[Dr. Eckleburg]

The Church had its elected elders from the beginning.

As a Presbyterian, I believe the church still has elected elders. These elected elders govern the earthly body of the church; they do not dispense God's grace; they are not infallible in any way; they are not "another Christ;" they are not required to remain in some kind of anti-life monasticism; and they are not the final authority which belongs to God and His word alone.

That's why Protestant "clergy" have no apostolic authority, and that's why their "churches" are not churches.

LOL. According to the anti-Scriptural legalisms of Rome and the EO.

According to God's word...

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." -- Matthew 18:20

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

Here’s a link to a book that closely examines what the Scripture says about the structure and function of the NT church - not comfortable for most SBC pastors, likely true for many others. http://www.antonbosch.com/books.html

[Marysecretary]

You can slap them right in the face with the Word of God and it doesn’t matter. They have a few favorite verses they’ve twisted to suit their religious beliefs, which is funny because they don’t really seem to believe that God’s Word is all that important in the scheme of things. LOL.

[kosta50]

As a Presbyterian, I believe the church still has elected elders

Too bad you don't recognize their apostolic authority.

These elected elders govern the earthly body of the church

Correct.

they do not dispense God's grace

Agree.

they are not infallible in any way

Agree.

are not "another Christ"

No they are not "another " Christ, but they are the icons (an image) of Christ. (we don't worship images)

they are not required to remain in some kind of anti-life monasticism

Agree that they are not required. Those who live monastic lives do so on their own choice. Monastic life is not anti-life; it's probably closer to what we will be doing in heaven. :)

and they are not the final authority which belongs to God and His word alone

True. The problem is who interprets the word of God? Every Tom, Dick and Harriette?

According to God's word..."For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." -- Matthew 18:20

Random verse generator again. That verse says nothing about the authority. You are quoting out of context.That verse has been quoted and re-quoted ad nauseum. What does it mean? That Christ requires a "quorum?" One believer is not enough?

Christ is making a reference (Mat 18:16)

"But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED

Every fact? We won't go into this sweeping generalization now, but it's rather naïve to believe that this is so

which comes from Deut 19:16 which reads

"A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed"

And in verse 17 Christ says

"If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector."

In other words, excommunicate them! Also, so much for including Gentles in the "branch" of Israel.

And then he says (Mat 18:18)

Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven

Whoa!! WHO is He talking to? The crowds? Naw. Oh no, He is talking to the disciples (verse 1), not Tom, Dick and Harriette. He just gave the all the keys to bind and loosen, and promises that whatever they (the select ones, the clergy) bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.

So, when a priest blesses you, he is not dispensing grace; the heaven is, because Christ promised it to his priesthood. If you don't believe it, then you don;t believe the entire Bible. Welcome to the club! :)

So, then your verse (20) in context is in relation to the clergy because He makes the distinction between them and the whole Church (v.17).