Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

Our Saviour follows His lessons of instruction with a promise that if two
or three should be united in asking anything of God it should be given them.
Christ here shows that there must be union with others, even in our desires
for a given object. Great importance is attached to the united prayer, the
union of purpose. God hears the prayers of individuals, but on this occasion
Jesus was giving especial and important lessons that were to have a special
bearing upon His newly organized church on the earth. There must be an
agreement in the things which they desire and for which they pray. It was not
merely the thoughts and exercises of one mind, liable to deception; but the
petition was to be the earnest desire of several minds centered on the same
point.
The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was
organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world.
From the beginning it has been God's plan that through His church shall be
reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the
church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light,
are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the
grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest,
even to "the principalities and powers in heavenly places," the final and full
display of the love of God.
Paul Directed to the Church for Instruction
Many have the idea that they are responsible to Christ alone for their
light and experience, independent of His acknowledged followers in the
world. But this is condemned by Jesus in His teachings and in the examples,
the facts, which He has given for our instruction. Here was Paul, one whom
Christ was to fit for a most important work, one who was to be a chosen
vessel unto Him, brought directly into the presence of Christ; yet He does not
teach him the lessons of truth. He arrests his course and convicts him; and
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