A framed document hangs in a dining room-turned sanctuary on the outskirts of this tiny central Mississippi city that reads, “Diocese of Thika, the Anglican Church of Kenya.”
The certificate shows who has authority over the two-month-old congregation, called St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church.
“We gave them what I call ‘the kiss of peace goodbye,’ ” said St. Michael’s priest the Rev. Linda Berry about her break from the Episcopal Church U.S.A. “Our main focus is on what we’re doing now, which is redoing church.”
Berry is part of a national movement of former Episcopalians and other believers aligning their congregations with conservative Anglican churches in Africa. Those seeking African oversight say they’ve become disillusioned with what they consider to be an increasingly secular drift in the Episcopal Church U.S.A.
Paul was not in communion with Barnabas because Barnabas was in communion with John Mark. Peter was in communion with the Jerusalem Gentiles until the Jews arrived, then he pretended he had never been in communion with them.
This communion dilemma is not not new to Christianity. Instead of focusing on it, find a place where you can focus on Christ. Leave the rest to follow Him by the dictates of their consciences. Let’s not make idols of communion. In the most defective church, where two or three are gathered, there is Christ.
[blockquote] where two or three are gathered, there is Christ. [/blockquote]
Justinmartyr, take a more careful look at the context of [i]discernment and judgment[/i] where you find that oft-quoted sound bite.
In the Bible, the short phrase “two or three” virtually [b]always[/b] refers to the number of witnesses required to make a factual decision–all things require two or three witnesses, when the community of God’s people sit in judgment on one another. (There is only a [i]single[/i] exception, where 2 or 3 olives left on the tree refers to the remnant of Israel.)
When two or three Christians gather together to make a judgment about a defect in a churchman–or by extension, a judgment about [i]a defective church[/i], there is Christ standing in the midst of the council. If you are a partaker in that council with defective motives, that should scare the socks off you.
This is the most misquoted verse in Christianity; its use as a feel-good set of “comfortable words” goes back to the sixth century. In its context, it never refers to Christians gathered together to worship or sing or even fellowship. It always refers to [i]two or three witnesses[/i], and that is how it would have been understood by the audience that Jesus was speaking to when he used the well-understood phrase “two or three.”
Brer Rabbit, thanks for putting the verse in context. That’s an interesting idea. I don’t know if the concept of worship can be excluded, I don’t see what excludes it from a biblical standpoint. Judaism has a concept of a minyon, a group of 11 needed for a prayer group.
It’ seems I’m posted my comment under the wrong article — I meant it for the cartoon of who was in communion with whom.
I think my point still stands, that there was a larger “lack of communion,” in those much admired apostolic times than we give credit. Instead of spending years sitting on their butts, wringing their hands, early Christians went about their primary business, the crystal-clear business of making disciples and communing with Christ. Here in America the more the Anglican Church disagrees, the less soul-winning seems to be done. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like to see a conservative Anglican province. But if you think that’ll be the end to the hand-wringing, you’re wrong. Once ABC Williams has waved his magic wand and sorted out all the hostility and lawsuits, and the Church Anglicana has created an alternative province, I guarantee you that province will be arguing among themselves and threatening to secede over issues such as Women’s Ordination, the Eucharist, anglo-catholicity vs protestantism, etc.
A gloomy view, I must admit. But I’m actually quite fine with it all. God reigns. His Church, the remnant is still triumphant, and nothing will change that.
the simples form of a local curch–
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
There are other references to meeting. Paul said Let all things be done unto edifying. Explain to me how this is a gathering for judgement instead of edifying (Acts 14:26)
JustinMartyr, I agree the passage lends itself to an extension to those gathered for worship. I’ve used it myself.
Harvey, check the context at Matthew 18:15-20.
Mt 18:15-17; [i]“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you … … if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”[/i]
18:18; [i]”…whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven…”[/i]
18:19; [i]”…if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done…”[/i]
Followed by the closing explanation of how that works:
18:20; [i]”For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”[/i]
Now I leave it to you, Harvey. How would you exegete these passages, paying close attention to the context?