Its a new breed, but then again, its not a new breed at all. A bible study focused on who are the nicolaitans in the book of revelation will provide a starting place for study. First, nicolaos may have nothing to do with nicolaitan doctrine. The nicolaitans likely enjoyed conquering and subduing others. Is the hatred only because the nicolaitans were teaching the doctrine of balaam. Revelation 2 mentions the doctrine of balaam, the doctrine of the nicolaitans. Split into two sections, the first part of the book looks at submission to authority and the second part looks at wielding authority. Are there nicolaitans, today, who play a role in the story of gods church. The doctrine of the nicolaitans periodically, i will be posting brief commentaries on various topics related to the publication of my book these prophets and the revelation mindstir media, 20.
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the nicolaitans, which i also hate. L esson 11 understanding spiritual authority in this lesson, we will study what is known in many evangelical churches as spiritual authority. Not every name in the bible is significant spiritually. Doctrine or teaching of the nicolaitans and church government. Jesus warned us about nicolaitan leaders in his letter to the church in pergamum. To the angel of the church of ephesus write, these things says he who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands. But the doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of christ has made the law of god of no effect. The name nicolaitans is derived from the greek word nikolaos, a compound of the words nikos and laos. The exchange became slightly heated, but in the end, the point i was trying to make from the very beginning, was that what had been in the letter to the church at ephesus, the deeds of the nicolaitans, had by the letter of the pergamos church, become the doctrine of the nicolaitans.
The nicolaitan gospel, the doctrine of balaam, and the last church duration. The lord commends the ephesian church for hating the deeds of the nicolaitans, whereas he has against the church in pergamos, those who hold to the nicolaitan teachings which he hates. Simon peter replied, you are the christ, the son of the living god. The doctrine of the nicolaitans is something jesus says that he hates revelation 2. The nicolaitans of the book of revelation true discernment. When these two words are compounded into one, they form the name nicolas, which literally. Oct 17, 2008 why does god hate the practices of the nicolaitans. It is the same authority that jesus had, he spoke as a man having authority, but he did not speak on his own authority on earth but only the authority his father had given him. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the nicolaitans. The spirit of the nicolaitans deteriorates the structure of the church body by attempting to create subordinates rather than brothers and sisters.
Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the nicolaitans, which thing i hate. Otherwise, how can we ever learn what authority is. Does the bible give any one individual spiritual authority over another individual. Nicolaitans commentary a testimony of jesus christ. And then, leaving christ, they willfully commit sin. Personally, i believe that jesus hatred towards the works of the nicolaitans was particularly due to the doctrine of balaam. They seem to have held that it was lawful to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication, in opposition to the decree of the church rendered in acts 15. The nicolaitans were also called balaamites, after balaam who in the book of numbers caused the moabites to tempt israel to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and engaging in baal worship which involved having sex orgies before carved genitalsnaked statues of a man and a woman. Ireneus and hippolytus, two leaders in the early church who recorded many of the events that occurred in the earliest recorded days of church history, said the nicolaitans were the spiritual descendants of nicolas of antioch, who had been ordained as a deacon in acts 6. Another look at the nicolaitans 115 rites and ceremonies which are without new testament authority. These keys can be seen as a symbol of power and governing authority. I never read without first saying a prayer to ask for guidance and revelation. The nicolaitans used the grace of god as an excuse for the violation of gods moral law. In churches where the topic is not taught or discussed, some sincere followers of.
Jesus warned us about nicolaitan leaders in his letter to the church in. Clearly, the nicolaitans played a major negative role in the early history of the church. You hate the practices of the nicolaitans, which i also. We must understand these doctrines and behaviors to fully understand the biblical warnings.
Some churches do a good job of dealing with spiritual authority, but others do not. This time, jesus specifies that he hates their doctrine. Nicolaitans were one of the heretical sects that plagued the churches at ephesus and at pergamum, according to revelation 2. The lord declared that he hated the doctrine of the nicolaitans and so must the saints revelation 2.
Nicolaitans also appeared to eat food offered to idols, which acts appears to decree against. If those people abuse that authority, shame on them, and god will judge them for it. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the nicolaitans, which thing i hate. The nicolaitans disobeyed the command issued to the gentilechurches, by the apostolic council held at jerusalem in 4950 ad, that they should refrain from the eating of things sacrificed to idols. So the real question on spiritual authority is not does it exist, but how is it to be exercised. When opening any nee book, it can be overwhelming on an intellectual and spiritual level. But this is the doctrine of the nicolaitans, which christ so unsparingly condemned. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers acts 2. While many might find the title to be ironic, arguing that few books are more hidden or veiled, it is an appropriate one, for it truly. Criswell sermon library the doctrine of the nicolaitans. The content of the book is a comprehensive study in biblical prophecy.
Now we are going to turn to the second chapter of the book of the revelation, and the title of the sermon this morning is the doctrine of the nicolaitans in our preaching through the bible and through the book and through the revelation, we are come to the third church, the church at pergamos. A slave brought under this kind of authority is always distraught and nervous because of the great responsibility and expectations to please his master. Jan 23, 2012 they are the spiritual descendants of the nicolaitans who still teach the same heresy, and conduct the same abominations, recorded 19 centuries ago, by apostolic authors of the new testament. The adherents were called nicolaitans, nicolaitanes, or nicolaites. Christ hates the deeds of the nicolaitans the crisis unfolding in america today by jeremy james give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Jul 09, 2000 the spirit of the nicolaitans deteriorates the structure of the church body by attempting to create subordinates rather than brothers and sisters. As we began taking a closer look at a first century heretical sect called the nicolatians, there emerges.
Lord, after what ive read today, i dont want to allow any spirit of compromise in my life. The strongs hebrew and greek dictionary says the nicolaitans mentioned in revelations 2. Now we are going to turn to the second chapter of the book of the revelation, and the title of the sermon this morning is the doctrine of the nicolaitans. Apr 17, 20 jesus said he hated the nicolaitans because of their deeds. But this is the doctrine of the nicolaitans, which christ so unsparingly condemned in the book of revelation. Lets look more closely at this pernicious doctrine. Nicolaitans commentary using a testimony of jesus christ. Does the bible give any one individual spiritual authority. This doctrine taught that only those who served as the official clergy were the ones who could hear, understand, and knew what god was saying to the people. Doctrine of nicolaitans redeeming grace ministries. The fight we help to lead against gay christian doctrine is nothing new to the church.
Photo by jesper aggergaard on unsplash nicolaitan apostles are rising. Who were the nicolaitans, and what was their doctrine and deeds. It has, through the centuries since its founding on calvary by christ, fought valiantly against many forms of false christianoriented doctrines. I now understand that the doctrine of the nicolaitans is compromise with the world. The nicolaitans disobeyed the command issued to the gentilechurches, by the apostolic council held at jerusalem in 4950 ad, that they should refrain from the eating of things sacrificed to idols ac 15. Our spiritual life is separate from our physical life. The first time they appear is in gods spiritual assessment of the ephesian church. What were their teachings and doctrines that jesus so abhorred, and in what way are they connected with the doctrines of salvation by grace alone without bearing fruit of salvation by grace and works and once saved always saved. Surprisingly, the nicolaitans are only referenced twice in scripture, both of which are in the book of revelation. Christ hates the deeds of the nicolaitans zephaniah. In the book of revelation it is both the deeds and the doctrine of the nicolaitans, who affected two separate churches, that the lord addresses. Before we start studying why jesus hates the works of the nicolaitans, we should see what the nicolaitans represented and what they taught.
They claimed as their founder nicolas, a proselyte of antioch and one of the seven deacons of the congregation of jerusalem acts 6. So the doctrine of once saved always saved has no scriptural support. So, what, exactly, was the teaching of the nicolaitans. Nicolaitans have drawn a great deal of scholarly debate, because much known about the group still lies in obscurity. The doctrine of the nicolaitans is still practiced today when we exalt or elevate a priest, pastor, elder, bishop, fivefold minister, or clergy member to a hierarchal position of rank, authority and power over the other members of the family of god. In the bible, among many questions, the commonly asked question is about the doctrine or teaching of the nicolaitans and about church government.
And yet, one of the most unfortunate features of all this is that there are those in the christian church who do not hold the doctrine of the nicolaitans, but who practice their deeds of dominating the laity by lording it over the church of jesus christ, which should be subject only to one divine master. Authority is a tremendous thing in the universe, nothing overshadows it. The books of john, 1 cor, gal, col, 1 and 2 tim, jude, and 1 john all. The deeds and doctrine of the nicolaitans, and the deeds and doctrine of current christian preaching and teaching, are, in numerous instances, one and the same. In the greek language, nicolaitan means conquer nikao the people laos. God has given us authority over spiritual wickedness in high places, we have the authority to cast out demons, to bring down the high places and bring down strongholds. The word nikos is the greek word that means to conquer or to subdue.
Nicolaism was an early christian sect mentioned twice in the book of revelation of the new testament. For this reason many bible scholars believe that the spiritual character of the. It allows for sensual sins being considered irrelevant to our spiritual growth and life. So you also have those who hold the teaching of the nicolaitans. And the doctrine of balaam will, in many instances, be proclaimed by those holding to the doctrine of the nicolaitans.
Spiritual, also defined by webster, says, pertaining to spirit or renewed nature of man. So putting these together, we see that spiritual authority means power derived through respect or esteem or influence of character, pertaining to the spirit or renewed nature of man. One of the major condemnations are the deeds of the nicolaitans. The requirements of decency and order, under which an attempt is made to justify some of the latter extravagances, are actually of a much more modest nature, and by those seeking spiritual worship. How many believers and even pastors and evangelists of our day have fallen into adultery or are watching pornography on the internet. Nicolaism also nicholaism, nicolaitism, nicolationism, or nicolaitanism was an early christian sect mentioned twice in the book of revelation of the new testament. Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.
The nicolaitans are mentioned as a licentious sect in the apocalypse 2. They were considered heretical by the mainstream church. The doctrine of the nicolaitans, which thing i hate. Who are the nicolaitans mentioned in the book of revelation.
Today, the doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of christ has made gods law of no effect. He is supposed to have apostatized from the true faith. Books of the bible verse of the day bible in a year bible topics. Pharisaic christianity the doctrine of the nicolaitans. The deeds, doctrine, and spirit of witchcraft and control in todays church excerpt from the deceivers and false prophets among us book but this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the nicolaitanes means conquer the laity, which i also hateso hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the nicolaitanes, which thing i hate. Spiritual authority by watchman nee is a deep and wonderful read for the person who searches for something deeper with god. He commends them by stating that they hate the works of these people which he. Beware the doctrine of the modernday nicolaitan apostles. There has been an ungodly spiritual authority in the church throughout history, which is nothing more than the prideful spirit of control, manipulation, domination and intimidation over the flock and a rebellion of the rightful authority of god. Nicolaitans followers of nicolas, a sect mentioned in revelation 2.
They are the spiritual descendants of the nicolaitans who still teach the same heresy, and conduct the same abominations, recorded 19 centuries. Although its not out of the ordinary for god to hate practices of pagan groups, such as the child sacrifice of the canaanites leviticus 20. He commends them by stating that they hate the works of these people which he, too, also hates revelation 2. Spiritual authority by watchman nee living christian books. It is therefore important for us who desire to serve god to know the authority of god. By ger groenhart i would like to lay a foundation with a description of what i believe is the nicolaitan doctrine. Surprisingly little of substance is known concerning the nicolaitans only mentioned in scripture in the book of revelation.
Those who followed the doctrine of the nicolaitans assumed superiority over the people. And then, the nicolaitans, by satanic practices, spiritually removed christians from god. The doctrine of the nicolaitans, mentioned twice in johns discourse to the seven churches in revelation, is as prevalent in our churches today as it was then. The ascetic extreme could lead to pagan ascetic conduct like forbidding marriage or not eating meat and other neglect of healthy care of bodily activities. One such reference is made concerning a doctrine that is attributed to a group called the nicolaitans. Peter and jude use similar language in their books to counter the antinomian teaching extant in their congregations. Mike leads us through a bible study in this article to learn who are the nicolaitans mentioned in the bible book of revelation. His words were perversely interpreted by the nicolaitans as authority for their immoral practices.
The nicolaitans were a sect or party, which arose during the apostolic church period to challenge the truth taught by christ. That, in turn, depends on how one defines spiritual authority. They exercised authority and power over the people using the positional, top down hierarchy system. The word nicolaitans appears twice in the scriptures and is found in the book of revelation.
The emphasis on the nicolaitans being rulers of the peoplelaity is far stronger than that of the interpretation that says it is let us eaters, in light of pauls statement about the basic principles colossians 2. Spiritual babylon will be spread throughout the earth. What is the doctrine of balaam and also of the nicolaitans in the book of revelation. This was the reason jesus hated the doctrine and the deeds of the nicolaitans. The doctrine of the nicolatians part 1 gay christian. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you hebrews. Who were these nicolaitans, and why were their deeds to be hated. Such a restriction, though seemingly hard, in that it prevented the christian communities from joining in public festivals, and so brought upon. For the sake of profitability for the publishers who produce my books, im. Nicolaitans have drawn a great deal of scholarly debate, because much known. Immersed in pagan roman culture in that city, the sect of the nicolaitans may have attempted to woo the christians away from their religion, just as they had been wooed before. Such a restriction, though seemingly hard, in that it prevented the christian communities from joining in public festivals, and so. Irenaeus identifies them as followers of nicolas, one of the seven chosen in acts 6, and as men who lead lives of unrestrained indulgence1. You hate the practices of the nicolaitans, which i also hate.
This is a doctrine that will undoubtedly, as the doctrine of the nicolaitans, be more widely proclaimed in the latter days than at any other time in the history of the church. Who were the nicolaitans, and what was their doctrine and. Although this one doesnt seem like a major offense, in their context, they had committed a serious spiritual crime. Like the other men, stephen was of good report, filled with the holy spirit and wisdom. A bible study on spiritual authority douglas jacoby. They may have been identical with those who held the doctrine of balaam. Nicolaitans international standard bible encyclopedia. The book of revelation gives commendations and condemnations to the seven churches. Proceeding through the book of acts, however, it is apparent that this idyllic scene did not continue. Rick renner, author and pastor of good news moscow church, explains the spirit behind this doctrine succinctly. But i have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of balaam, who taught balak to put a stumbling block before the children of israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. The doctrine of the nicolaitans new vision ministries. Something that god hates in the book of revelation, the prophet john gives the churches a message from god in which they are either commended or rebuked for the way in which they are living out their faith. Spiritual authority of jesus apostles sons to glory.
Let us not see the man but only the authority vested in him. Although there are many opinions about the doctrine of the nicolaitans, the bible provides many clues about what it means. This false doctrine attempts to divide the body of christ into some form of a clergylaity system. Because the doctrines and the works of the nicolaitans caused spiritual injuries to christians by placing religious and social pressures upon the christians there to leave christ. We are on the wrong road if we meet man first before we obey authority. What is the doctrine of balaam and of the nicolaitans in. Jesus says in his letter to pergamum, but i have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of balaam, who taught balak to put a stumbling block before the children of. Although those involved in this teaching are well meaning, the nicolaitan doctrine has consequently has brought many under its bondage and control unaware. May 04, 2014 pastor jeff bryant discusses the doctrine of the nicolaitans and warns of the dangers that this doctrine poses to the church today. Jesus hates the works of the nicolaitans sermon index.
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