Matthew 18:20; 28:20 – Jesus’ Presence With Us

Matthew 18:20 – For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them. — World English Bible translation

Matthew 28:20 – “Teaching them to observe all things which I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. — World English Bible translation

The scriptures above are often presented as proof that Jesus is omnipresent, that he is everywhere present. Many trinitarians assume that since Jehovah has the ability to be present anywhere in the universe, that this is attribute that that only belongs to God Almighty, and then they further assume that since Jesus also shares this alleged incommunicable attribute of God, and thus by these assumptions claim these assumptions as proof that Jesus is God Almighty.

Neither of the above scriptures actually say anything to the effect that Jesus is present everywhere all the time at the same time. That Jesus has been given by his God the power to be present in more than one place, however, is in agreement with the scripture, and we do not have any reason to deny such. (Matthew 28:18; Luke 10:22; John 3:35; 5:22-27; 1 Corinthians 15:27) As the one appointed by God as “Lord” over the church (Acts 2:36; 10:42; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 1:9; 3:2), Jesus would of necessity need the ability to be present in some way with his followers.

And yet the scriptures also say:

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord [evidently the Holy Name has been changed here to “the Lord”],
Acts 3:20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you–even Jesus.
Acts 3:21 He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. — New International Version.

“God” in Acts 3:19 designates only person as “God”, not three. Peter distinguishes this one person who is “God” from Jesus. In the context, this God is identified as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that is, Jehovah. (Exodus 3:14,15) Hebrews 1:1,2 identifies the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, not as being Jesus, but rather as only one person, the God and Father of Jesus.

Nevertheless, Acts 3:19-21 reveals that in some way Jesus remains in heaven until the times of restoration of all things. How is it that Jesus has been present with his followers since he ascended? The scriptures indicate that he is present by means of the holy spirit, which spirit was given to Jesus by God. — 1 John 3:24; 4:13; Acts 1:4; 2:33; John 15:26; See also: John 14:17,26; Acts 1:5,8; 9:31; Romans 8:1,9-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 3:3; 12:18; Philippians 2:1; 2 Timothy 1:14.

Throughout the Gospel age during which Jehovah has been developing a people for his name through Christ (Acts 15:13-17), Jesus has been with his followers as a sympathetic high priest. (Hebrews 4:14-16) Jesus is always there to assist all whom his God and Father calls. -- Matthew 28:20; Acts 18:10.

Jesus is their "advocate" (1 John 2:10). Jesus is with his followers to provided whatever aid is needed to develop the spiritual growth of those called. Jesus' advocacy, does not require a physical presence, but this is all accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit of Jesus' God. -- Micah 5:4; John 14:16-8,26.

The Bible, however, never presents Jesus as possessing the incommunicable attribute of being the Most High, the "one God" of whom are all. (1 Corinthians 8:6) Jesus is the Son of the Most High; he is not the Most High of whom he is the Son.  -- Genesis 14:22; Psalm 7:17; 83:18; 92:1; Luke 1:32; John 13:16.