Revelation 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
Revelation 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
The word of God is the absolute that direct the path of every true seed. Nicolaitanism is a doctrine adopted into Christianity which has no root in the word of God.
Anything that has no root in God’s word is anti – (the word of God) or simply against Christ. The mystery of iniquity is this: That men put their will above the perfect Will of God. That mystery works in a man mentioned in the Bible as the man of sin or son of perdition. The scriptures out laid that he sitteth in the congregation making himself as God over the church. This is a sign of Apostasy.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
This is a character that is manifested in any church or organization that has fallen away from the Truth of God.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
To day many churches or organization will reject the fact of having fallen away from the Truth. The question is, will the pope and his organizations ever accept the fact that they are manifesting a trait of Antichrist?
God’s church is not an organization but an organism. Several unscriptural stands have been embraced in Christendom, even among so many churches who claimed to be in the light of the Message.
Apostle Paul made it clear that the one who plant a church and the one who waters are one. And that there should not be any variation among the brethren.
1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
3 :6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
Among the Early church, that started on the Day of Pentecost, apostle Peter was given a key and this key was manifested when he stood up to preach on the day of Pentecost. Some organisational churches usually use this as a reference point to support the wrong notion that Head Pastor or founder position existed.
Following the account of acts of apostles, apostle Peter never claimed any headship position over the Early church. There was a time when there was a dispute among the disciples, James quickly stood up and declared the counsel of God.
Acts 15:13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
The early church didn’t inhibit the leadership of the Holy Ghost by limiting it to only one man in whom all revelations come from. They honored each persons call, and gift given by the Holy Spirit. Peter will one time confess that Apostle Paul was given hard things to be understood.
2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Now in the early church, there is no denying the fact that there were elderly apostles who were in the Lord before others. Example apostle Paul clearly said that he didn’t receive his call from any man but according to the will of God. But when the need came, he compared his teaching with the teaching with the elderly apostles who were before him. (Gal 2:2)
Paul compared his revelation with men of reputation, does not mean that there were a Chief whom he was obligated. This, also dispute the fact that revelations should always come from headquarters. The enemy has capitalized on headquarters and lead so many churches in to nicolaitanism and organizations.
The prophet, William Braham told his elder to make his Tabernacle like a headquarters do not prove the fact that, it is biblical to have a headquarters. An actual headquarters that the bride can look on to is the Holy Spirit. The church is not an organization, nor an organized group or sect. Where a headquarters will be call for.
The church is a mystical body of Christ. Schism is a sign a sign of an Apostasy.
1 Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
This really tells that they respected each other’s call. Apostle Paul who proved to have several revelations and through whom several epistles were written, never made himself as the one who knows it all but submitted himself one to another.
2 Corinthians 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
(2 Corinth 12:11)Because the LORD Jesus Christ commanded them to clothe themselves with humility. And not to promote nicolaitanism or led in to promoting oneself as being the chiefest.
Mark 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
There is the fivefold ministry, which consists of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers. Each of this gift may be in fifty-fold, hundred-fold and others but that doesn’t put one above to gain pre-eminence over the other. Jesus Christ should be the prominence in all and head of the body.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.
This is the spirit who put ” Arch ” very, senior most, among the clergy.
The gifts and calling of God work in diverse ministrations but are led by the same spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Though in the vineyard, there are elderly men and men who are given double honor for their work in the vineyard of God, this should never pave way for nicolaitanism in the midst of Believers. This has promoted egoistic preachers who inspire fear and not faith in the camp of Believers. Many of these people, have use the honor given them to claim ownership over the assembly of believers which the LORD Jesus Christ has purchase with His own blood. No elect of God will claim ownership over God’s heritage. (Acts 20:28)
No wonder in this era of the End time, God is gathering his seed and so is the Enemy (Satan), also gathering the tares.
The LORD Jesus Christ in his subsequent letter to the seven churches forewarned the church against NICOLAITANISM. This doctrine of nicolaitanism is Antichrist. Because from the scriptural bases no man taketh this honor by himself as Aaron was. Jesus Christ took the manner not to glorify himself as such but was honored by the will of the Most High.
Hebrews 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he that said unto him, thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee.
Nicolaitane come from the word of Nicko, N-i-c-k-o. Nicko, which means “to conquer or to overthrow.” Nico-laitanes, “overthrow or conquer the laity.” In the early church history where God had pastors, and the Spirit of God moving by gifts in the Church of the living God, and, they were having a doctrine such that they were going to have some arc- bishops, and popes, and so forth.
That, God said, He hated! He hates it yet today what do we see? Nico-laitanes, (Nicko, “overcome”) or “overthrow the laity.” The laity is “the church.” To “Overthrow or conquer or take place of the laity.”
The laity, the Holy Spirit, taking out of the church… the resurrected Lord Jesus with signs and wonders among the believers, and put men voted in to be. In other words, an overseer trying to take the Holy Ghost away from the laity and give it to an order called the holy order of men, placing them over the laity.
Simply it is a doctrine that takes the Holy Ghost out as the Leader, and give them a holy order of men, and place them over the laity.
This doctrine has no root in the word of God but rather the Bible spoke against it all the time. If you are an elect of God, would not even dare putting an iota to God’s word.
Many a time you would see a little assembly springing up, at a little time they become so organized and develop into something else. Not taking its grounds on the word. This is the spirit which promotes hierarchical system among the ministers of God.
Jesus Christ said this to his disciples:
Mark 10:42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great one’s exercise authority upon them.
10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Jesus Christ taught his disciples never to assume anyone being the chiefest.
Mathew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. True servant of God of God never takes this honor for themselves and calling themselves names for you to know how holier or nearer they are to God.
Anyone who assume a position that belongs to Jesus Christ is standing on a dangerous ground.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.
You may call Jesus Christ the Chief shepherd. He is Apostle of apostles, Prophet of prophets, Teacher of teachers and more so the master of the flock.
1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
I therefore urge believers to really accord respect to servants of God and esteem them highly but not in a way of unbiblical grounds or tampering with the word of God.
An organizational spirit will lift a man and not Christ as being the head.
Some of these Nicolaitan names include Pope, Archbishop, Most Reverend, very most Reverend, General Overseer, Senior Pastor(founder), Founder and general Bishop, Chief Warrior and so forth , just to mention a few .
If Jesus Christ hates it, then flee from such heresy.
Shalom
BRO STEPHEN AWITTOR, CAPECOAST GHANA.
AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST 