Post by Sunnysnet on May 26, 2004 10:16:17 GMT -5
Nicolaitans
One of certain corrupt persons in the early church at Ephesus, who are censured in Rev. ii. 6, 15.
The doctrine of the Nicolaitans was mentioned in the Apocalypse of John to the churches of Pergamos and Ephesusof the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2.
It was a symbolic name of a party that represents the hierarchy of a ruling class over the rest of the people, developing a "pecking order" of fleshly leadership.
Yahshua hated this and warns the people to repent or else "I will come upon you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
The root of the word Nicolaitans comes from Greek nikao, to conquer or overcome, and laos, which means people and which the word laity comes from.
The two words together especially means the destruction of the people and refers to the earliest form of what we call a priestly order or clergy which later on in church history divided people and allowed for Leadership other than those led by the spirit of the risen Yahshua Messiah .
A good translation of Nicolaitan would be "those who prevail over the people." This clerical system later developed into the papal hierarchy of priests and clergy lording over the flock.
The Church of Ephesus was commended for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans. The wrong separation of the clergy from the laity is a great evil in God's sight and He hates the lust for religious power.
There is an ungodly spiritual authority in the Church today, which is nothing more than the prideful spirit of control, manipulation, domination and intimidation and a rebellion of the rightful authority of God.
Faithful believers who have put on Yahshua, are all Yahweh's laity.
Feed the flock of Yahweh which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind. Neither as being lords over Yahweh's heritage but being examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.
Shepherds serve the sheep but the wolves that clothe themselves with so-called leadership and spiritual authority serve themselves, thinking that they serve God.
In essence, this makes them false christs.
Early church leaders were established as overseers, not a ruling hierarchy.
One of certain corrupt persons in the early church at Ephesus, who are censured in Rev. ii. 6, 15.
The doctrine of the Nicolaitans was mentioned in the Apocalypse of John to the churches of Pergamos and Ephesusof the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2.
It was a symbolic name of a party that represents the hierarchy of a ruling class over the rest of the people, developing a "pecking order" of fleshly leadership.
Yahshua hated this and warns the people to repent or else "I will come upon you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
The root of the word Nicolaitans comes from Greek nikao, to conquer or overcome, and laos, which means people and which the word laity comes from.
The two words together especially means the destruction of the people and refers to the earliest form of what we call a priestly order or clergy which later on in church history divided people and allowed for Leadership other than those led by the spirit of the risen Yahshua Messiah .
A good translation of Nicolaitan would be "those who prevail over the people." This clerical system later developed into the papal hierarchy of priests and clergy lording over the flock.
The Church of Ephesus was commended for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans. The wrong separation of the clergy from the laity is a great evil in God's sight and He hates the lust for religious power.
There is an ungodly spiritual authority in the Church today, which is nothing more than the prideful spirit of control, manipulation, domination and intimidation and a rebellion of the rightful authority of God.
Faithful believers who have put on Yahshua, are all Yahweh's laity.
Feed the flock of Yahweh which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind. Neither as being lords over Yahweh's heritage but being examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.
Shepherds serve the sheep but the wolves that clothe themselves with so-called leadership and spiritual authority serve themselves, thinking that they serve God.
In essence, this makes them false christs.
Early church leaders were established as overseers, not a ruling hierarchy.