| Deeds and Doctrines of the Nicolaitanes... [message #7429] |
Thu, 28 October 2010 13:25  |
 james
Messages: 2137
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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I am studying the message to the seven churches, Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. What I'm trying to understand is, what are the 'deeds of the Nicolaitanes'(Rev.2:6) and 'the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes'(Rev.2:15) There's some much in these seven messages written to those seven churches that can be instructional for our lives (actually, all of it) as well as the revealing of what God promises for those who will overcome. We know that the letters were for seven literal churches that where located in those seven cities in Asia during that time in history; but we also know that the warnings, instructions, and promises speak to the churches of today as well as to individuals today.
One thing that I'm not sure of and that is the doctrines and deeds of the Nicolaitanes, I do know that whatever they are, God HATES them. I did look over the outline GWB posted of the study of Revelation by Bro. Freeman and he mentioned it as being the hierarchy in the churches that sets the clergy above the laity. I spent an hour or so reading different commentaries from various web sites and I see there isn't a consensus on just what the Nicolaitianes believed and practiced.(imagine that, Christians not agreeing on scriptural interpretation) I find some believe that it was the pratice of some in the church placing themselves above others as clergy/laity. Someone suggested it was the bondage of legalism. And then I found some saying that it was the false doctrine of eternal security or universal salvation(ALL men ultimately saved).Then there was the opinion that they celebrated the traditions of men with such things as Xmass, Eastar, and other pagan holy days.
Does anyone have any clearer understanding of just what were the 'deeds' and 'doctrines' of the Nicolaitanes? One thing that is clear, God hates it...so I want to be diligent to take heed to the warnings and to also hate those doctrines and deeds...
btw:the doctrine of Balaam is explained in Rev.2:14 but the false prophetess, Jezebel also teaches and seduces people to do the same thing. Rev. 2:20 I think one has to understand what a false doctrine or deed is in order to hate it.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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