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the process of withdrawal FOUNDATION & OBLIGATION-page 2 we have dealt with the 'foundation' on page 1 we now deal with the 'obligation' we have in the ecclesia It would be difficult to find a worse example of biased and inaccurate translation than that which we read in Matthew 18v18. What the translators have done is to translate this verse exactly the same as Matthew 16v19. This is in spite of the undeniable fact that the Greek text gives an entirely different understanding in this case. Of course, it is convenient for all those who depend upon authority over their duped followers, to grasp at any straw in order to reinforce their privileged position. The normal English translation of Matthew 18v18 is: "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (AV). This is almost verbatim to Matthew 16v19, which we have dealt with on page 1. We have shown the earlier occasion set forth an irrevocable prophecy concerning the establishment of the ecclesia of Jesus Christ, based NOT upon Peter AS A PERSON, but upon THE CON- FESSION OF FAITH WHICH PETER HAD MADE. This understanding demolishes the claim to Divine au- thority which is made by the Roman apostacy. Now in ch.18 we are dealing with an entirely different situation, where the Lord is setting forth principles of supreme importance relative to the operation of His ecclesia during the long time of His absence. The 2nd claim of the Roman apostacy to infallibility is shown to be absolutely false, and blasphemy against God. A correct translation of Matthew 18v18 is contained in the Diaglott version, which renders the literal Greek- "Indeed I say to you, whatever you may bind on the earth, shall be having been bound in the heaven; and whatever you may loose on the earth, shall be having been loosed in the heaven". You, the viewer, now having the opportunity, probably for the first time, to read what Jesus was ACTUALLY SAYING, will perceive the vast difference between the literal Greek and the distorted version which has only served the purposes of evil men. Let us summarise: The translators' version says that God and Christ "in heaven" will automatically ratify the decisions of fall- ible men WHATEVER THEY ARE! The correct understanding, as revealed in the Greek, is that the decisions of fallible men MUST FOLLOW THE PRECEPTS REVEALED CONCERNING THE WILL OF GOD AND CHRIST "IN HEAVEN"! The first translation serves the ends of those wishing to retain their current power . The second (correct) trans- lation shows that the followers of Jesus Christ have a SOLEMN OBLIGATION (hence our heading) to FOLLOW THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST. The above is clear and allows no misunderstanding. And when we come to examine the context more minutely, we see that NO OTHER EXPLANATION IS POSSIBLE! So that this might be demonstrated to the viewer, we set out the relevant verses in Matthew 18: v1-14: the teaching of Jesus to be "humble..as little chil- dren" v4, 3. However, we are to "be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye child- ren, but in understanding be men"- 1st Cor.14v20. We are to care, as Jesus, for "that which was lost"- v11. Note v14- "Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish" (that is-the "little ones which believe in" Jesus,v6).. v15 : the words "against thee" should be omitted, as they are not contained in reliable texts, and they violate the whole context-cp v21, where Peter asks a ques- tion as to what to do if the sin is AGAINST HIM- something which he would not have done if it had already been dealt with by Jesus. And in fact in v22 the Lord gives Peter much different advice. So what then is the meaning of verse 15? It is obviously the situation referred to in Gal.6v1- "..if a man be overtaken IN A FAULT"- i.e. it is not a personal offence, but A SIN AGAINST GOD. v15 : in such a situation, Jesus teaches: a. speak privately to the offender, to "gain thy bro- ther".. v16 : b. if a private discussion and warning is unsuccess- ful, "take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established". Here Jesus is quoting from Deuteronomy 19v15, where the context is clear- SIN AGAINST GOD – as in Matthew 18v15-20.. This same quotation appears also in 1st Tim.5v19. v17 : c. if even this is unsuccessful, "tell it unto the eccle- sia: but if he neglect to hear the ecclesia, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican". It is in this context and in this context alone that we must consider what follows - - v18 : the decisions of the ecclesia must be in harmony with Divine principles, as we have shown. In such a case it is evident that God and Christ will endorse them. However, an important consideration arises: WHAT IS THE RESULT IF THE DECISIONS OF THE ECCLESIA ARE NOT IN HARMONY WITH THE PRINCIPLES SET FORTH BY THE LORD? v19 : Jesus proceeds to deal with just this possibility- "Again"- i.e. here is further teaching to cover this very real possibility, that fallible men might not "judge righteous judgment"- John 7v24. "I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father in heaven". We cannot, we dare not, wrest these vital words from their context. The only "two" spoken of are those mentioned (the faithful) in v16. So the "two" in v19 can be any of those who stand for the Truth- for they are all faithful witnesses. All faithful (as also should we ) bear witness to the truth-perhaps at a very great personal cost- link to 'apocalypse'. Jesus Christ is "the faithful and true witness"-Rev- elation 3v14...will He endorse any who betray Him? Practically, the important thing here is that THE ECCLESIA HAS MADE THE WRONG DE- CISION WHEN THE SIN CAME BEFORE IT. IT HAS DECIDED FOR THE SINNER AND NOT FOR THE FAITHFUL WITNESSES! But we must remain steadfast - link to proverbs-p.3. As corrupt men gained power over the ecclesias, just such situations began to multiply. They forgot the admonition of Peter (2nd Peter 5v1-3)- "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; NOT FOR FILTHY LUCRE, but of a ready mind; Neither as being LORDS OVER GOD'S HERITAGE, but being ENSAMPLES TO THE FLOCK". We have written much on the disastrous events which followed such departure from the Faith. SEE THE LINKS BELOW. RETURNING TO MATTHEW 18, WE QUICKLY SEE THAT WHAT WE HAVE PRESENTED IS CORRECT- v20 : the result of the wrong ecclesial decision in favor of the sinner in v18 has now resulted in DIVISION. Does the Lord endorse such action? We know that He prophesied that such would occur- Luke 12v49-53; re the two "seeds" link to 'promises'. We have already seen, in v19, that He promises the request of the "two" (of the "witnesses", see above) will be granted. What is the only possible request of the witnesses in such an agonizing situation? IT MUST BE THAT GOD AND CHRIST WILL BE WITH THEM IN THEIR FAITHFUL ACTIONS. v21 : The Lord answers their request in the most emphatic manner when He says (linking with v20 by "for")- "For where two or three (the only "two or three" mentioned elsewhere in the whole of the verses under consideration are the faithful in V16!) are GATHERED TOGETHER IN MY NAME"- i.e. a faithful ecclesial assembly has been convened, SEPARATED FROM THE OFFENDING ECCLESIA- What does Jesus promise? "THERE AM I IN THE MIDST OF THEM". And so, these faithful ones have implemented the Doctrine of Fellowship- as Paul later stated he would do failing a change of mind by those in error, 2nd Corinthians 10v6; 13v1,2,10.. and faithful disciples have had to do down through the ages of time in obed- ience to the obligation laid on them by Jesus Christ-cp Luke 12v49-53; Rev. 2v2,9; 3v8; 12v6, 14-17- link to 'fellowship'.The fault that Jesus later found with some ecclesias was that THEY WERE TOLERATING ERROR IN THEIR MIDST! Revelation 2v14,15,20. The only ecclesias fully commended had become separ- ated from "the synagogue of the satan"-link to 'satan'- Revelation 2v8-11; 3v7-13. And so the presence of God and Christ has been re- moved from the faithless assembly, and transferred to the new ecclesia comprising the faithful witnesses. Verse 20 has often been quoted to show that the Lord is present even in small assemblies. This is true only if THE ASSEMBLY IS FOUNDED UPON THE TRUTH. If, after scriptural admonition, it has allowed apostacy to remain, the presence of Christ is certainly not there! There is a most significant Old Testament precedent for this situation which we are considering. In Leviticus 26, God withdraws fellowship from Israel because of their unrepentant sin, after a three-fold admonition(as we see in Matthew 18). And He also lists His witnesses to their iniquity. The result is- "Then will I also walk contrary to you" v24. v21 : As we have stated, the question of Peter which follows proves conclusively that the above is correct, for he also has understood, as we have, that there is a THREE-FOLD WARNING FOR SINS AGAINST GOD but "how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Until seven times?" (thinking this would be appropriate as against three times in the case of a sin against God!). But the Lord answers him thus: v22 : "I say not unto thee, Until seven times, but UNTIL SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN". In other words, forgiveness for personal offences should be extended without any imposed limits. THE MATTERS WHICH HAVE BEEN PRESENTED ARE VITAL FOR OUR SALVATION. WE SUGGEST THAT YOU ALSO LINK TO THE FOLLOWING: return to p.1 return to fellowship go to satan go to apocalypse go to departure go to 'the Lord's day' go to 'the time of the end' |