “His children” through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He does not see our sins. He does not see our physical sins, our spiritual sins, our self-righteous sins, or any of our sins. He sees “His children” reconciled to God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He sees “His children” perfect…
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)
Why don’t we see each other that way?