No, for Matthew 18:19 refers to the unified agreement of the apostles, which confirmed the truth of the gospel and the presence of Christ. Likewise, where two or three are gathered in my name
refers to agreement reached between two or three disciples, so the binding doctrinal authority referred to in Matthew 18:18 is not only for a gathering of all the disciples. It has been promised to all of them and so can be exercised by any two or three. This grace is seen in their mutual agreement, but it is not tied to a formal college of disciples as such. Where even two or three of Christ’s disciples are present, he is in their midst with his Spirit and his wisdom—a promise fulfilled after Pentecost. Scripture records deviations by individual disciples, but never a collective error.
Moreover, Matthew 18:19, like Matthew 18:14, is meaningful apart from the reason we find it here: Common prayer bears great fruit. The statement is extremely general, concerning anything they ask.
If two disciples, together, offer true prayer (prayer which meets the conditions laid down by Jesus), and they ask for something, whatever it may be, it will be heard and answered in heaven. The Father grants it.
No, because what is referred to in Matthew 18:19 is the unified agreement of the apostles which served as evidence of the truth of the gospel and the presence of Christ. Likewise, the clause where two or three are gathered in my name
refers to the agreement reached between two or three disciples, meaning that the binding doctrinal authority referred to in Matthew 18:18 is not restricted to a fully assembled gathering of all the disciples. It has been promised to all of them and can therefore be exercised by any two or three. This grace is expressed through their mutual agreement, but it is not tied to a formal college of disciples as such. Where even two or three of Christ’s disciples are present, he promises to be in their midst with his Spirit and his wisdom—a promise fulfilled after Pentecost. Scripture records deviations by individual disciples, but never a collective error.1
Moreover, Matthew 18:19—just like, for example, Matthew 18:14—bears significance apart from the reason why it appears here: Common prayer bears great fruit. The statement is quite remarkable, for on the one hand it speaks only of two, yet on the other hand it is extremely general—concerning anything they ask.
If two disciples, together, offer true prayer—that is, prayer which meets the conditions laid down by Jesus—and they ask for something, whatever it may be, it will be heard and answered in heaven. The Father grants it.2
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.